German-Texan Heritage Society. Promoting awareness and preservation of the German cultural heritage in Texas.

German Language Classes – Winter Semester 2012

The German-Texan Heritage Society will offer a 12-week Winter Semester of German language classes starting in January 2012. Classes for all levels will be offered in Austin, Brenham and Round Rock. Children’s classes will also be available in San Antonio. Click here for your local class information and registration form. If you have any questions please email programs@germantexans.org.

Part-time Teaching Opportunities

The German-Texan Heritage Society (GTHS) is currently seeking teachers to instruct our Saturday children’s classes (Samstagsschule) in San Antonio. Teachers do not need to be certified, but must be proficient German speakers with some teaching or tutoring experience.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: German Texan Heritage Society, PO Box 684171, Austin, TX 78768. For more information contact GTHS by email at programs@germantexans.org or by phone at (512) 482-0927.

Weddings and Private Events

The German Free School is Austin’s newest wedding and event space. Our beautiful terraced gardens are the perfect setting for exchanging vows before family and friends.

Contact Jean Warneke at our office for a tour of the antique filled building and colorful gardens.

Click here for more information.

2011 Membership Form Here – Join or renew now!

Please use our new 2011 Membership Form to join or renew your membership with the German-Texan Heritage Society. Thanks for doing your part to preserve this important part of our history.

GTHS Honored with Preserve America Steward Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – First Lady

of the United States Michelle

Obama has signed designation

letters for nine new Preserve

America Stewards, bringing the

total nationwide to 30.

―Preserve America Stewards

are volunteer programs that

have accomplished successful

efforts in preserving the nation’s

historic places,‖ said

Wayne Donaldson, chairman of

the federal Advisory Council on

Historic Preservation (ACHP).

―Historic preservation has always

relied upon motivated, active

volunteers who understand

that it is an individual as well as

community responsibility to

make certain that significant

historic places remain to enrich

and enlighten present and future

generations.‖

The new Preserve America

Stewards include the German-

Texan Heritage Society, in

recognition of its preservation

of the German Free School.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama has signed designation letters for nine new Preserve America Stewards, bringing the total nationwide to 30. “Preserve America Stewards are volunteer programs that have accomplished successful efforts in preserving the nation’s historic places,” said Wayne Donaldson, chairman of the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Historic preservation has always relied upon motivated, active volunteers who understand that it is an individual as well as community responsibility to make certain that significant historic places remain to enrich and enlighten present and future generations.

The new Preserve America Stewards include the German-Texan Heritage Society, in recognition of its preservation of the German Free School.

Oktoberfest 2009 Video

At the German Free School in Austin on a beautiful Saturday in late October 2009, we celebrated Oktoberfest with music, dancing, great German food and beer, fun activities for the kids and more! If you were able to participate you are probably looking forward to future festivals. If you missed this one, maybe the video at this link will spark your interest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGgJfjkVsYw

This video was professionally produced and generously donated to GTHS by Stephen Davis, owner of 5D Multimedia, the newest video production company in Austin! Check out his website at http://www.5dmultimedia.com and share with your friends.

Link Your Randall’s Card to GTHS

GTHS is enrolled in the Randall’s ‘Good Neighbor’ program, which means that the supermarket donates a percentage of sales made by shoppers who have linked their Randall’s card to our account. Your card can be linked to up to three charities of your choice. If you would like to participate, please fill out the ‘Good Neighbor Program’ form at the customer service booth. The form requires our charity number: 1298.

Volunteer Opportunities

The German-Texan Heritage Society relies on volunteers to keep all its events and activities going. Please check our volunteering page to see how you can get involved.

Weekly Stammtisch & Open House

If you’re in Austin, please join us every Thursday at noon for our Stammtisch at the German Free School. Tours of the building are available until 4:00 pm. (more)

Are You A Reader?

The Library Committee has designated every Thursday as Used Book Sale Day at the German Free School building. Books will be for sale between 1 and 4 p.m. If Thursday is inconvenient, just call the GTHS ofﬁce at (512) 482-0927 to arrange an appointment to browse our bookshelves. The books are mostly sold by donation (some books may be priced) and all proceeds beneﬁt the Trenckmann Memorial Library. Most of the books are in German, but some are in English. They include novels, poetry, books on history, politics, philosophy and gardening, cookbooks and materials for German teachers. Please join us and browse the shelves.