While Houston is often associated with oil and energy companies, big business, and NASA’s Houston Space Center,
it is also home to many cultural institutions. The Museum District comprises nineteen museums, galleries, and
community spaces – including the world-famous Rothko Chapel and Menil Collection. Participants in this Berkshire Botanical Garden tour, arranged by Classical Excursions, on March 14 – 17 will enjoy a three-night stay at The Lancaster Hotel, in the heart of the Theater District. This historic hotel from the 1920’s has been fully updated as a contemporary boutique hotel, and today is a member of Preferred Hotels.
The City of Houston was founded in 1837 after Augustus and John Allen had acquired land to establish a new town
at the junction of Buffalo and White Oak bayous in 1836. Houston served as the temporary capital of the Republic
of Texas. In 1912, the Rice Institute became the first institute of higher learning in the area. Also, by 1912, Houston
was home to twenty-five “tall buildings” ranging from six to sixteen stories. An interest in gardening swept the
country during the 1920s at the height of the “City Beautiful” movement, which promoted urban planning and
beautification. In accordance with this concept, 27 women formed a neighborhood garden club, whose objectives —
as described in a 1927 newspaper article — were “the study of flowers and their cultivation, beautification of
backyards, conservation of wildflowers, presentation of flower shows and competitive garden designs.” The most
famous residential section of town is River Oaks, where that garden club was founded. For complete itinerary visit www.berkshirebotanical.org
