Muenster Heritage Project

Historical Commission Revives Driving and Walking Tours of Muenster 

The Muenster Historical Commission (MHC) is reviving Muenster’s driving and walking tours with hopes of having an initial route and information available in time for the holiday season. The project, known as the Muenster Heritage Project (MHP), will begin with the identification of sites of interest within Muenster’s city limits. Those sites will be shared on print and downloadable brochures for residents and visitors, alike, to discover and rediscover Muenster’s unique culture and history. 

Goals for the Muenster Heritage Project are to increase Muenster tourism while building pride, knowledge, and understanding of life in rural Texas communities. Beyond producing the driving and walking tours and guide materials, the project will eventually create an expanded and revised second edition to Janie Hartman’s photo book titled, A Quick History of Muenster, Texas.

“I am excited to have the Muenster Historical Commission continue its contributions to the Muenster community by going beyond the walls of our impressive local museum,” said MHC President Nicholas Taylor. “Many involved Muenster citizens previously created and promoted a similar effort through Volksmarch events in 1987-1990, 1998, 2000, and 2019. We aim to build on these great initiatives, through the Muenster Heritage Project, and enhance the experience. We will create routes suitable for drivers and walkers and provide brief write-ups of even more sites along the way.” 

Anyone can complete and submit a short application to suggest a potential tour site. You may do so using the form below. Project volunteers will also be identifying sites. 

Site selections will be based on meeting one or more of the following criteria adapted from the National Historic Landmarks Program of the National Park Service:

1. Place where locally significant historical events occurred;

2. Place where locally significant people lived or worked; 

3. Representative of or possessing outstanding design or construction, architecture, or engineering; and/or

4. Place that outstandingly characterizes a way of life.
   
   

Sites selected as significant will eventually receive a MHP marker. The intention of the MHP is to increase pride, knowledge, and tourism rather than historic preservation. Therefore, designation as a site of significance in Muenster places no restrictions on the property or property owner.