Born in Bremen, Germany, Mathilda Wehmeyer (1839-1903) arrived in Galveston in 1870. She advertised teaching services for young children, particularly those from Galveston's large German-American community. Her teaching philosophy focused around the German concept of "kindergarten." After initially operating from a house on Ball, she purchased this lot in 1880 for her school. The original house on the lot burned in the 1885 fire that destroyed 40 residential blocks of Galveston's East End. In 1887, Mathilda constructed the existing Italianate building to serve as her house and school. In 1891, Mathilda reopened the school, which she operated here until 1898. She continued to live in the house until she was displaced by the Great Storm of 1900. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2017
Mathilda Wehmeyer German-American Kindergarten School
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Mathilda Wehmeyer German-American Kindergarten School is a historical marker in Galveston, Galveston County, dedicated in 2017. It is one of 283 historical markers documented in Galveston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 373 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 29.3049, -94.7855 near Galveston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Miller, A. Wilkins, Cottage (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Cherry, Wilbur, Beissner, Frederick William, and William and Lena Juneman Smith.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507018647. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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