Sam Houston Memorial Museum and other Huntsville, TX Things to Do Tips

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is part of Sam Houston State University and is dedicated to preserving the memory of Sam Houson (1793-1863) and his times. The museum complex is located on the site of the homestead of General Sam Houston. In 1905, faculty and students of Sam Houston State University organized a drive to purchase the land. With community support the museum grew, and in 1936 the state legislature granted funds to build the rotunda building that now houses the main collection of Houston memorbilia.

Sam Houston, for whom Houston, Texas is named, was a larger-than-life figure in Texas and American history. He is the only person who ever served as governor of two different states and also president of a nation. He was elected governor of Tennessee, President of the Republic of Texas, and then governor of the State of Texas. As a general, Sam Houston led the fight for Texas independence, defeating Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

As a Tennessean, one thing about the museum disappointed me. Only passing reference was made of the fact that Sam Houston was a Tennessee congressman and governor before he ever went to Texas. I mentioned this oversight to the curator, who told me that all the museum needed was another $250,000, and they were planning an exhibit that would include Houston's Tennessee years. It's been 100 years since the inception of the museum, which seems to me enough time to get around to recognizing Houston's Tennessee roots.

Admission to the museum is free, but a $2.00 donation is requested.

Hours:
Tues. - Sat. - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sun. - 12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Holidays

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Phone: 1-936-294-1832
Address: P. O. Box 2057, Huntsville, TX 77341
Directions: Sam Houston Avenue at 19th Street.
Website: www.shsu.edu/~smm_www

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex is built on a portion of the former Houston farm and features the Woodland Home, built by Sam and Margaret Houston in 1848, and occupied by them during much of the time he spent in the U.S. Senate, after Texas became the 28th state. Four of Houston's eight children were born here. Houston moved from this house when he was elected governor of Texas.

The home is a simple log cabin with whitewashed board siding. It was made in the traditional "dog-trot" style which allowed a cooling breeze to flow through the center. Dogs, cats, chickens and children also ran through the opening.

Woodland home is open for self -guided tours. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Hours:
Tues. - Sat: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sun: 12 noon - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Holidays

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Phone: 1-936-294-1832
Address: P.O. Box 2057, Huntsville, TX 77341
Directions: Behind the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, corner of Sam Houston Avenue and 19th Street.
Website: www.shsu.edu/~smm_www

Sitting beside the Woodland House is Sam Houston's Law office. This small log building was the center of Texas politics and also served as a Masonic Lodge in the early days of the Texas frontier. According to family tradition, no women or children were allowed inside this building. Joshua, Sam Houston's personal slave, was allowed inside periodically to clean up.

Hours:
Tues. - Sat: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sun: 12 noon - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Holidays

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Phone: 1-936-294-1832
Address: P. O. Box 2057, Huntsville, TX 77341
Directions: On the Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds, Same Houston Avenue and 19th Street.
Website: www.shsu.edu/~smm_www

The Steamboat House was built by Dr. Rufus Bailey in the 1850s and is the house where Sam Houston came to live after resigning the Governorship of Texas in 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War. Houston was pro- union, but could not prevent Texas from siding with the Confederacy.

He died in the house in 1863, and his funeral was conducted from the upstairs parlor. Although not on its original site, it was moved to the museum park and restored in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial.

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Phone: 1-936-294-1832
Directions: On the grounds of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, Sam Houston Avenue and 19th Street.
Website: www.shsu.edu/~smm_www

This log building is a replica of the original that once served the Houston family. In those days the kitchen was usually a detached building, so a fire in the kitchen would not burn down the entire house. Also it kept the kitchen heat out of the main house during summer. This replica was entirely handmade in 1993, by museum craftsmen, utilizing pioneer materials and contruction techniques. It is outfitted with period furnishings and utensils.

In addition to cooking, the kitchen would have been the center for numerous other household chores including: soap and candle making, laundry and bathing.

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Phone: 1-936-294-1832
Directions: On the grounds of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, at Sam Houston Avenue and 19th Street.
Website: www.shsu.edu/~smm_www

Huntsville is home of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. There are 8 prison units in the Huntsville vicinity. A driving tour offers a brief history of the Huntsville Unit, the 1st prison unit of the state of Texas. The driving tour also includes general information on the other units in the area.

The driving tour starts at the Texas Prison Museum where a brochure and map may be obtained. It ends at the prison cemetery. One of the more sobering things you may see is "death row", which often makes it's way into the national news media.

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Phone: 1-936-295-2155
Address: 491 Hwy. 75 North, Huntsville, TX 77320
Directions: The Texas Prison Museum and beginning point of the driving tour is at exit 118 on I-45, at Hwy. 75 North.
Website: www.txprisonmuseum.org