Wanna see some interesting historic houses? Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s incredible architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. Tours will be held on May 5, 6, 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 for non-members before May 1 and $35 after and are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org. Members of Galveston Historical Foundation can purchase specially priced $25 tickets by calling 409-765-3405 or by visiting any of GHF’s retail locations.
“This year we highlight several houses featured on prior tours as a ‘rehabilitation in progress house.’ The before and after projects show great personal style, but still respect the history and architecture that makes our island’s properties so unique,” says Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director. “You will not want to miss this extraordinary line up of historic homes, from small to large, that will make you want your own architectural project in Galveston.”
2018 HOMES ON TOUR
Architect Charles W. Bulger designed this exquisite Queen Anne house for banker William Cooke Skinner and his wife, Adele. Born and educated in Indiana, Bulger arrived in Galveston in 1891, where he practiced for several years before moving to Dallas in 1905.Bulger’s design features a multi-gabled roof-line, wrap-around galleries and finely crafted details. The property is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (2017).
Architect Thomas J. Overmire designed this Italianate house for early land speculator J. Mayrant Smith. Smith resided there briefly before he sold the house in 1880 to Susan Hartley, widow of early Texas legislature Oliver Cromwell Hartley. Hartley was the sister of Rebecca Sealy, wife of prominent Galvestonian John Sealy. The property was featured during the 2014 Homes Tour as the Preservation in Progress house
Bavarian immigrant Adolph Frenkel purchased this Victorian house in 1884. A year after he purchased the property, Frenkel married Regina Marx, an immigrant from Frankfurt, Germany. After their wedding, the couple added two rooms to the rear of the property and installed electric lights, which had recently become available in Galveston. The house is one of three identical houses built by the Galveston Real Estate and Loan Association as investment property in 1883.
In 1887, John Burnett, president of the Gulf City Street Railway & Real Estate Company, built four identical two-story houses south of Broadway in the working-class San Jacinto neighborhood. After the turn of the 19th century, 2123 K was used as a boarding house, before being divided into a duplex during the 1940s. Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) purchased the property in 2014 and returned the building to a single-family residence. After they stabilized the property, GHF sold it to the current owners who completed a thorough rehabilitation of the house.
Thomas Jefferson League Jr., and wife, Lillie, built this house on property once owned by League’s grandfather, Samuel May Williams, a prominent figure in early Texas history. The elegant two-story house features original woodwork and a full-width porch. The original turned porch columns and balusters were replaced by Craftsman-like elements in the early 20th century.
Kentucky natives, James William Lowber and his wife, Maggie, built this high-raised, two-story Victorian with Queen Anne features in 1895. Lowbar came to Galveston to serve as the pastor for Central Christian Church, founded in 1877. After they relocated to Austin, the Lowbers used their Galveston house as tenant property until 1904. The original insurance record for the house notes it was “wrecked” by the 1900 Storm and repaired in 1901.
Benjamin Dolson built this two-story Southern townhouse with double gallery in 1905. Dolson, a partner in Suderman & Dolson, operated a maritime business of commercial stevedores and harbor tug pilots. Moved by Galveston Historical Foundation in 2017 to save it from demolition, the Foundation’s scope of work includes new pier-and-beam foundation and a replacement roof, repair and restoration of key architectural and structural elements, and new mechanical systems.
John T. Gilbert, an engineer for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad, built this house in 1913. The Victorian property shows how residential design began to transition in Galveston to the revival periods of the early 20th century. The City of Galveston designated the property a City Landmark in 2017. Rehabilitation of the house was featured on Home and Garden Television’s (HGTV) pilot series, “Saving Galveston.”
Yugoslovian immigrants Paul and Veska Chushcoff built this high-raised, gable-front house for use as tenant property. In 2005, new owners rehabilitated and raised the building to accommodate additional living space on the ground floor. The modest, vernacular house is similar to many tenant houses built in Galveston during the late 19th early 20th century.
HOMES TOUR SPECIAL EVENTS
Seats are limited at all special events with pricing, times and reservations available at www.galvestonhistory.org.
May 5, 6 and 12, 8 a.m. – Bishop’s Breakfast
The 1892 Bishop’s Palace will open its doors for an exclusive breakfast in the main dining room. Enjoy breakfast and a complimentary audio tour of the house. $85, includes homes tour ticket.
May 4 & 11, 7 p.m. – History on Tap Dinners
Enjoy a specially created dinner, cooked by an award winning chef, in a Homes Tour home. Tour home owners will lead you on a special tour of the property while you enjoy a one of a kind evening in historic Galveston! $150 per person, includes homes tour ticket.
May 5, 5 p.m. – Cinco at The Depot
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo and tour the GH&H railroad depot! Enjoy live music, complimentary tacos, margaritas, beer, and wine while learning more about the Galveston Flood exhibit and programming that is coming soon to this amazing property. Tour of one of Galveston’s last, untouched historic railroad and industrial sites. It’s rustic, but beautiful! $45 per person.
May 12, 5 p.m. – Rehabilitation in Progress Backyard Party
See what preservation looks like firsthand. Get a close-up view and tour of three GHF revolving fund projects at this backyard party. Enjoy live music, complimentary food, beer, and wine, while seeing the amazing work that goes into each home as they are prepared for future sale. $45 per person.
May 13, 9 a.m. – Mother’s Day Brunch at the 1838 Menard House Complex
Celebrate mom with this special brunch and tour. Enjoy a hearty brunch, door prizes, flowers and more in Menard Hall, then take a tour of Galveston’s oldest residence, the 1838 Menard House! $70 per person, includes homes tour ticket.
For more information on Galveston Historical Foundation’s 44th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour or any of the associated special events, please contact Will Wright, Director of Communications & Special Events at 409-765-3404,
