German Texans Heritage Society

Located in the heart of the Red River Cultural District you will find one of Austin’s best kept secrets, a historical building and terraced gardens. The German Free School was built in 1857 and today is Austin’s 3rd oldest building. After having served as German based school for about 30 years in the mid-1800s, today it comprises the headquarters of the German-Texan Heritage Society (GTHS). GTHS is a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation of the history and heritage of German-Texans with an eye towards present day German culture and language. GTHS first opened the German International School of Texas at Austin in 2021. We have now grown from a Pre-K, to Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade classes and are catering to the growing demand in the Austin area for a total immersion German language school. GTHS is also known for its festivals and programs. Adult and children German language classes are also available in San Antonio! Per the Austin Chronicle 2018 - “the German-Texan Heritage Society certainly brings the most authentic Oktoberfest game in town”. Want to learn more German words? GTHS can help. We offer German language programs for both adults and children based on worldwide recognized standards set by the Goethe-Institut, Germany’s cultural institute. Join us for OKTOBERFEST in the fall and get to know its Little Sister, the Beer and Wine festival at MAIFEST, in the spring where we offer wine and beer from different breweries and vineyards from Texas and Germany. We also held our first German Auto Show in the Spring of 2024 marveling at German engineering from Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and many more. Come by our CHRISTMAS MARKET and enjoy some Glühwein and real German holiday cheer. All events are held on the grounds of our historical German Free School. Wander back in time and experience live music, food, and Gemütlichkeit in our beautiful gardens. Gemütlichkeit, you ask? It’s a German word used to describe a state of belonging, warmth, and friendliness.