In honor of the 1936 wedding of Charles and Catherine Schulze, Catherine’s wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses will be featured in the bridal gown display during the monthly Heritage House tour on Sept 3^th.  The Irving Heritage House will be open for tours Sunday, Sept. 3 from 3pm-5pm with docent led tours at 3pm and 4pm.  Admission is free.  Bridal gowns dating from the 1880s to a mid-century informal gown from the 1950s will also be displayed. Located at 303 South O’Connor, the Heritage House was built in 1912 by C. P. Schulze, brother of one of Irving’s co-founders.  This restored pioneer home has been designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.    

Mary’s Playhouse in the back garden area will also be open for tours during the first Sunday tour times of 3pm-5pm.  This rebuilt chicken coop of the 1920s was the playhouse of young Mary Schulze.  It contains many original toys of the Schulze children as well as vintage items.  Families are encourage to visit.

Guests on Sunday, Sept. 3, will receive a complimentary copy of the Irving history book “Rails to Wings” by Norma Stanton.

For more information visit www.irvingheritage.com or call 972-252-3838.  Group tours may also be arranged at alternate times.

Celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Mary Schulze, the Irving Heritage Society will host a birthday party in the back garden area of the Heritage House, 303 South O’Connor, on Sunday, July 16, from 2pm-4pm.  Old fashion games, storytime, and refreshments will take place. 

Mary Schulze grew up in the home at 303 Iowa Street, now called O’Connor.  Born on July 19, 1917,  she and her older brother Charles were the children of C.P. and Virginia Schulze,  Her uncle J.O Schulze along with Otis Brown, founded the town of Irving. 

For more information, www.irvingheritage.com or call 972-252-3838

The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau trivia team delivered the trophy to the La Cima Heritage Committee team on June 5 at the La Cima Club, noting that it was “temporary” and the ICVB team expected the trophy to be returned next year.   The two teams are often found competing against each other during the annual Celebrating Irving:  The City and The Man activities.  Their contests bring friendly competition resulting in many tie breakers as well as much laughter.  Though Anne Pfaff and Diana Pfaff are on opposing teams, the mother/daughter duo remain loyal to their own teams.

Team members of the ICVB were Maura Gast, Diana Pfaff, Clem Lear and David Cole.  La Cima Heritage team included Anne Pfaff, Virginia Meler, Rosemary Robbins, and Deneice Chavez.  Other teams in the Irving Trivia finals this year were the Irving Arts Board and the Ladies of the I Gang.  

For more information regarding the Irving Heritage Society and Celebrating Irving, visit www.irvingheritage.com or contact 972-252-3838.

In a bedroom called “The Bride’s Room, ” wedding gowns spanning several decades, are displayed in the Irving Heritage House.  Located at 303 South O’Connor, the Heritage House will be open Sunday, June 4, from 3pm – 5pm.  Docent led tours begin at 3pm and 4pm.  Admission is free.  Group tours may also be scheduled on alternate days.  The Heritage House is a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.

On display is the 1903 wedding gown, coat and slippers worn by Mrs. J.O. (Agnes Sueppel) Schulze of Iowa City, Iowa.  It was custom designed and made by Marshall Field of Chicago.  Given by her daughters to the Irving Heritage Society, the gown was lovingly and painstakingly restored by Amy Senter of Irving.  It took her about two years to complete this task, finished in 1997.

With wallpaper similar to the original pattern used when the house was built in 1912, this bedroom contains furniture, bed, dresser and washstand originally the property of the Paschal P. Tuckers of Dallas, Mrs. Virginia Schulze’s parents.  It is Victorian walnut with burl walnut inlay.  The bedspread was crocheted by Mrs. Tucker to fit the bed.

In the garden area behind the Heritage House is Mary’s Playhouse.  Originally a chicken coop, it was converted as a playhouse for the young Mary Schulze in the 1920’s.  It contains many toys, books, and items belonging to Mary and her brother Charles.

To see photos of the Heritage House and Mary’s Playhouse, visit www.irvingheritage.com.  For more information, contact 972-252-3838.

The Celebrating Irving Geocaching Finale will be held on Sunday, April 30, at 3pm in the Jaycee Center for the Arts, 1975 Puritan Drive.  Participants who have found 50 percent of the locations in the Celebrating Irving series will receive a special prize in addition to other prizes to be awarded.  You do have to be present to win. Refreshments will be served.

For information about registering to participate in the geocaching search of the Celebrating Irving series, visit www.irvingheritage.com or call 972-252-3838.