Irving Heritage Society

The Irving Heritage Society was originally established in 1978 as an entity to maintain and preserve the Heritage House which was built in 1912. The Heritage House serves as a tour home for the community and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The Irving Heritage Society has also served the city on many major projects with leadership roles, financial support, volunteers, and various expertise. These projects include the development of Heritage Park, the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center, a written history of Irving by Dr. Joseph Rice, and the recently completed Irving Archives and Museum.

Our Needs

The Heritage Society would like to expand their outreach programming by creating a presentation that could be taken to the schools when appropriate or to other organizational meetings. It could even be presented onsite to visitors.

The Heritage House was built in 1912 by C.P. Schulze, brother of the co-founder of Irving. Only one family has lived in the home. It is designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. In the backyard is the exact reconstruction of Mary's Playhouse. This building was originally a chicken coop which was converted into a playhouse for the young Mary Schulze in the 1920s. Over the years, the building began to deteriorate. It was rebuilt, using many of the same boards, and rededicated in 2015. The playhouse is furnished with many original toys and items from young Mary Schulze and her brother Charles for young visitors to see.

The program will enhance the visitor's experience and help to bring to life the story of the Schulze family's daily activities in the early years of Irving.