Every Thursday 3-6pm and Sunday 9am-12 noon (note new summer hours), Galveston’s Own Farmers Market is held at The Bryan Museum Gardens, located at 1315 21st St. Come to the beautiful Conservatory and botanical gardens to relax and enjoy time and conversation with friends, family, and museum staff while shopping for locally grown produce, prepared foods, and edible farm products, plus live music, yoga, massage, crafting and Kids Corner!
The Thursday market features all of the perks that you’ve come to expect at the market plus the added charms of the Bryan Museum’s “Wine at the Bryan” weekly event. The Sunday market also features wonderful goods and the charm of Bryan’s courtyard. It is always free to browse and most events are FREE to participate.
At every market, there will be:
- Live music
- A chance to learn more about The Bryan Museum
- FREE recycling with Keepin’ It Green: Every week, they accept your clean, rinsed recyclable plastics, glass, aluminum and paper/cardboard. KIG comes to pick it up every week aftermarket.
- Family-friendly activities sponsored by partners like Rosenberg Library, Galveston Island State Park, Galveston Island Humane Society, etc.
GOFM is always “BYOC” – bring your own cup. They have eliminated single-use cups for the free Sunday morning coffee station and Thursday water station. Support the initiative by cleaning out your cupboards and donating unwanted mugs to market for others to use.
Every Sunday (10am): Yoga Classes – These classes are led by local yoga teachers. All classes are free to attend.
May 12th (9am): Mother’s Day Brunch – Enjoy a hearty brunch, music and more in Menard Hall, then take a tour of Galveston’s oldest residence, the 1838 Menard House! This Galveston Historic Homes Tour event will also include a ticket to the 45th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour and always sells out. Tickets are $70. This will be held at Menard Hall, 3302 Avenue O.
Become a Galveston Bay warrior and uncover life on and in the bay waters.
Come join one of our weekly explorations of the connections between the mainland and our island paradise – Galveston Bay. Sandy beach access to the calm waters of this seafood nursery abound with life! Meet our naturalist guides at the Lake Como Fishing area at 10:00 am; explorations last approximately 75 minutes.
Discover the wetlands with a close-up look at the critters, grasses and birds that inhabit the marshland and bay. Tour activities include hands-on-seining, fiddler crab sightings and more under the guidance of FoGISP (Friends of Galveston Island State Park) volunteers.
Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s incredible architectural history through public tours of privately-owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour.
Tours will be held on May 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th from 10am- 6pm. Tickets are available online at galvestonhistory.org for non-members at $30 until May 3rd, and then for $35 until May 12th. Members of Galveston Historical Foundation can purchase specially priced $25 tickets by calling (409)765-3405 or by visiting any of GHF’s retail locations.
“Our annual Historic Homes Tour highlights some of the best preservation projects on the island. This year we recognize more than forty-five years of preserving historic Galveston,” explains Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director. “There are few places in the country that have our quality and supply of historic properties. It’s what makes the island unique and a treasure for all who visit. Come help put more of the island into use and save your own small piece of history.”
2019 Homes on Tour
August Roemer Tenant House, built 1873: 1416 Sealy
August Roemer built this one-and-one-half-story Gulf Coast cottage with triple dormers in 1873 for use as rental property. The center-hall house features a notable entry with double doors and transom, turned balusters, and square porch columns. Roemer sold the house in 1879 to Julius and Elizabeth Ruhl, who used it as tenant property and a residence for extended family.
James and Amelia Byrnes House, built c.1881: Rehabilitation in Progress House: 2113 Ball Street
In 1883, paving and roofing contractor James Byrnes purchased this lot with an existing building. Byrnes “improved” the house in 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1895. Located adjacent to Galveston’s business district, the Byrnes House was used as an example of urban decay in 1969 during a city referendum on urban renewal. The current owners purchased the house in 2013 and began rehabilitation of the property.
Conrad and Henrike Lenz House, built 1887: 1807 Avenue L
Conrad Lenz built this center-hall, side-gable house with double dormers for use as his family residence. He and his wife, Henrike Pruessner, both emigrated from Germany to Galveston where they were married at First Lutheran Church. Lenz, a butcher, operated a shop and smokehouse next door, on the corner of 18th Street.
Allen and Lulu Cameron House, built 1891: 1126 Church Street
English born architect Henry Collier Cooke of the firm Bourgeois Nitchner & Cooke designed this two-story Victorian house for merchant Allen Cameron and his new bride, Lulu Aschoff. The house boasts an asymmetrical façade with double wrap-around galleries separated by a patterned shingle skirt, a decorative balustrade, and a widow’s walk. Cooke trained as an architect in England and Italy before he arrived in Galveston in 1891.
Lucas Terrace, built 1901-1908: 1407 Broadway
Brick mason and English immigrant Thomas Lucas erected this complex using salvaged bricks from his apartment building at 6th and Broadway destroyed by the 1900 Storm. Constructed between 1901 and 1908, Lucas Terrace features two connected gable-front three-story buildings. A courtyard separates the main buildings from two detached two-story servant’s quarters on the south part of the property. When completed, the apartments were advertised as being “superior” to all others in the city.
Peter and Augusta Nielson House, built 1915: 1711 Rosenberg Avenue (25th Street)
Peter Nielson, a Danish-born merchant tailor, built this two-story brick house with details inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement for use as his private residence. A year after construction, Nielson died suddenly. His widow, Augusta, maintained the residence until 1929, when she moved to Houston to live with family.
Iocopo Niccolai Tenant House, built 1922: 2416 38th Street
Italian immigrant carpenter, Iacopo Niccolai, relocated this five-room bungalow, along with eleven others, in March 1938. Originally on 15th Street, Niccolai concentrated the twelve properties within the 2400 block of 38th Street, which he called “Niccolai Subdivision.” Niccolai utilized the block as rental property until his death in 1947.
Peter and Anna Serini House, built 1903, rebuilt 1923: 1810 Avenue N ½
Alexander McLellan, a Canadian immigrant and a foreman for Southwestern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company, moved to Galveston after the 1900 Storm. In 1902 he purchased this vacant lot, and in 1903 relocated an “old” house there. In 1913, Peter and Anna Serini purchased the property. The Serinis rebuilt the house in 1923, using “part old material,” according to the property’s original 1903 insurance record.
Events in conjunction with the Home Tours are HERE.
From the author of the book comes a wonderful tour and a riveting journey through the forgotten parts of downtown Galveston that were once bustling with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love.
Join renowned author and speaker Kimber Fountain as she brings to life the tales – both tragic and triumphant – of Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of The Line
Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family-friendly entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy of illegal liquor and gambling and an infamous red light district called simply, “The Line.”
This unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came to life every night and remained a stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years. In the late 1950s, the era was known as the “Free State of Galveston” finally came to an end, and today, almost all that remains of its history has been sensationalized and marginalized.
Galveston was more than just a city of “gangsters” and lewd women, and Kimber Fountain pursues the authentic, sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.
Tours are every Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com in advance or at the start of the tour (cash only).
Reservations are required for cash/onsite tickets, and both online ticket purchases and cash reservations must be made by 5pm the day of the tour.
The tour meets on the north steps of the old Galveston Post Office at 601 25th Street (corner of 25th and Church St.). Meet at the north steps located on Church Street side.
Tours begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early to ensure ample time to park and/or purchase onsite tickets. Due to mature content, this tour is strongly recommended for adults and older teens only. Tour content will not be censored for younger audiences, and teens and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info go to redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com, email GalvestonRedLightTours@gmail.com, call or text (409)526-6883. Reservations required.
From the author of the book comes a wonderful tour and a riveting journey through the forgotten parts of downtown Galveston that were once bustling with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love.
Join renowned author and speaker Kimber Fountain as she brings to life the tales – both tragic and triumphant – of Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of The Line
Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family-friendly entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy of illegal liquor and gambling and an infamous red light district called simply, “The Line.”
This unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came to life every night and remained a stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years. In the late 1950s, the era was known as the “Free State of Galveston” finally came to an end, and today, almost all that remains of its history has been sensationalized and marginalized.
Galveston was more than just a city of “gangsters” and lewd women, and Kimber Fountain pursues the authentic, sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.
Tours are every Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com in advance or at the start of the tour (cash only).
Reservations are required for cash/onsite tickets, and both online ticket purchases and cash reservations must be made by 5pm the day of the tour.
The tour meets on the north steps of the old Galveston Post Office at 601 25th Street (corner of 25th and Church St.). Meet at the north steps located on Church Street side.
Tours begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early to ensure ample time to park and/or purchase onsite tickets. Due to mature content, this tour is strongly recommended for adults and older teens only. Tour content will not be censored for younger audiences, and teens and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info go to redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com, email GalvestonRedLightTours@gmail.com, call or text (409)526-6883. Reservations required.
From the author of the book comes a wonderful tour and a riveting journey through the forgotten parts of downtown Galveston that were once bustling with wild parties and generous offerings of hourly love.
Join renowned author and speaker Kimber Fountain as she brings to life the tales – both tragic and triumphant – of Galveston’s Red Light District: A History of The Line
Known today as a colorful resort destination featuring family-friendly entertainment and a thriving arts district, Galveston was once notorious for its flourishing vice economy of illegal liquor and gambling and an infamous red light district called simply, “The Line.”
This unassuming five blocks of Postoffice Street came to life every night and remained a stubborn mainstay of the island cityscape for nearly seventy years. In the late 1950s, the era was known as the “Free State of Galveston” finally came to an end, and today, almost all that remains of its history has been sensationalized and marginalized.
Galveston was more than just a city of “gangsters” and lewd women, and Kimber Fountain pursues the authentic, sequestered story of women who wanted to make their own rules and the city that wanted to let them.
Tours are every Wednesday-Saturday starting at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com in advance or at the start of the tour (cash only).
Reservations are required for cash/onsite tickets, and both online ticket purchases and cash reservations must be made by 5pm the day of the tour.
The tour meets on the north steps of the old Galveston Post Office at 601 25th Street (corner of 25th and Church St.). Meet at the north steps located on Church Street side.
Tours begin promptly at 7pm. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early to ensure ample time to park and/or purchase onsite tickets. Due to mature content, this tour is strongly recommended for adults and older teens only. Tour content will not be censored for younger audiences, and teens and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info go to redlightdistricttoursofgalveston.com, email GalvestonRedLightTours@gmail.com, call or text (409)526-6883. Reservations required.
Hunt for coastal treasures with state park naturalists.
Beach Exploration hikes start at the park’s Day Use Beach boardwalk (adjacent to the restrooms and parking lot.)
Get a close-up look at the many critters and birds that inhabit the sand, surf and seaweed. This Saturday tour includes hands-on seining, searching for ghost crabs and beachcombing under the guidance of Friends of Galveston Island State Park (FoGISP) volunteers.
The Bishop’s Palace (a.k.a. Gresham House) is a contributing building in the East End District and a National Historic Landmark. Bishop’s Palace is recognized as one of America’s finest examples of Victorian exuberance and Gilded Age extravagance and is listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. Bishop’s Palace is located at 1402 Broadway at Ave. J.
Available Daily (11am-5pm): Bishop’s Palace Audio Tours – Powered by Acoustiguide, this Audio Tour allows visitors to see historical images not seen by previous tours on a handheld high-resolution screen. Tickets are $6-$11.
May 18th(11am-12:30pm): Basement to Attic Tour – Offering participants a rare look into parts of the 1892 home that are typically off-limits, the Bishop’s Palace Basement to Attic Tour features Mrs. Gresham’s studio. An exclusive third-floor view provides a truly one of a kind panoramic of the Gulf of Mexico.
Galveston Bookshop will host a book signing with returning author Bartee Haile and his newest book, a survey of the famous entertainers who came from Texas.
In keeping with its reputation for size and spectacle, Texas has produced a staggering number of stars. Although many hailed from towns too small to have a post office, they occupied the spotlight on the largest of stages.
Roger Miller’s songs made him the “King of the Road,” and Howard Hughes stretched his vision across the skies of the silver screen. Gene Autry won fame as a singing cowboy and Van Cliburn wore a tuxedo to international piano competitions, but both hailed from the Lone Star State. Texans penned Old Yeller and voiced Daffy Duck. From Buddy Holly to Ginger Rogers and Joan Crawford to Jimmy Dean, Bartee Haile charts the brightest constellations of Texas entertainers.
Bartee Haile is known for producing “This Week in Texas History,” a syndicated column found in many local newspapers. He has also written several other Texas histories including, “Murder Most Texan,” a true crime collection; and “Texas Depression-Era Desperadoes,” which focuses on Bonnie & Clyde and other notorious criminals of that period.
