| Type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | German Free School |
| Location |
|
Publication | The GTHS Journal |
| Website | www |
The German-Texan Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of German Texans and promoting German culture throughout the state. [1] [2] [3]
The German-Texan Heritage Society was formed in 1978 by members of the annual Society for German-American Studies symposium. The organization moved into its current headquarters at the German Free School in downtown Austin in 1991. [3]
In 2010, the German-Texan Heritage Society was designated a Preserve America Steward by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. [1]
As of 2024, the German-Texan Heritage Society staff, a paid team which coordinates the organization's volunteer efforts, is helmed by executive director Christopher Markley. The society's board of directors is led by president Janis Gonser. [4]
The German-Texan Heritage Society offers German language instruction for children and adults.
In 2021, the society opened the German International School of Texas, a German language immersion school serving preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders. [5]
The German-Texan Heritage Society has offered German courses for children on Saturdays since 1995 and has since expanded to San Antonio. [6]
The German-Texan Heritage Society hosts yearly Maifest and Oktoberfest festivities as well as a Christmas market in Austin. [7] [8] [9] Additionally, the organization's annual meeting is held in a different Texas City each year. [3]
The society's headquarters at the German Free School is home to the Charles G. Trenckmann Family Library, which contains genealogy resources and other publications about German heritage in Texas. [10]