JUSTICE KEN WISE TO SPEAK AT BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM

  

The Brenham Heritage Museum will welcome Justice Ken Wise for the final guest lecture in its 2026 Dr. Wilfred Dietrich Speaker Series.

Justice Wise is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, September 22, where he will present an examination of the landmark 1871 trials of Kiowa leaders Satanta and Big Tree.

The program will explore this pivotal moment in Texas history, widely recognized as the first known instance in which Native American chiefs were tried in a U.S. state civil court.

Drawing on his background in law and history, Justice Wise will consider the case's legal, cultural, and historical significance.

Justice Wise is in his 22nd year of service as a Texas judge. He has served on Houston’s Fourteenth Court of Appeals for the past 12 years and previously served as judge of both the 152nd and 334th District Courts. He holds degrees from Texas A&M University, the University of Houston Law Center, and Sam Houston State University, where he earned a master’s degree in history.

A members-only reception with light bites and refreshments will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Brenham Heritage Museum, 105 South Market Street in Brenham.

Admission is free for Museum members and $15 for non-members. Membership information is available at bhmtexas.org/memberships.

The Museum will announce its 2027 speaker series in January. Donations to support the speaker series are appreciated and help the Brenham Heritage Museum continue providing high-quality educational programs for the community. You may mail contributions to Brenham Heritage Museum, 310 East Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833.

For more information and to RSVP, visit bhmtexas.org.