Craig Ordner, President
254.541.5592
[email protected]
Joseph Doskocil, Vice President
254.587.1607
[email protected]
Rita Kleypas, Secretary
254.913.7245
[email protected]
Mike Heise, Treasurer
254.239.4435
[email protected]
Ron Gottschalk
254.478.4722
Carolyn Gottschalk
254.584.2366
Westphalia Historical Society
166 CR 3000
Lott, TX 76656
[email protected]
Since the early 1970s, the Westphalia Historical Commission has been in existence and chaired community events such as the Bicentennial or 100th birthday of our community in 1979, the 100th anniversary of Visitation Parish in 1983, and the recognition of veterans.
On July 15, 1991, the Westphalia Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) organization, was granted its charter by the State of Texas. Officers elected were Doris Voltin, President; Tim Rabroker, Vice President; Helen Lingnau, Secretary; and Janet Loden, Treasurer. Directors elected were Jerry Thornton, Beatrice Hoelscher, Jerry Loden and Caroline Hoelscher.
The Westphalia Little School was granted an official Texas Historical Marker in 1982 and fundraisers were immediately planned to raise funds to restore the school building. The building was leveled, painted, air conditioners installed, and has been maintained throughout the years. The three rooms were designated church, school and community. A display of more than 700 wedding photographs of couples married in the Church of the Visitation adorn the walls.
In 1996 the Society began to fully restore the Convent Building which stands next to the Little School Museum. It was leveled, painted, floors refinished, air conditioners installed, and is being maintained by the Society. The meeting room and small kitchen are available for lease for small events.
On May 26, 1991 the first Annual Veterans Memorial Day Tribute was held which honored all veterans buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westphalia. It has been held each year on the last Sunday of May and it honors a different group of veterans each year. The program usually includes a 21-gun salute and afterwards a fired chicken meal is served and enjoyed by the visitors, families, and friends of deceased veterans.
On May 15, 1996, Westphalia was officially recognized in the National Register of Historic Places and on November 4, 1996, Westphalia was recognized as a Rural Historic District – the first of its kind to be approved in the state.
The Westphalia Historical Society is dedicated to Preserving its Past, Proclaiming it Presence, and Committed to its Future. Meetings are held bi-monthly beginning each January and anyone may attend.