Galveston Historical Foundation

Morning Mimosa Harbor Tours
2026-05-02 10:15 - 11:15 (America/Chicago) | Galveston Historical Foundation, 2002 Strand, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Bubbles and Boats with a Splash of History

Start your day on the water with Morning Mimosa Harbor Tours, a refined extension of our Galveston Historic Harbor Tours. This relaxed morning cruise pairs complimentary mimosas with a history-rich exploration of Galveston Harbor, guided by Galveston Historical Foundation guides. You’re promised a tour experience rooted in history, accuracy, and fun on Galveston’s historic bay waters.

Trolley Tour of Historic Galveston
2026-05-02 09:00 - 11:00 | 1892 Bishop’s Palace, 1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Take a ride through history with Galveston Historical Foundation!

Step aboard a historic trolley for a guided ride through Galveston’s architectural legacy, featuring exterior views of homes showcased on the 52nd Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. As you travel through the island’s historic neighborhoods, #GalvestonHistory guides will highlight the styles, architects, and stories that shaped Galveston. This experience offers a relaxed, informative way to appreciate the beauty and history of these celebrated homes from the street.

Basement to Attic Tours of the 1892 Bishop's Palace
2026-04-25 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-18 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-11 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-28 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-21 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-14 11:00 - 12:30 | 1892 Bishop’s Palace, 1402 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Offering participants a rare look into parts of the National Historic Landmark that are typically off-limits, the 1892 Bishop’s Palace Basement to Attic Tours feature Mrs. Gresham’s studio. An exclusive third-floor view to a truly one of a kind panoramic of the Gulf of Mexico. Tickets are limited to 20 total guests and are $40 per person.
Built of stone and steel for the railroad magnate Walter Gresham and his family, this famous house was designed by Nicholas Clayton, Galveston’s premier Victorian-era architect. Bishop’s Palace is recognized as one of America’s finest examples of Victorian exuberance and Gilded-Age extravagance and is listed by the U. S. Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. The Bishop’s Palace Basement to Attic Tours are the best opportunity the public has to view all floors of the historic property.

Darrell Scott Live at the 1859 St. Joseph's Church
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | 1859 St. Joseph’s Church, 2202 Avenue K, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
A St. Joseph’s Debut!

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Darrell Scott mines and cultivates the everyday moment, taking the rote, menial, mundane, and allowing it to be surreal, ever poignant, and candidly honest, lilting, blooming, and resonating. The words he fosters allow us to make sense of the world, what is at stake here, and our place in it. And ultimately, Darrell knows the sole truth of life is that love is all that matters, that we don’t always get it right, but that’s the instinctive and requisite circuitous allure of things, why we forever chase it, and why it is held sacred.
After recently touring with Robert Plant and the Zac Brown Band (2 years with each), and producing albums for Malcolm Holcombe and Guy Clark and being named “Songwriter of the Year” for both ASCAP and NSAI, these days find him roaming his Tennessee wilderness acreage hiking along the small river, creating delicious meals with food raised on his property and playing music. He often leads songwriting workshops to help people tell their own truths with their stories, and is as busy as always writing, producing, performing, and just plain fully immersing himself in life.

Amanda Shires Live at the 1859 St. Joseph's Church
2026-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | 1859 St. Joseph’s Church, 2202 Avenue K, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
A truly singular creative force, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Amanda Shires has made an extraordinary career out of restlessly pursuing her deepest instincts and passions. Since getting her start playing fiddle with the legendary Texas Playboys at the young age of 15, the West Texas native has brought her nuanced songwriting and boundless originality to a series of critically acclaimed solo albums, collaborated with the likes of John Prine and Justin Townes Earle, and earned the 2017 Emerging Artist of the Year prize from the Americana Music Association (AMA). Amanda is also the founder of The Highwomen – a supergroup she performs in alongside Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile. She received unanimous praise for her album Take It Like A Man. Written and recorded during lockdown, Take It Like A Man is a fearless song cycle of ruthlessly candid tunes documenting Amanda’s life as a woman during a tumultuous time and features guest vocals by Maren Morris and Brittney Spencer. Her anticipated new album was released in the fall of 2025.

George Washington, Smallpox, and Leadership in the Revolutionary Era
2026-04-16 11:30 - 13:00 | 1859 Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, 77550, United States
In-person admission to Foundation Conversation lectures is FREE.
Galveston Historical Foundation members receive complimentary access to livestreams and archive access to all presentations through their GalvestonHistory+ account.
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW | The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. The recent COVID 19 pandemic reminded Americans how diseases can influence human events. Few Americans living today recognize how one of the deadliest diseases in human history, variola major, known as smallpox, contributed to nearly ending the American Revolutionaries’ push for independence. This lecture presentation examines General George Washington, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, attempts to manage and combat a smallpox crisis prior to ordering the first mass health inoculation mandate in U.S. history. This discussion details how Washington’s efforts to enforce an inoculation mandate demonstrated adaptable leadership to avert an increasing catastrophe. In ordering the mass inoculation of soldiers not previously infected with smallpox and collaborating with army doctors to create inoculation hospitals, the general discarded traditional quarantine methods he had previously stubbornly supported to treat smallpox. Washington’s support of army doctors’ mass inoculation measures strengthened his army’s capacity to win their independence and ensured the success of one of the most secretive military plans in American history. The mass inoculation of Washington’s army contributed to encouraging physicians to support inoculations and cowpox vaccinations within the new nation and reveals at present the importance of adaptability in crisis moments for future leaders.
ABOUT DR. SEAN HALVERSON | Dr. Sean C. Halverson is a historian of Early American military and political history with research interests in the American colonial and revolutionary era. He has taught a range of American history topics at the graduate and undergraduate levels at Alvin College, Mississippi State University, San Joaquin Delta College, and Alabama A & M University. Halverson’s currently teaches history courses at Alvin College, in Alvin, Texas. His most recent publications are published in the academic journals of Early American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Intelligence and National Security, and the Huntsville Historical Review. He has presented scholarly papers at national and regional conferences across the country. Halverson is originally from the Superior, Wisconsin, area near Lake Superior. When not teaching and working, he enjoys reading history, outdoor activities, ice-skating, biking, and hunting.

Fleet Week Parade Viewing
2026-04-15 07:30 - 22:30 | Galveston Historic Seaport, 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Climb Aboard SEAGULL II as we Welcome Visiting Ships

The inaugural Fleet Week Houston will bring multiple U.S. Navy vessels and more than 1,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to Houston for a series of events and experiences. This special harbor tour and on-the-water parade viewing highlights the visiting fleet as they pass by Galveston’s historic bay, making their way to Houston.
Fleet Week Houston is an official part of the U.S. Navy’s year-long 250th birthday celebration. The U.S. Marine Corps will also celebrate its 250th year during Fleet Week Houston on November 10.
Small coolers with food and drink are allowed. Please note that the parking lots along Harborside Drive will be closed for the event. Please plan for parking on The Strand or neighboring streets.

Thunderado and Friends - Strand Summer Series
2026-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Saengerfest Park, 2302 The Strand, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Galveston Historical Foundation invites you to enjoy historic downtown Galveston for the 2026 Strand Summer Series! These movie and music nights are located in The Strand’s principal parks and feature free-to-the-public concerts and movies from April through September. Performances are free to the public with on-site beer and wine, select vendors, and a reserved VIP area with reserved seating, complimentary drinks, meet and greets, and more.

ABOUT THUNDERADO AND FRIENDS | Led by Hunter Perrin and Paul Beebe, they draw on their collaborations with John Fogerty, Billy Gibbons, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Archie Bell and Roy Head to bring a tasty combo of American music with a Texas accent.

Smarty Pints Trivia Nights
2026-04-09 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Galveston Historic Seaport, 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL NOT HAVE SMARTY PINTS IN DECEMBER BUT WILL RESUME IN JANUARY OF 2026.

Think you’re the know-it-all of Galveston? Come flex those brain muscles and join us for a series of trivia nights supporting Galveston Historical Foundation and the Tall Ship ELISSA!

Held on the second Thursday of each month, our Smarty Pints Trivia Nights are all-ages evenings held at the Galveston Historic Seaport’s ELISSA Room. Craft beer and snacks will be available for purchase and we’ll open the gates at 6 for dockside access before heading up to test your smarts at 6:30.

Bring your besties, your brainiacs, and maybe even your “lucky guessers.” With categories ranging from local history to pop culture, there’s something for everyone.

Field of Dreams - Strand Summer Series
2026-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Hendley Green, 2028 Strand Street, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Galveston Historical Foundation invites you to enjoy historic downtown Galveston for the 2026 Strand Summer Series! These movie nights are held at Hendley Green and feature free films from April through September.
ABOUT FIELD OF DREAMS | Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by a voice he can’t ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true.

Genteel Junque
2026-03-20 - 2026-03-22 | The Depot on Market, 3304 Market, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
An array of antiques, furniture, home accessories, and more will be available for sale at Galveston Historical Foundation’s Genteel Junque sale of donated items. Held at The Depot on Market, 3304 Market, the sale will emphasize high-quality antiques, furniture, and art in good condition.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, March 20 | 6 – 8 p.m. | Free GHF Member’s Only Preview

Not a member? Join here or at the door.
Beer and wine are included in the evening.

Saturday, March 21| 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Free to the public
Sunday, March 22 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Free to the public

GHF asks community members to make tax-deductible donations of Victorian to Mid-Century Modern furniture or home goods to the Genteel Junque event. For more information, please contact Nick Barbee at 409-765-3461.
Proceeds from the sales of items benefit Galveston Historical Foundation. Incorporated in 1954, GHF is one of the nation’s largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, and stewardship of historic properties. Today, GHF has over 2,000 memberships representing individuals, families, and businesses across Texas, the US, and abroad, and exerts a profound impact on the culture and economy of the Island.
