Columbus Historical Preservation Trust - CHPT

10/29/2026

😎🎅

🎅🎄 We’re still dreaming about this unforgettable drop-in from Santa when The Daytripper visited Santa Museum Texas! We’re not sure who had more fun — Santa or Chet! 😂

The holiday season is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to experience a little Christmas magic in Columbus! With more than 5,000 Santas and holiday treasures to discover, Santa Museum Texas is a must-see for visitors of all ages! ❤️ ✨

📍 Make us a stop on your next Texas adventure!

10/28/2026

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for Monday night’s History Forum! Do you ever get so caught up in wonderful stories and good conversations that you forget to take pictures? That was us Monday night! 📸

It was a truly special opportunity to hear Mrs. Elvera Kahlich bring a seldom-told chapter of the Opera House’s history to life through her firsthand memories! Her stories painted such a wonderful picture of life in Columbus during the 1940s and 1950s. ⏳🏛️

💕 Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Kahlich and her daughters for the preparation, thought, and heart they poured into this memorable program. What a gift to our community!

Congratulations are in order for Kim Johnson and Currie Luedecke of Leyco Real Estate, recipients of the 2026 Laura Ann Rau Historic Preservation Award! Their dedication to preserving the Gegenworth Building and its historic character makes this recognition so well deserved! 🏆

Please join us in thanking Mrs. Elvera and congratulating Kim and Currie on their fitting honor, whether in the comments below or the next time you see them around town! 💬

Here’s to preserving the places AND stories that make Columbus so special! 🌳💕

10/25/2026

⏰ TOMORROW NIGHT! History comes alive at the 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House. Join us for our 2026 Annual History Forum! 🏛️

We have a wonderful evening planned, complete with fascinating stories, cherished memories, and a look back at the many lives our beloved Opera House has lived! ❤️

🏆 We'll also proudly announce and recognize the recipient of the 2026 Laura Ann Rau Historic Preservation Award. Pictured here are a few of our previous award recipients, whose dedication to historic preservation has helped protect and celebrate the architectural heritage of our community! 📸

🤠 AND as an ADDED BONUS! The Texas State Library and Archives Commission traveling Texas America250 historical display has made its way to Columbus. Be sure to explore this special exhibit in our foyer while you're here!

📅 TOMORROW, Monday, October 26
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Buddy Rau Room | 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House
🎟️ FREE Admission & Open to Everyone
🍽️ Light bites provided

Bring a friend, bring your curiosity, and come celebrate the stories and people that make our community's history so special!

We can't wait to see you! 🤩

10/22/2026

✨🎬 Such an honor to welcome The Daytripper, Chet Garner, and his wonderful film crew to the 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House and Santa Museum Texas! 🎭🎅

They couldn't have been friendlier 🤠 and we so enjoyed being a part of their Columbus adventure! 💕

A special thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for going above and beyond and for riding in style while doing it! 🚗💨

We can't wait to see our beautiful, historic town shine on The Daytripper! 📺✨

10/19/2026

🏛️✨ ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

Join us for our 2026 History Forum: Echoes of the Opera House!

🎭 An evening of fascinating stories, cherished memories, and a look into the many lives of the historic 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House!

📅 Monday, October 26
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Buddy Rau Room | Stafford Opera House
🎟️ FREE to the public!
🍴 Light bites provided!

Bring a friend and join us for a wonderful evening celebrating Columbus history! ❤️

10/19/2026

📣 GAME NIGHT UPDATE! 📣

Monday, October 19: GAME ON! 5–8 PM 🎲
Monday, October 26: NO GAME NIGHT! Instead, join us for our 2026 History Forum: Echoes of the Opera House at 6 PM.
Monday, November 2: GAME ON! 5–8 PM 🎲

We’d love for our Game Night friends to join us on October 26 in the Buddy Rau Room to learn more about the history of the building where we gather each week. 💕

The forum is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Preserving History. Building Community. 🏛 ✨

10/17/2026

💐 A great day at the 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House!

Following a ceremony at St. Anthony Catholic Church, our newlyweds gathered with family and friends for an intimate reception in the Buddy Rau Room. 💕

Lambertos Brandon House Bistro filled the building with amazing aromas, Frank Sinatra played in the background, 🎶 and the room was full of smiles, laughter, and celebration.

There is something pretty wonderful about seeing new memories made inside a building that has held so many of them over the last 140 years. 🏛️✨

Congratulations to the happy couple! We are honored to be a small part of such a special day. 🥂

10/14/2026

🎄🥧 Calling ALL Bakers, Makers, & Givers! 🎁💕

Our 6th Annual "Have Yourself a Tasty Little Holiday" Online Auction is coming November 11–15, and we’re filling it with all the delicious, festive, fun things our community does best! ✨

Want to be part of it? We’d LOVE your help!

🍪 BAKE something sweet or savory
🎨 MAKE or donate something special
🎁 GIVE a gift, basket, décor item, experience, vacation stay, or service
💵 OR simply make a monetary donation and we’ll purchase an auction item on your behalf!

Homemade pies? YES. 🥧
Holiday casseroles? Absolutely. 🍽️
Handmade goodies, décor, experiences, or something completely unexpected? We want to hear about it! 🤩

Every item helps make this much-loved holiday auction a success, with proceeds supporting the mission of CHPT to preserve history and build community. 🏛️

📅 Auction: November 11–15, 2026
📝 Donation deadline: October 28

Thinking about joining in? 😊 Just send us a message, give us a call, or stop by the Stafford Opera House and let us know what you have in mind. We’d be so happy to have you be part of it!

🎄 Bake. Make. Give. Help us make this year’s Tasty Little Holiday Auction a great one! ✨

10/12/2026

🎲✨ We’ve been having such a great time at Monday Game Night at the 1886 Stafford Opera House! We’re back again TONIGHT for more fun! 🤩

Last week, we drew for our monthly door prize! 🎁 A BIG thank you to Kim at Pen And Lens Shop for donating an awesome Mahjong mat and other goodies from her store — check her out! ❤️🀄️

There was just one tiny problem! 😂 Our lucky winner was a serious domino player.

So, in true Game Night fashion, he opened up the bidding to the Mahjong crowd, a happy Mahjong-er went home with a beautiful new mat, and everybody won. 🙌

That’s pretty much how things go around here — good games, good laughs, and even better people. Come claim your table and join us tonight! 🃏

🎲 Bring your games
👯 Bring your friends
☕🍷 Bring your own refreshments
💰 FREE to attend
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Buddy Rau Room | Stafford Opera House

We’ll supply the tables. You supply the games! 🎲🀄️♟️

10/05/2026

✨🎲 Game Night returns TONIGHT! 🎲✨

Join us every Monday from 5:00–8:00 PM at the 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ Stafford Opera House for an easy, come-and-go evening of games, laughter, and good company!

💸 Free to the public!
🎲 Bring your games, bring your friends!
🍷☕ Feel free to bring your own refreshments!
🙌 No reservation required!

🎉 PLUS — tonight we’ll draw our October Door Prize WINNER! 🏆

A big thank-you to Kim Counts Lynch for furnishing some awesome goodies from her Etsy shop Pen And Lens Shop — including a Mahjong Mat! 🀄️✨ Be sure to check out her shop and show her some love!

Just show up, grab a table, and play. See y’all tonight! ♟️🃏