The month of May is Historic Preservation Month, a time to celebrate the historic places that make our communities unique. Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this annual observance encourages cities nationwide to honor and protect their rich cultural heritage.
To celebrate, the City of New Braunfels is partnering with various local agencies to offer a variety of events and activities throughout the month of May. Those events include a historical marker dedication at Market Plaza, musical performances and tours of downtown murals, free admission to local museums, a family storytime at the Main Branch Library, an educational session on researching your home’s history, and much more. To see the full schedule of events, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/historicpreservation.
Year-round, City Historic Preservation staff, along with the New Braunfels Historic Landmark Commission, works with City Council and the community to encourage the creation of local historic districts, to recognize local historic landmarks, and to participate in the design review process for exterior alterations and new construction inside local historic landmarks and districts. Currently, the City of New Braunfels has four Historic Districts:
- The Mill Street Historic District
- The Downtown Historic District
- The Sophienburg Hill Historic District
- The Stock Historic District
To learn more about each of these districts, visit http://www.newbraunfels.gov/historicdistricts.
“By preserving our past, we ensure that future generations can continue to experience the charm and character that make our city special,” said City of New Braunfels Planning and Development Services Director Christopher Looney. “The City is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the landmarks and districts of historical and cultural importance that make our community unique and tell the stories of our past. The preservation and promotion of these landmarks and districts is critical to the promotion of the economic, educational, and general welfare of the public.”
To see the complete list of Historic Preservation Month events in New Braunfels, or to see resources available to help the community preserve and protect historic structures and landmarks, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/historicpreservation.