German immigrants of the nineteenth century left a distinctivemark on the lifestyles and vernacular architecture of Texas. Inthis first comprehensive survey of the art and artifacts of GermanTexans, Kenneth Hafertepe explores how their material culturewas influenced by their European roots, how it was adaptedto everyday life in Texas, and how it changed over time—atdifferent rates in different communities. The Material Culture ofGerman Texans is about the struggle to become American whilemaintaining a distinctive cultural identity drawn from Germanheritage.Including materials from rural, small town, and urban settings,this masterful study covers pioneer generations in East Texas andthe Hill Country, but also follows the story into the Victorian eraand the early twentieth century. Houses and their furnishings,churches and cemeteries, breweries and businesses, and paintingsand engravings fill the pages of this thorough, informative, andrichly illustrated volume.Recent decades have seen a sharp increase of the study ofvernacular architecture (which can range from traditionalbuilding to ethnic expressions to landscape ensembles) and anintensified study of American furniture and other decorativearts. Incorporating these vernacular and decorative arts methodsand building on the works of cultural geographers, curators,and historians, The Material Culture of German Texans offers adefinitive contribution that will inform visitors to the region aswell as those who study its history and culture.
