FREE to the public, this lecture is presented by Dallas Heritage Village and the Dallas Goethe Center
Dr. Kenneth Hafertepe, a Dallas native, professor of Museum Studies, and chair of the Department of Museum Studies at Baylor University, and author of six books, will give an illustrated lecture, “Preserving German Texan Heritage” on Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m., in Browder Springs Hall, Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Hafertepe is the author of two acclaimed books on German Texan heritage: The Historic Buildings of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County (2015) and The Material Culture of German Texans (2016), both published by Texas A&M University Press. The Texas State Historical Association recently awarded The Material Culture of German Texans the Ron Tyler Award for Best Illustrated Book on Texas History and Culture. This book will be the focus of his lecture.
“We are excited and honored to partner with the Dallas Heritage Village,” said Christine Dunton-Tinnus, executive director, Dallas Goethe Center, Inc. “Having experts such as Kenneth Hafertepe speak at our events allows us to fulfill our mission and develop an understanding as well as appreciation of German history and culture.”
“Dallas Heritage Village is thrilled to welcome Dr. Hafertepe, a longtime supporter and colleague,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “Texas is home to so many diverse cultures, and we are always delighted to highlight some of these immigrant groups. The German influence is certainly one of the most prevalent and can be seen in our collection.”
His talk will cover the distinctive style that was created by German immigrant craftsmen between 1845 and 1885 as well as the ways in which Germans preserved aspects of their culture even as they embraced the ways of their new homes in Texas. He will also discuss the heroic work done by collectors and museums – such as Dallas Heritage Village – to preserve German Texan heritage, and also the challenges that museums and historic sites face in the 21st century.
Copies of Hafertepe’s books will be for sale after the talk. For more information, visit www.dallasheritagevillage.org.
Also on this day, Preservation Dallas and Dallas Heritage Village are hosting an Architecture Scavenger Hunt from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. with free admission. The Village features 21 historic buildings which educate visitors about life in North Texas from the mid-1800s to early 1900s. Teams of up to six are allowed to participate, and families are encouraged to join in the fun. Participants who go on the hunt will be entered into drawings for prizes to be given out at the event. Register for the Scavenger Hunt at the main entrance. The Hunt will begin at 12:45 and end at 2:15 with prizes given out then.
“May 21 is going to be an exciting day at Dallas Heritage Village,” added Prycer. “Mark your calendar and come explore history with us!”