Kerrville is a scenic and vibrant community located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and along the beautiful Guadalupe River. What is now Kerrville in Kerr County was first referred to as "Brownsborough," but after the area was
formally platted in 1856 by James Kerr, a major in the Texas Revolution, the settlement was formally changed to "Kerrville" .
Kerrville's significance dates from a series of events starting in 1857. This is when German master miller Christian Dietert and millwright Balthasar Lich started a large grist and saw mill on the bluff. Their mill, with a non stop source of power from the river and protection from floods, became the most extensive operation of its kind in the Texas Hill
Country west of New Braunfels and San Antonio.
Mercantile and freighting businesses was the main endeavor of the Charles A. Schreiner family empire. These included retail, wholesale, banking, ranching, marketing, and brokering operations-which during the next fifty years became the economic engine of Kerrville and the Hill Country.
Today, Kerrville Texas is known for their excellent museums, theaters, art galleries, shopping options, and healthcare facilities. Kerrville Texas features diverse musical and theater arts groups. In addition to this, the Guadalupe River is lined with gorgeous parks.
Below are just some of the activities and festivals that take place annually in Kerrville along with some historical structures.
Annual Memorial Day Weekend Art Show / Kerrville Festival of the Arts
Annual Memorial Day weekend art show held in the historic downtown Kerrville area, featuring about 100 artists and fine craftsmen. Admission and parking is free and food vendors are on site
Kerrville Folk Festival
Founded by Rod Kennedy, the Kerrville Folk Festival has run annually since 1972. This festival is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. The Kerrville Folk Festival is a music festival held for 18 consecutive days in the late spring/early summer at the
Quiet Valley Ranch, about nine miles south of town.
The event draws around 30,000 people per year. There is a yearly competition to discover promising new singer-songwriters called the New Folk Competition. Thirty-two finalists are selected from a field of 800 entries to share two of their original songs in an afternoon appearance on the stage of the Threadgill Theater. Over the course of the 18 days and nights, activities are provided for all ages with a focus on nurturing and developing artistic expression, especially the art of songwriting, in a loving family-friendly environment.
Some of the events held at the Kerrville Folk Festival include a Songwriters’ School. Held in the Kennedy Outdoor Theater which provides plenty of room for break-out sessions. The Songwriters School has been been in existence for thirty five years. Also, a Guitar workshop for all skill levels, harmonica workshops and a lot more.
Detailed information about this year's event can be found at www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org
Kerrville Fall Music Festival
Celebrate wine and music during Labor Day weekend at the annual Kerrville Fall Music Festival in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
The Schreiner House
After serving in the Confederate Army in the Civil War for several years, Captain Charles Schreiner returned to his family ranch on Turtle Creek. A few years later, the Schreiner family moved to town.
The original Schreiner home was a frame building where the mansion now sits. In 1879, Capt. Schreiner commissioned San Antonino architect Alfred Giles, to design his new home. The mansion was constructed in three phases and was completed in 1897.
The original six- bedroom, two-story home, constructed by expert German masons, was the first limestone home in Kerrville. It was also the first home in Kerrville to have electric lights. The light fixtures that began as candles and kerosene were later converted to gas which was pumped form the basement, and then to electric fixtures.
Although the mansion has changed ownership through the years, the Schreiners were the only family that ever lived there. After Charles Schreiner's death on February 9, 1927, his heirs transferred ownership to the Kerrville Masonic-Lodge. In 1972 Mrs. Roland Walters of Camp Verde, Texas, purchased the structure and sold it to the Hill Country Preservation Society, Inc. in 1975. The Preservation Society made many repairs to the home. Visitors today will see features including several original gas fixtures, mantles, and parquet flooring on the first floor.
Kerr Arts and Cultural Center
Kerrville is widely renowned as the Texas Hill Country Arts destination, and its large array of artists and craftsmen is a point of pride in the community.
KACC was founded in 1995 by a group of community artists with the goal
of providing a show place for local artists, and furthering the arts and
culture education of the entire community. The KACC organization began its early
years moving from one location to another, hosting art shows and art
education.
With the help of James Avery and Bank of The Hills, KACC bought the Kerrville Post Office in July of 1999, and held the first show in March 2000. Many years spent revovating transformed the building’ interior into a beautiful art gallery complete with adapt educational facilities.
The mission of the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center is to be a catalyst for enriching the cultural life of the community and supporting artists of the Hill Country through exhibitions, instruction in the arts and fine crafts, and educational programs for adults and young people. More information can be found at....www.kacckerville.com
Additional Western Trips articles about Texas Hill Country travel include....
Nimitz Museum Fredericksburg, TX
Historic Llano, TX
The Museum of Western Art
The Museum of Western Art opened on April 23rd,
1983, and was first known as the Cowboy Artists of America Museum. Since the museum's opening, thousands of visitors have walked the Museum galleries
and have seen the West brought to life through the unique artwork on view.
The stories the museum presents is comprehensive. The hardworking cowboys, Native Americans, women of the West, settlers, mountain men and others are featured through various themed exhibits. Through other exhibitions, the history of famous ranches as well as other diverse aspects of our Western heritage are shared with ever increasing audiences. In addition, educators, students, writers, and the public make use of the museum’s 6000 volume Western art and history research library, the Griff Carnes Research Center.
As you can see from the above, there are plenty of fun and educational events throughout the year in Kerrville, Texas and this is just a small sample. The fact that all this is available in the scenic Texas Hill Country makes your trip there that much more fun.
For more detailed information on events and festivals and exact dates including hotel and dining choices, see the information at the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau at.....www.kerrvilletexascvb.com
SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW...
''
(Photos copyright Western Trips)
Mercantile and freighting businesses was the main endeavor of the Charles A. Schreiner family empire. These included retail, wholesale, banking, ranching, marketing, and brokering operations-which during the next fifty years became the economic engine of Kerrville and the Hill Country.
Today, Kerrville Texas is known for their excellent museums, theaters, art galleries, shopping options, and healthcare facilities. Kerrville Texas features diverse musical and theater arts groups. In addition to this, the Guadalupe River is lined with gorgeous parks.
Below are just some of the activities and festivals that take place annually in Kerrville along with some historical structures.
Annual Memorial Day Weekend Art Show / Kerrville Festival of the Arts
Annual Memorial Day weekend art show held in the historic downtown Kerrville area, featuring about 100 artists and fine craftsmen. Admission and parking is free and food vendors are on site
Kerrville Folk Festival
Founded by Rod Kennedy, the Kerrville Folk Festival has run annually since 1972. This festival is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. The Kerrville Folk Festival is a music festival held for 18 consecutive days in the late spring/early summer at the
Quiet Valley Ranch, about nine miles south of town.
The event draws around 30,000 people per year. There is a yearly competition to discover promising new singer-songwriters called the New Folk Competition. Thirty-two finalists are selected from a field of 800 entries to share two of their original songs in an afternoon appearance on the stage of the Threadgill Theater. Over the course of the 18 days and nights, activities are provided for all ages with a focus on nurturing and developing artistic expression, especially the art of songwriting, in a loving family-friendly environment.
Some of the events held at the Kerrville Folk Festival include a Songwriters’ School. Held in the Kennedy Outdoor Theater which provides plenty of room for break-out sessions. The Songwriters School has been been in existence for thirty five years. Also, a Guitar workshop for all skill levels, harmonica workshops and a lot more.
Detailed information about this year's event can be found at www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org
Kerrville Fall Music Festival
Celebrate wine and music during Labor Day weekend at the annual Kerrville Fall Music Festival in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
 |
| Schreiner House |
The Schreiner House
After serving in the Confederate Army in the Civil War for several years, Captain Charles Schreiner returned to his family ranch on Turtle Creek. A few years later, the Schreiner family moved to town.
The original Schreiner home was a frame building where the mansion now sits. In 1879, Capt. Schreiner commissioned San Antonino architect Alfred Giles, to design his new home. The mansion was constructed in three phases and was completed in 1897.
The original six- bedroom, two-story home, constructed by expert German masons, was the first limestone home in Kerrville. It was also the first home in Kerrville to have electric lights. The light fixtures that began as candles and kerosene were later converted to gas which was pumped form the basement, and then to electric fixtures.
Although the mansion has changed ownership through the years, the Schreiners were the only family that ever lived there. After Charles Schreiner's death on February 9, 1927, his heirs transferred ownership to the Kerrville Masonic-Lodge. In 1972 Mrs. Roland Walters of Camp Verde, Texas, purchased the structure and sold it to the Hill Country Preservation Society, Inc. in 1975. The Preservation Society made many repairs to the home. Visitors today will see features including several original gas fixtures, mantles, and parquet flooring on the first floor.
Kerr Arts and Cultural Center
Kerrville is widely renowned as the Texas Hill Country Arts destination, and its large array of artists and craftsmen is a point of pride in the community.
 |
| Kerr Arts & Cultural Center |
With the help of James Avery and Bank of The Hills, KACC bought the Kerrville Post Office in July of 1999, and held the first show in March 2000. Many years spent revovating transformed the building’ interior into a beautiful art gallery complete with adapt educational facilities.
The mission of the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center is to be a catalyst for enriching the cultural life of the community and supporting artists of the Hill Country through exhibitions, instruction in the arts and fine crafts, and educational programs for adults and young people. More information can be found at....www.kacckerville.com
Additional Western Trips articles about Texas Hill Country travel include....
Nimitz Museum Fredericksburg, TX
Historic Llano, TX
The Museum of Western Art
 |
| The Museum of Western Art |
The stories the museum presents is comprehensive. The hardworking cowboys, Native Americans, women of the West, settlers, mountain men and others are featured through various themed exhibits. Through other exhibitions, the history of famous ranches as well as other diverse aspects of our Western heritage are shared with ever increasing audiences. In addition, educators, students, writers, and the public make use of the museum’s 6000 volume Western art and history research library, the Griff Carnes Research Center.
As you can see from the above, there are plenty of fun and educational events throughout the year in Kerrville, Texas and this is just a small sample. The fact that all this is available in the scenic Texas Hill Country makes your trip there that much more fun.
For more detailed information on events and festivals and exact dates including hotel and dining choices, see the information at the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau at.....www.kerrvilletexascvb.com
SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW...
(Photos copyright Western Trips)
