Annual Conference

September 19th & 20th, 2025
This year's annual conference will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas at 3501 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78705.
TOPIC: The German Adelsverein and their journey from Germany to Texas.
Friday SPEAKERS: Dr. Daniel Gelo, Dr. Christopher Wickham, Bernard Meisner Ph.D. CCM, Benno Engel, Kevin Klaus.
Saturday SPEAKERS: Dr. Jim Kearney, Lloyd Shenberger, Jim Burnett.
​​
​
GTHS 2025 Annual Conference Schedule
Friday
9:30 – 1:00 Registration opens. Lunch is on your own.
Tour of the General Land Office will start at 10:00 - 11:00 A. M.
To RSVP please email Kevin Klaus at: kevin.klaus@glo.texas.gov (12 person limit)
1:00 – 1:30 Welcome and Information
1:30 – 2:30 Dr. Daniel Gelo/Dr. Christopher Wickham: Theodore Specht
2:30 – 3:30 Bernard Meisner: Early German Settlements in Texas, 1831-1860.
Here is the link to Meisner's presentation: https://tinyurl.com/mtwhdck4
Please view it online or print before you arrive.
3:30 – 3:40 Break
3:40 – 4:40 Benno Engel: The Founding of New Braunfels and the Sophienburg Museum & Archive
4:40 – 5:40 Kevin Klaus: Farewell to the Old World
6:30 Social: Social gathering / dedication of the new Stairway @ GTHS HQ 507 E. 10th Street
Saturday
8:00 – 9:00 Registration and snacks/pastries
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome and Introductions
9:15 – 10:15 Dr. Jim Kearney: The Adelsverein
10:15 – 11:15 Lloyd Shenberger: German Immigration in the 19th Century
11:15 – 11:25 Break
11:25 – 12:00 GTHS Membership Meeting
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on-site by Ines Mosley
1:30 – 2:30 Jen Stanford: Sons of Hermann Hall and the Rathskeller
2:30 – 3:30 Jim Burnett: Saltgrass Prairie Saga – A German American Family in Texas
3:30 – Remainder of the day Closing of the on-site meeting.
​
​
​
Ideas for sponsorships and speakers can be emailed to Richard Gruetzner at richard.gruetzner@germantexans.org.
Please check out programs from years past to get an idea of speakers, schedules and locations.
​
2025
​
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
​




