From the days of the Republic, German immigrants left a distinctive mark on the architecture and lifeways of Texas that is still evident today. In his award-winning book, Kenneth Hafertepe shares a decade of research examining how German culture was adapted to everyday life in rural, small-town and urban settings from East Texas to the Hill Country.

“To understand the way in which German material culture became Texan and then American is to understand the way in which these people refashioned themselves, their families and their communities,” Hafertepe writes.

During his History in Print presentation, the author will use many of the book's 300 original color photographs to illustrate the evolution and influence of German culture in Texas with a particular focus on architecture.

Kenneth Hafertepe chairs the Department of Museum Studies at Baylor University. He holds a docotorate in American civilization from The University of Texas at Austin and has written several books on significant historic buildings in Texas.

The Material Culture of German Texans is an outstanding Weihnactsgeschenk (Christmas present) for anyone interested in Lone Star history, architecture and culture. The author will be signing his book after his presentation. The Material Culture of German Texans will be available for purchase at the event for $50 including sales tax. Book sales at the event benefit Preservation Houston.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin Street at Southmore.

Admission to History in Print is free for Preservation Houston members and members of First Unitarian Universalist Church. Admission is $5 for the general public.

Free parking is available on the streets surrounding First Unitarian Universalist Church and in the parking lots in the 5100 block of Fannin behind Origin Bank and the Mann Eye Institute. 

If you have any questions, please e-mail or call (713) 510-3990.