Help the Sophienburg continue to tell the real stories of New Braunfels. Donate

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

Recent Posts

  • Fourth of July reflections

    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

    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

    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

Texas Travel Awards Winner 2025We’ve just been named a winner of the 2025 Texas Travel Awards! We couldn’t have done it without YOU, our incredible customers. Your support has fueled this amazing achievement, and we’re so proud to be part of the vibrant Texas travel community. Here’s to more adventures, milestones, and memories together. Thank you for being part of our journey! 

Sophienburg Podcast

Logo for NB Reflects, the Sophienburg PodcastNB 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

Weihnachtsmarkt

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

© Copyright Sophienburg Museum and Archives. Other content copyright the respective owners.