Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture

05/27/2026

There's always something going on at Heritage Village - Museum docents were entertained by Living Historian, The Story Teller, Dennis Riedesel at our monthly meeting. Dennis regaled the audience with stories of early Texas settlers, music, and humor, even involving docents in the act! It's easy to join us at the museum, there are many volunteer opportunities and we'd love to tell you about them. Call or drop us a note and get all the details.

05/18/2026

The New Braunfels Heritage Society is pleased to welcome Verlyn Maldonado as Executive Director.

Verlyn brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, community engagement, strategic partnerships, fundraising, grant development, and organizational growth. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside schools, nonprofits, businesses, civic leaders, and community organizations to strengthen programs, build meaningful partnerships, and create lasting community impact.

Her professional background includes executive leadership, development strategy, public relations, community outreach, volunteer engagement, and securing significant funding support through grants, sponsorships, and donor development initiatives.

In addition to her professional experience, Verlyn is deeply rooted in faith and family. She and her husband, Manuel, have been married for 35 years and are blessed with three adult children and a daughter-in-law. She values service, community, integrity, and relationship-building, and looks forward to becoming more connected with the New Braunfels community while helping support and preserve its rich history and heritage.

Please join us in welcoming Verlyn to the New Braunfels Heritage Society as she begins this new leadership role during an exciting season of growth and opportunity for the organization. Verlyn Perez Maldonado

05/14/2026

It's almost time, our Museum's celebration of New Braunfels May Historic Preservation Month is tomorrow, Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th - admission is FREE both days! We've expanded our hours to 10:00am till 4:00pm, and our docents Linda Goebel, Cathy Olsen, and Mike Luft are ready to greet you at the museum. In addition to the main museum, you can tour the historic kitchen, two mid-1800's cabins, the cabinet shop, Sunday House, smokehouse, and even an outhouse (non working of course!). We have 11 acres for you to explore, it's a birdwatchers paradise in our trail system thru the woods, and bring a lunch to enjoy under the oaks. We'll be looking for you Friday and Saturday!

05/11/2026

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. By preserving our past, we ensure that future generations can continue to experience the charm and character that make our city special. The City of New Braunfels is hosting various events this May to highlight and promote preservation.

In celebration of Preservation Month, the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture will offer expanded hours, and FREE admission on Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th from 10:00am till 4:00pm. Come out and see us!

05/08/2026

There's lots to do at Heritage Village tomorrow, May 9th at our monthly 2nd Saturday. Come out to see Living Historians, stories, crafts, our Museum, and 11 acres to roam - bring a lunch to enjoy under our beautiful oaks. We'll be looking for you tomorrow!

05/08/2026

Its almost time for the Museum of Handmade Furniture's 2nd Saturday! Tomorrow, 9 May at Heritage Village at 10:00. Come on out and see what life was like in the 1800's here in New Braunfels.

05/08/2026

05/06/2026

Are you looking for something fun this weekend? We have you covered at the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture at Heritage Village! May 9th is our monthly 2nd Saturday celebration from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Village. Come out to see Living Historian's showcasing New Braunfels life from the 1840's - 1880's. The Museum is open and admission is free every 2nd Saturday, we'll see you at 1370 Churchill Drive, New Braunfels!

04/30/2026

A message from Justin Ball, Executive Director of the Heritage Society of New Braunfels.

Friends and neighbors,

After eight years as Executive Director of the Heritage Society of New Braunfels, I am stepping away from the role.

That sentence feels strange to write. This work has been a constant in my life for a long time, and this place has meant more to me than I can easily put into words.

When I stepped into this position, I believed in what the Heritage Society could be. Not just as a steward of buildings and artifacts, but as a living, breathing part of this community. Over the past eight years, we have pushed hard in that direction. We have improved the property in ways both visible and behind the scenes. We have expanded programming, strengthened operations, and made sure this organization has a seat at the table in conversations that matter.

Most importantly, we built something that does not rely on one person to hold it together.

That was always the point. Not to be indispensable, but to make sure the organization could stand on its own feet and keep moving forward no matter who is at the helm.

I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished. None of it happens without the staff who show up every day, the volunteers who give their time, the board who carries the weight of governance, and the supporters who believe in the mission enough to invest in it. This has always been a collective effort.

For me, this next chapter is about stepping back and focusing on my family and my health. That is where my time and energy need to be right now. Once things stabilize, I plan to pursue a PhD in History, something I have wanted to do for a long time and now feel ready to take seriously.

At the same time, Alina, who many of you know as our Operations Manager for the past five years, will be starting her own PhD in Education at Texas State this fall. It is a season of change for both of us, and one that we are stepping into with intention.

I am not going anywhere in the sense that I still care deeply about this place. I will stay involved through the transition and do everything I can to make sure the next Executive Director has what they need to succeed. We are still working through what that transition will look like, but I have a great deal of confidence in our board and in the search process. They will find the right person to carry this forward.

The Heritage Society was here long before me, and it will be here long after. That is how it should be.

This is not goodbye. It is a change that needed to happen to allow the organization to continue to grow and prosper.

It has been an honor to serve in this role. Thank you for trusting me with it.

Justin Ball
Executive Director
Heritage Society of New Braunfels

04/29/2026

Heritage Society Museum Docents had a great time at
our April meeting today. We were hosted by our
neighboring Heritage Association of San Marcos
touring the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, the Charles
C**k House, and the Merriman cabin. Lunch was at
the Cafe on the Square. We're a fun bunch who love
to volunteer at our museum and also tour other historic
locations nearby. Wouldn't you like to join us? It's
easy, all we ask is you help give tours at the museum
once or twice a month - we'll teach you all you need to
know.