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Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Archives open for research by appointment only, 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Phone 830-629-1572.
Upcoming Events
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Kaffeeklatsch (July 16, 2025)
Coffee, Conversation, and Crafts July 16, 9:00-10:30 AM – Terra cotta ornament Join us for a morning coffee break with a German twist. Make new…
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Kaffeeklatsch (August 20, 2025)
Coffee, Conversation, and Crafts August 20, 9:00-10:30 AM Felted wool ball with embroidery ornament Join us for a morning coffee break with a German twist.…
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Fiesta Patria: La Calera (September 6, 2025)
Fiesta Patria! El Pueblo Que Era — The Town That Was 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — A free museum day ... Join us ... featuring resources…
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Closed for Comal County Fair Parade (Sept. 26, 2025)
The Sophienburg Archives and Museum will be closed Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, for the Comal County Fair Parade. Sophienburg Hours and Admissions More About the…
Recent Posts
Fourth of July reflections
By Tara V. Kohlenberg — Ah, yes, American Independence Day. The Fourth of July. The Fourth. Every American knows what The Fourth is. For some, the fourth of July is boating on the lake or …Read more >The Sophienburg Museum & Archives unveils new brand
New Braunfels founder Prince Carl Solms and his bride Sophia are taking on a hip, modern style in a new branding campaign for The Sophienburg Museum and Archives (SMA) that hopes to generate awareness of …Read more >The miraculous electric belt
By Keva Hoffmann Boardman — It’s a crumbling brown leather belt with an insert of linked silver-plated rectangular batteries. It might not look like much, but this curious artifact, an electric belt, represents a weird …Read more >
Welcome to the Sophienburg Museum and Archives.
Take the journey with Prince Carl and his group of German colonists as they cross the ocean and make their way into central Texas. Admire their courage and determination to establish a new colony at the edge of Indian Territory. Exhibits, rich in local artifacts, photographic images, maps and documents, take visitors through the history and cultural heritage of New Braunfels and Comal County. The Sophienburg Museum offers public lectures, school programs and community events that promote the area’s unique history.
2025 Texas Travel Awards

Sophienburg Podcast
NB Reflects
Each episode of NB Reflects is a sample of a Reflections recording. Reflections is a vast collection of oral histories recorded and stored at the Sophienburg Museum and Archives in New Braunfels, Texas. EPISODES (RSS Feed)
Weihnachtsmarkt 2024
Thank you to all of the volunteers, vendors, and shoppers who helped to make Weihnachtsmarkt 2024 amazing! We'll see you next year for another amazing market.
Weihnachtsmarkt Sponsors
Board and Staff
Board of Directors
Kimberly Wersterfer — President
Ginger Taylor — Vice President
Gina Engler — Secretary
Gregg Goebel — Treasurer
Tammy Albrecht, Lonny Aleman, Dean Braune, Lindsay Haas, Mallory Hines, Teresa Johnson, Valin Miller, Andrew Noonan, Drew Snider, Myra Zunker — Directors
Staff
Jenn Singleterry — Executive Director
Keva Boardman — Curator/Programs
Melissa Wilson — Director of Development
Amy Schorn — Sophie’s Shop Manager
Meagan Baker — Event Coordinator
Beverly Wigley — Archives Coordinator
Shelley Lassig — Administrative Assistant/Membership
Dixie Kellum — Bookkeeper
Catherine Suniga — Achives Associate
Linda Schwarzlose, Dorothy Constable, Mark Altenhoff, Sylvia Segovia, Elizabeth Martinez, Sarah Perez — Museum Associates
Carolyn Phelan — Programming Associate
Crystal Antosh, Andra Summerville — Retail Associates
Scott Cowin — Reflections