1859 Ashton Villa

In this special lecture, join Dickens descendant Oliver for a dive into the rich and fascinating family history of Charles Dickens, weaving together personal stories, historical context, and lesser-known insights about one of literature’s most celebrated figures. This engaging presentation offers a unique perspective on Dickens’ legacy, connecting past to present through the eyes of […]

Join public historian Lily Comstive as she explores Galveston’s deep connections to World War I and the ways the island community chose to honor its fallen. In her lecture, “Supreme Sacrifice: Remembering the Great War in Galveston, Texas,” Lily will discuss the history and meaning of the city’s memorial efforts—including the Honor Roll Monument along […]

October 31, 2025, marks the 99th anniversary of famous escape artist Harry Houdini's death. On November 6, 1923, less than three years before he died, Houdini made his one and only appearance at Galveston’s Grand Opera House. But Houdini had been dreaming of coming to Galveston for years. His papers in the Library of Congress […]

The William J. Hill Texas Artisans and Artists Archive is a freely accessible online database that documents the lives and work of craftspeople working in Texas before 1900. This talk will provide an introduction to the archive and highlight the historic Galveston decorative arts and related resources digitized by the Hill Archive team. Some of […]