James Glassman has spent his entire life in Houston, but he’s quick to point out that being even a fifth-generation local doesn’t make you special.
“We’re not pretentious about that the way other cities are,” he said. “We don’t care how long you’ve been in Houston — we’re happy you’re here.”
That sentiment, welcoming and a little self-effacing, is the foundation of Houstorian, the history preservation project he launched nearly 20 years ago, which has since become a recognizable voice in the city’s cultural landscape. Houstorian has published books (the “Houstorian Calendar” is always on my desk or in my hands), is constantly educating its 80,000 social media followers on important moments in this city’s history, and there’s even a Houstorian merch line.
The why
History was Glassman’s passion long before Houstorian was founded in 2006…