Course Catalog

Fredericksburg

OSHER ONLINE-The History and Experience of Route 66 Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 10/5/2026 - 11/9/2026
Times: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Peter Dedek

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since its creation in 1926, America’s most famous highway has evolved from a 2,400-mile transportation corridor into a powerful symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it functions as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs, roadside attractions, and preserved motels, cafés, and gas stations. In this course, we will explore the history, cultural meaning, and enduring appeal of Route 66. Together, we will examine its origins, rise and decline, late-20th century revival, the role of nostalgia and car culture, preservation efforts, and the possible futures of this iconic highway.
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OSHER ONLINE-Cults and New Religious Movements in America Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 10/6/2026 - 11/10/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Kate Davis

America has provided fertile ground for new and alternative religions to sprout and grow. Some prosper and eventually become accepted as part of the normal religious landscape, some wither away and are forgotten, and some detonate, creating public scandal and in the worst cases, national tragedy. This course will examine New Religious Movements, popularly known as "cults", within the US context. We will examine these religious movements both from insider perspectives and outsider perceptions. We will analyze the history, practices, and beliefs of these organizations to better understand them and deconstruct misconceptions. This course covers the 18th and 19th centuries.
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OSHER ONLINE-Post War Architecture: The Innovative Architects of the Midcentury Modern Period Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 10/7/2026 - 11/11/2026
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Eleanor Schrader

From sleek new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers faced the challenge of shaping an aesthetic that reflected the ideals of post-World War II America. In this course, we will explore the optimism that defined the relationship between design and lifestyle during this period, particularly through the emergence of open living spaces in architecture. We will examine the influence of the Case Study Program and the work of leading designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, while considering these developments within the broader context of rapid social and cultural change.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

10 Things To Do Before You Get Hacked, Your Personal Cybersecurity In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/7/2026 - 10/7/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Annette Bennett

Protecting yourself online starts with small actions that will make a big difference. It's not necessary to be a tech expert in order to protect yourself online. Annette Bennett will present 10 easy steps that will cover the most common personal cybersecurity weak spots. You'll learn ways to secure your accounts, protect your identity and reduce your risk of being hacked. This class is for people with little to no experience. Bring your cell phones or tablets. Handouts will be provided
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

OSHER ONLINE-Living off The Laughter: History of Comedy in America Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 10/14/2026 - 11/18/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Eddy Friedfeld

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st Centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life. We will cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, Comedy Teams, and the Golden Age of Television. We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed and what (and whom) they laughed at.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

OSHER ONLINE-Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 10/15/2026 - 11/19/2026
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Lauren Andersen

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

Iran: People & Culture In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/15/2026 - 10/15/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Mo Saiidi

This presentation is intended to cover a personal experience of immigrating to the U.S. but also touch base on recent events with Iran. Topics will include understanding the history and culture of Iranian people as opposed to the current regime.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

Barbecue Diplomacy in 1963: LBJ and Ludwig Erhard In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/19/2026 - 10/19/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: David Schafer

During a time of Cold War tensions in December 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson hosted West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard for high level meetings at the LBJ Ranch. But it wasn’t all work. President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson took their German guests to a series of friendly events in nearby Stonewall and Fredericksburg. The class will include images, stories, a short video and live music performed by Annabel Wilkinson who, as a high school student, played the accordion during a Texas-style barbecue held in honor of Chancellor Erhard.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The Ancient Mountains of the Llano Uplift -FredericksburgIn-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/22/2026 - 10/22/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Frank Caramanica

In this class, we will discuss the ancient geology of the Llano Uplift, show the presence of a once-great mountain range, the Llano Mountains, and explain its creation by plate tectonics. We will also cover Reveille Peak Ranch, which is home to a world-class outcrop frequently visited by universities.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The Extraordinary Life of Jacob Kuechler; from Bettina, Bloodshed and Boundaries In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/27/2026 - 10/27/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Katherine Peake

"In the violent world of 19th-century Texas, Jacob Kuechler lived an extraordinary life. A German revolutionary, scientist and surveyor, he settled in Gillespie County after fleeing upheaval in Europe. A Unionist during the Civil War, he survived the Nueces Massacre, worked in Mexico during the war and later became Texas Land Commissioner during Reconstruction. His story mirrors Texas’s turbulent transformation from frontier to divided state. ‌"
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The Texas Rangers, Their Beginning 1823 to 1900 In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 11/4/2026 - 11/4/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Marvin Schroeder, Jeff Nichols, Russell Peckham

This course is a detailed program to give a better understanding of where the Texas Rangers came from, who they were and why they were so important in the rough-and-tumble years in Texas between 1823 and 1900. We will consider the men, what they had to do to survive against Indians, bandits and the elements. Learn about how the Texas Rangers made do then adapted to the rigors of "frontier life".
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

New Science on Our Most Common Killers In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 11/10/2026 - 11/10/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Matthew Geddie

All is not lost! This topic covers the recent science of preventive medicine for reducing the risk for some of the leading causes of premature death: cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Our best science also provides insights into how older people with chronic disease can still live with a strong sense of well-being. Just as we can work now to reduce our risk of dying prematurely from these diseases, we can also work now so that we have the resilience to maintain The Good Life even when disease does not spare us.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

Who Are You When You’re Not Working?: Retirement Transitioning -FredericksburgIn-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 11/10/2026 - 11/10/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Matthew Geddie

People spend years preparing financially for retirement but rarely prepare for the personal transition. When a career ends, people often lose structure, identity, social connections and purpose. This presentation explores retirement identity transition using the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change and the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Participants will leave with practical tools and resources for building a fulfilling next chapter.

People spend years preparing financially for retirement but rarely prepare for the personal transition. When a career ends, people often lose structure, identity, social connections and purpose. This presentation explores retirement identity transition using the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change and the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Participants will leave with practical tools and resources for building a fulfilling next chapter.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The City of Fredericksburg Texas Overview and Priorities In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 11/18/2026 - 11/18/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Randy Briley

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the city of Fredericksburg, including a brief history of our town, current state and an an overview of our new 2026 city council's goals and priorities to support our growth initiatives.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 11/19/2026 - 11/19/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Eric Hammersen

In 1985, the 69th Texas Legislature created the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature to advise on issues affecting older Texans. TSHL provides a nonpartisan forum for discussion and debate of issues, advocacy training and an avenue to serve Texans age 60 and above. TSHL goals center around the welfare of older Texans. The objective is to realize passage of TSHL priorities on issues affecting older Texans in the Texas Legislature. Come learn about how TSHL operates as your voice in Austin.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

Eyes of the Plains: Inside the West Texas Mesonet -FredericksburgIn-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 12/2/2026 - 12/2/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Natalie Trout

Launched by TTU, the West Texas Mesonet features over 180 stations capturing hyper-local weather events. We will explore how this grid provides real-time, rapid data that can be used for precision forecasting leading to earlier warnings for concentrated cloudbursts, like those behind the flooding that turned the Guadalupe River catastrophic and made serene Hill Country creeks rage. Since most stations sit on private land, we will highlight the critical partnership between the university and landowners and how the community directly assists emergency managers when minutes matter most.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

Data Centers, Water and Responsible Development -FredericksburgIn-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 12/8/2026 - 12/8/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Kassandra McQuillen

Data centers are a hot topic across Texas. With more than 470 proposed data centers in the Lone Star State, communities and local governments are often overwhelmed with the sudden interest of developers. We will discuss the types of data centers, developers, and business models being promoted and analyze what resources data centers require. We'll do some myth-busting and show you how to thoughtfully assess a proposed data center and its impact.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

The Phantom Rails: Riding the Fredericksburg Railroad In-Person
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 12/10/2026 - 12/10/2026
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: City Hall at East Campus
Room:
Instructor: Michael Barr

In 1913 the first locomotive rolled into Fredericksburg, covered in grease and soot, squeaking like a cheap fiddle and spewing vapor like a leaky steam pipe. A 30-year dream came true. A century later the train is gone, but traces of the phantom rails are still out there, if you know where to look.
If you do not see the "Add to Cart" button, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration may not be open 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart or renewed your membership 3) You are not signed in.

OSHER ONLINE-Great Artists in American Roots Music Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 9/28/2026 - 11/2/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Days: M
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Taylor Ackley

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.

From its emergence amid rapid cultural change in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with people who feel left behind by a shifting world. A key genre of American roots music, it captures hardships of modern life while intentionally evoking emotional response. Whether facing troubled relationships, unemployment, homelessness, loneliness, or spiritual bereft, there is a country song for you. This course traces the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of influential performers. Each session highlights key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton.

OSHER ONLINE-Tracing Our Roots: DNA, Family History, and the Politics of Identity Online
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 9/30/2026 - 11/4/2026
Times: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Angel Cervantes

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.

How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry, colonial society, and identity in the Americas? In this course, we will explore the science and methodology of genetic genealogy through the lens of first contact between European and Indigenous peoples. Using the New Mexico DNA Project as a central case study, we will examine how Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA can confirm, complicate, and challenge traditional research. Topics include Y-DNA Adam, Indigenous maternal haplogroups, the Spanish castas system, and colonial identity. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, reveal about race and belonging.

Taste of the Hill Country Demonstration Dinner In-Person
Fee: $90.00
Dates: 11/5/2026 - 11/5/2026
Times: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 1
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Sean Higginbotham

THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.

"Enjoy an evening discovering the “Taste of the Hill Country.” This 2–2.5 hour demonstration dinner combines cooking instruction with a delicious meal and carefully paired wines. Learn techniques and flavor combinations while enjoying a memorable dining experience. You'll receive a recipe booklet with step-by-step instructions and cooking tips to recreate these dishes at home. Menu: Hot Honey Apple Flatbread with Prosciutto & Arugula; Butternut Squash Bisque with Crème Fraîche & Spiced Pepitas; Bacon-Apple Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Corn Pudding & Roasted Garlic Broccolini; Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake with Orange Chantilly Cream & Toasted Pecans. Please contact the Cooking School regarding food allergies. Recipe modifications cannot be made during class."

OSHER ONLINE-Art Detectives Forgery, Provenance, and the Science of Authentication - 6 SessionsOnline
Fee: $60.00
Dates: 9/28/2026 - 11/2/2026
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 6
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Christine Massdam

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.

The public often sees the art world as the domain of wealth, trendsetters, and high rollers, yet deception lurks behind the façade. After weapons and drugs, art is the third most lucrative illicit trade, with reports suggesting that more than half of artworks are fake or misattributed. In this course, we will ask: When is a copy simply a copy, and when is it a forgery? What techniques do master forgers use? Does a collector hold true title, and how important is provenance? What can science tell us about art authenticity? We will uncover riveting stories of criminal art activity, gallery closings, and master forgeries.

Some Title

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Address

3301 4th Street, Room #224, Museum at Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX 79415
Mailing: Box 45095, Lubbock, TX 79409-5095
Phone
(806) 742-6554
Email
olli@ttu.edu

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Address

Phone

Email