Each second and fourth Saturday of the month, the community can tour the complex to learn more about the city’s history and the way of life of city founders.
While offering a glimpse into Boerne’s Past, BAHPS President Julie Gossell said the organization and museum have faced challenges over the past few years, which have led to complications in maintaining the facility.
Despite challenges, the nonprofit organization continues with efforts to educate the community.
What’s happening?
The city of Boerne owned the museum from 1952 to around two years ago when the former Public Works Building was sold to Kendall County and the former City Hall building being sold to a private venture. This purchase led to the city no longer being responsible for the land.
Gossell said the museum became landlocked due to the surrounding buildings being privately owned.
With no access to the museum, BAHPS has faced challenges with getting a lease from the county, which is needed to move forward with applying for grants and beginning the renovation process.
Gossell said the current plan for the historic area is to convert it into a Kendall County pocket park.
The challenges have led to growing concerns about the future of the complex if the renovations can not be completed.
“We have some people that are trying to help us work out the details, but the building is in desperate need of renovation,” she said.
What’s special about it?
The Kuhlmann-King Historical Complex was one of the first homes constructed in Boerne, being constructed in the 1880s. Featuring the main home and a detached kitchen, the facility shows the lifestyle of the family living during that time period.
When the museum started in 1970, BAHPS put out a call for artifacts that show the way of life in Boerne from around 1885 to 1950, leading to donations from the community.
“We have over 3,000 artifacts in our three buildings that all show the way of life,” Gossell said.
The museum also Includes the works of Ludwig Börne, who the city was named after, and other notable figures that have been around the community.
“The Germans that came here were young and idealistic, and they left Germany during times of great social upheaval,” she said. “They really wanted to create a different society, so they picked the name Boerne to hold these higher ideals.”
Alongside the historic home, the complex features an old Main Street business that was relocated from downtown. The facility is now used to show different businesses from the area, and the evolution of business and development over the years.
Get involved
As a nonprofit, BAHPS relies on donations and volunteer efforts to keep the museum running and ensuring future renovations can be completed. Joining BAHPS requires a membership fee of $25 for individuals. Membership details can be found here.
Looking ahead, Gossell said the organization will continue to work toward historic preservation and advocating for the significance of the complex to the area.
“It’s just been really hard over the last few years because we think something is going to happen, but it never gets pushed over the finish line,” she said. “We are still in the works of becoming a pocket park, and maybe that will happen soon.”
- 402 E. Blanco Road, Boerne
- www.bahpsboerne.org
