Time & Place: Houston's Six Wards

Join us September 29 for the next session of Time & Place, Preservation Houston’s midday talk series exploring how preservation and history shape the places we share.

First Ward. Third Ward. Fifth Ward. More than a century after Houston did away with its ward system, the old names are still very much alive. But where did they come from, and what did they originally mean?

In this session, Programs and Communications Director Jim Parsons will trace the history of Houston’s six wards, from their creation as political districts in the 19th century to their enduring place in the city today. Along the way, we’ll explore how the wards grew and changed, what life was like in each of them and how their boundaries helped shape the Houston we know. We’ll also look at what happened when the ward system officially disappeared — and how their names, identities and sense of place survived.

The talk will begin at noon Tuesday, September 29, at PH Studio in the Preservation Houston office, 3907 Main Street. Registration is free for PH members and $15 for non-members; you're welcome to bring lunch to enjoy during the presentation. We'll provide water and iced tea.