Stories of German Immigration through Galveston to be Told at Moody Gardens
Galveston – Area cultural organizations and residents will share stories of immigration through Galveston Island during the Cultural Speaker Series at Moody Gardens that coincides with the exhibit, Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island. Presentations are free and open to the public and give opportunities for locals to participate in, while passing on the legacy of Texas settlers to the generations to come.
The series will begin with a fifth generation German descendant Harrold Henck who will represent the Texas German Society. He will discuss the German immigration to America through Galveston and how the population impacted the region. He has written two pictorial history books on Galveston County and has written several historical marker narratives for the Texas Historical Commission. Future presentations will represent other cultural and ethnic populations that were significant to Galveston immigration.
“This is our effort to encourage people to preserve their history and roots,” said Moody Gardens General Manager John Zendt. “We hope people will learn about their family and local history and keep it alive for their children and grandchildren.”
Moody Gardens is currently hosting Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island. The exhibit chronicles the Port of Galveston’s largely forgotten history as a major gateway to American immigration from 1845 to 1924. The exhibit is the first of its kind to explore, on a national scale, Galveston’s legacy as a port of entry and its importance in shaping the Texas and U.S. history.
Moody Gardens continues to encourage Galveston immigrants and their descendants to share their stories and artifacts by contacting 409-683-4215. Forgotten Gateway will be on exhibit through Sept. 11, 2010, and admission to the exhibit is $8.95 for adults and $6.95 for children and seniors. For more information about the Cultural Speaker Series and the Forgotten Gateway exhibit, please visit moodygardens.org or call 800-582-4673.
AT A GLANCE
Event: Forgotten Gateway Cultural Speaker Series: Stories of German Immigrants
Featured Group: Texas German Society, Galveston Chapter
Date/ Time: 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 2
Location: Moody Gardens Discovery Pyramid, One Hope Blvd., Galveston
Admission: Free, open to the public
Information: 1-800-582-4673, moodygardens.org
Exhibit: Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island
Admission: Adults $8.95, children (4-12) & seniors (65+) $6.95
About the Exhibit: Galveston was a Southern equivalent of Ellis Island. With over 200 original artifacts, Forgotten Gateway chronicles the largely forgotten history of Galveston as a major immigration port between 1845 and 1924.
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