The historic Tall Ship Elissa returns to Galveston after a three-month, 2,500-mile voyage commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

Galveston's Tall Ship Elissa participated in the Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail in New York Harbor, marking its first visit to the city since 1986 as part of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations.

The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, the Official Tall Ship of Texas and a National Historic Landmark, has departed Galveston to join Sail250, a global tall ship gathering marking America's 250th anniversary. Fresh from maintenance and restoration, ELISSA is undertaking her longest voyage in decades with stops at several East Coast cities, culminating in leading a flotilla into New York Harbor on July 4. Operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation, the ship serves as a traveling classroom and cultural ambassador, hosting tours and educational events at each port. ELISSA, one of the few active 19th-century merchant ships, continues to preserve and share Galveston's maritime and immigration heritage with contemporary audiences.

Just down the road from Houston, there’s a city where history refuses to rest. Galveston — the most haunted city in America — is full of beauty, mystery, and a few permanent residents who never quite crossed over.

Galveston aims for a Guinness World Record while honoring victims of the 1900 “Great Storm.”

It’s the 50th anniversary of Galveston’s annual holiday extravaganza, Dickens on the Strand.

Oh weekend, how we yearn for thee!

Once a year in Galveston, privacy goes out the window as the owners of historic homes open their doors to visitors as part of an island-wide event.

Houstonians can attend the Tall Ships Galveston festival this week to get up close and personal with historical ships and learn more about them.

Certain homes in Galveston are known for their long history, and Tom Schwenk Galveston Real Estate and the Galveston Historical Foundation want to showcase them for a few weekends in May.

On an Island jam-packed with artifacts and treasures of the days long past, one particularly large and beloved relic is a must-see -- The Elissa, the Official Tall Ship of Texas. Now, sailing novices, history buffs and gutsy landlubbers enamored by the sea have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail history.

Fun summer days are just around the corner.

GALVESTON, Texas – Galveston Historical Foundation’s Board of Directors voted to cancel the 2020 Dickens on the Squares event, scheduled for December 4 and 5 in downtown Galveston, due to the coronavirus. The event was previously modified to Dickens on the Squares. The event was to be held at five separate locations throughout Galveston to address coronavirus concerns, but ultimately, organizers canceled the event. MORE: The history of ‘Dickens on the Strand,’ one of Texas’ beloved holiday traditionsThe board cited the increase in local, regional, and state numbers relating to COVID-19. Each December, Dickens celebrates our Victorian heritage on the island and salutes one the great Christmas stories of the English language,” Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director, said via a statement on the Galveston Historical Foundation website.

Dickens on the Strand, an annual Christmas celebration, will go on the weekend of Dec. 5 but with changes. The market features numerous craft, food, and holiday vendors that guests seek out each year,” according to Galveston Historical Foundation, which has hosted the holiday tradition for over 46 years. Business owners said they welcome the changes as a way to carry on tradition while maintaining safety protocol during the pandemic. Montemayor said sales have improved roughly 40% since summer when area bars and restaurants along the tourist destination were shuttered. Wendy Morgan, co-owner of the Admiralty on the Strand and Tina’s on the Strand, said sales look good as both businesses gear up for holiday sales.

As the holidays approach, we’re reflecting on the traditions and events beloved by Texans. For several years, Galveston’s Christmas festival Dickens on the Strand has been a big hit during the holiday season, drawing crowds of more than 35,000, according to Galveston Historical Foundation. “This annual holiday tradition is an important community event that gives us the opportunity to welcome the holiday season each year,” Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director Dwayne Jones said. Dickens on the Strand is a 19th-century Victorian-themed festival that brings visitors back to the Charles Dickens era. Dickens on The Squares is set to take place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 - 6.

The Official Tall Ship of Texas, the Elissa is celebrating its 143rd trip around the sun. The Galveston Historical Foundation is commemorating the occasion with a seaport celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24. Through the years, the ship changed hands and names multiple times, sometimes going by Fjeld, Gustaf, Christophoros and Achaios, according to the Texas State Historical Association. In 1978, the Galveston Historical Foundation brought the ship from Greece to Galveston, restored the vessel and converted it into a floating museum. Fun fact: In 1978 the ship became the first item outside the United States to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Galveston is rich with history and culture, boasting many historic sites and landmarks, including several historical homes that offer insight into the island’s past. It was then that The Galveston Historical Foundation purchased the home to stabilize the property and secure it a new owner. Through a partnership with The Galveston Historical Foundation, the house operates as a museum and event venue. (galvestonhistory.org)Ashton Villa was not only the first mansion built on Broadway Boulevard, it was the first mansion built on the island and one of the first brick residences in Galveston, according to Galveston.com. The Moody Mansion is available for public tours daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.2618 Broadway Avenue J, (409) 762-7668; moodymansion.org