History

Reverberations

The Sound of Rain Continues to Echo for Houston's Harvey Survivors

The storm left hundreds of Houstonians with PTSD, and public mental health is worsening as more extreme weather events persist as the norm.

06/09/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

The Spirit of the Montrose Is Alive(ish) on Lower Westheimer

A look at how the neighborhood’s vibrant artery has evolved over the decades.

05/23/2025 By James Glassman

Out and Proud

Listening to Hope and History with KPFT’s Queer Voices

The program has chronicled the past and present of Houston’s LGBTQ+ community for five decades, and it’s gearing up to be a critical element of the future.

05/13/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

Houston Astros Colors Tell the Story of the City Over the Decades

Astros critics hate to see us coming in our bright orange caps.

04/25/2025 By James Glassman

Trailblazer

Pioneering Chinese American Artist Gets Long-Overdue Retrospective

Hung Hsien studied under the last court painter in China and made abstract expressionism her own. Asia Society Texas is here to tell you what makes her groundbreaking.

04/23/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Reasons to Love Houston

Preserving Local LGBTQ+ History Is a Labor of Love

Houston is (still) at the core of Texas's queer culture and advocacy.

04/04/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

Our Highly Memeable Freeways Redefined Who’s a “Houstonian”

It’s true what they say: Houston is an hour from Houston.

03/28/2025 By James Glassman

Houstorian

Over 50 Years, Houstonians Have Shined on Saturday Night Live

From Patrick Swayze’s infamous Chippendales skit to President George H. W. Bush’s cameo.

02/14/2025 By James Glassman

The Must List

Bennett Road Blends Freedmen’s Town History with the Joy of Play

The partnership between Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and the Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy brings in brothers Michael and Martellus Bennett for a commentary on Black labor.

02/04/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

A Brief History of Houston’s Attempts at Flood Control

How two catastrophic floods in 1929 and 1935 shaped the Bayou City.

01/24/2025 By James Glassman

The Must List

Pueblo People Lead the Narrative at MFAH’s Grounded in Clay

The exhibit covers a millennia of Indigenous pottery, showcasing over 100 clay works handpicked by curators from all 19 Pueblo tribes.

01/02/2025 By Meredith Nudo

Bayougraphy

Legendary Swimmer Johnnie Means Is an Athletics and Civil Rights Hero

He desegregated competitive swimming three years before the Civil Rights Act and coached Houstonians through athletics and life for over 60 years.

12/09/2024 By Meredith Nudo

Ever Wonder Why…

What’s the Deal with Houston’s Blue Tile Street Signs, Anyway?

The iconic tiles had to come from somewhere. We asked Preservation Houston to tell us a little bit about how the legend was born.

12/02/2024 By Meredith Nudo

Local Lore

Forgotten Houston Dishes

Ura gonna love Ima Hogg 'n eggs.

11/27/2024 Illustrations by James Glassman

The Must List

Heritage Society’s New Exhibit Centers Karankawa History and Culture

Karankawa: An Enduring Culture of Texas educates visitors on Houston’s original inhabitants and addresses concerns regarding artifact ownership in the museum industry.

11/26/2024 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

The Funky Rice Village History You Didn’t Know

Houston’s shopping mecca wasn’t always home to fancy boutiques and eateries.

11/11/2024 By James Glassman

Ahoy

Everything We Learned on the Free Ship Channel Boat Tour

The 66-year-old Sam Houston Boat Tour takes visitors through the first seven miles of the Port of Houston, dredging up educational treasures along the way.

10/18/2024 By Meredith Nudo

Houstorian

25 Years Ago, Minute Maid Park Was a Feat in Historic Redevelopment

The abandoned Union Station became the blueprint for the new home of the Houston Astros, revitalizing a corner of downtown.

10/10/2024 By James Glassman

Ever Wonder Why…

Why Texas Is the Only State with Its Own Grid

Sure, it’s freedom, but is it sustainable? We look at the independent system’s frequent record of failure.

10/09/2024 By Uvie Bikomo

Ghost Busting

Haunted Places in the Houston Area to Get Spooked This Season

Only the bold dare embark on these haunts.

10/07/2024 By Uvie Bikomo