home tour galveston

Mansio n Hours: Open 10am to 5pm 7 days/week (last tickets sold at 4pm). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Locat ion: 2618 broadway, galveston island, tx 77550, self-guided tour:.

• Adults: $15 • Students age 6 through 17: $7 • Children 5 & Under Free • Family & Friends Package:          SAVE 15% WHEN YOU PURCHASE FOUR OR MORE TICKETS IN THE SAME TRANSACTION, INCLUDING ADULTS AND STUDENTS.

Exclusive All-Access Guided Tour:  

All ages: $35

Guided tours include 1st and 3rd floors not normally open to the public

3:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Memorial Day Weekend; tour concludes at approximately 5:45 p. m.

All-Access Tours must be booked by 3:30 p.m…. CLICK HERE (If the online ticket page says the event is ended,  call (409) 261-3117 to see if there have been any cancellations.)

To  view our orientation video about the moody family’s history: click here., to listen to the self-guided audio tour, click here, click here for 360-degree views of moody mansion.

Restored to its turn of the century splendor, Galveston’s 28,000 square-foot, four-story Moody Mansion is an historic home completed in 1895. The home has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior since 1994 and a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark since 1967.

Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance, newspaper publishing, railroading and hotels.

W.L Moody Jr. bought the Galveston Broadway mansion from the heirs of the original owners soon after the Great Galveston Storm of September 8, 1900. It was designed by British architect William H. Tyndall and decorated by the world-famous interior design firm of Pottier & Stymus of New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Moody and their four children celebrated their first Christmas in the house in December of that year, just three months after the 1900 hurricane. The house remained home to Moody family members until 1983, when Hurricane Alicia caused major damage. Following repairs and restoration, it was opened as a house museum in 1991. Today, its rooms are filled with the furnishings and personal effects of the family.

The philanthropic legacy of the Moody family of Galveston is carried on today by the Moody Foundation and the Mary Moody Northen Endowment. Both charitable foundations are major forces in health care, education, historic preservation, and the arts.

Moody Mansion Guide Book: To read our online guidebook, click here.

Your feedback is important to us. Click here to take our guest survey after your visit.

Moody Mansion is the Travel Channel’s most famous in Texas!

Moody Mansion has been listed as one of the most famous historic houses open for tours in the nation by the Travel Channel. To see our listing, go to Travelchannel.com and scroll to Texas, then come visit Moody Mansion!

Gather a group: Moody Mansion offers discounts for groups. Call (409) 762-7668 for details.

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Participating Homes Announced For The Galveston Historic Homes Tour

Every summer, explore the beautiful nineteenth-century mansions and homes that have preserved Galveston’s architectural legacy.

Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston Island’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour.

Galveston Historic Homes Tour

Tours are held from 10AM to 6PM on May 6-7 & 13-14, 2023 . Tickets are $45 for general admission until May 1, and $50 after and through the tour. Tickets are available online or the day of at any of the tour homes.

Click Here For Homes Tour Tickets

GHF members are eligible for specially priced $40 tickets. Members can purchase at any tour home the day of the tour or online through their GalvestonHistory+ account.

Homes on Tour 2023

In 1890, Liberty and Annie McKinney hired English contractor William Evans to build this commanding Victorian house. One of the most remarkably detailed houses in the East End Historic District, decorative elements of the ornate double gallery include gooseneck pendants, undulating arches and mariner’s wheel motifs. Damaged by fire in 1993, GHF purchased the house in 2011 to save it from demolition. Featured on previous tours as a “restoration in progress,” the current owner recently completed rehabilitation of the prestigious property after purchasing it from GHF.

Capitalist Julius Lobenstein built this side-gable Victorian cottage in 1890 for use as tenant property. Lobenstein was born in Germany and immigrated to New Braunfels, Texas, before he relocated to Galveston in 1846. Located in the Lost Bayou Historic District, the tenant cottage is one of several investment properties built by Lobenstein in the neighborhood.

German immigrant George Bendixen built this corner store with attached residential wing in 1892. The building served Old Central Neighborhood as a grocery for 76 years and is representative of a vernacular form identified as a square or rectangular building with a hipped roof and entries oriented toward the corner. Recently rehabilitated for residential purposes, the owner contracted with a designer for a modern interior complementary of the building’s architecture.

Located in the Lost Bayou Historic District, Charles and Estelle Miller built this L-plan Victorian house in 1899 for use as their primary residence. GHF acquired the house after it was damaged by fire in 2018. GHF’s Revolving Fund, established in 1973 to save endangered buildings from demolition and stimulate revitalization of The Strand, supported the purchase and rehabilitation of the house that was acquired by the current owners in 2020.

New Orleans native and plaster contractor James J. Prindiville built this gable-front Victorian cottage with inset porch in 1901. When completed, the property served as his office and family’s residence. Located blocks from the beach in the San Jacinto Neighborhood, the house replaced their previous residence destroyed by the 1900 Storm.

In 1905, real estate agent Edmund Toebelman and his wife, Lorena, contracted with German carpenter Henry Rabe to build this Victorian house according to plans drawn by architect Donald McKenzie. Elevated seven feet on colossal concrete piers, the architectural massing of the East End Historic District house dominates the surrounding streetscape. Notable architectural features include an inset front porch supported by smooth Ionic columns and original interior millwork.

In 1904, Joseph Gengler married Frances Ellen Beaver and a year later, they contracted with William Janssen to build this high-raised Victorian cottage. Located on a corner lot in the San Jacinto Neighborhood, the L-plan house features a wrap-around porch that takes advantage of breezes from the Gulf of Mexico located one block south.

Nathaniel Spence, proprietor of the Texas Produce & Commission Company, and wife Mary Ann Topliffe, contracted with Galveston-born architect Donald McKenzie to build this somewhat restrained Victorian house in 1906. McKenzie designed a number of Galveston buildings in the early 20th century and is considered one of the city’s best 20th century architects.

Chicago architects Weary & Alford designed this Neoclassical stone building to house William L. Moody Jr.’s City National Bank. Renamed Moody National Bank in 1953, the bank operated until 1962 and later housed a local museum. GHF acquired the building in 2020 and recently completed rehabilitation for residential use.

Architect Raymond Rapp Sr. designed this Colonial Revival brick house for Joseph and Edith Eiband. Eiband was employed as general manager of Eiband’s Department Store, founded by his father in 1895 and once the largest privately owned retailer in the county. Located on Broadway, the Eiband House is one of the last residences constructed for a prominent family after the grand avenue was declared a state highway and first paved roadway to Houston.

Where the Texas Coast begins.

Posted 4/1/2024 by Visit Galveston

Posted 3/26/2024 by Visit Galveston

Posted 3/21/2024 by Visit Galveston

Posted 3/8/2024 by Visit Galveston

Posted 3/8/2024 by Jamie Le, OTD, OTR

GHF was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last sixty years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, coastal resiliency, and stewardship of historic properties. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life and conceives of history as an engaging story of individual lives and experiences on Galveston Island from the 19th century to the present day.

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Frequently Asked Questions : Galveston Historic Homes Tour

Have a question? We’d be happy to help! You can contact us by email or by calling 409-765-7834.

WHEN IS THE TOUR? The Galveston Historic Homes Tour is held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 4, 5, 11 & 12, 2024.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS? Tickets are $45 prior to May 1, 2024. $50 after. $40 for GHF members and groups of 20 or more. Call 409-765-3426 for details. Tickets are non-refundable.

WHEN CAN I USE MY TICKETS? Tickets are valid for both weekends. After touring a house, you cannot view it again, and tickets are not sold for individual homes.

IS THERE A SHUTTLE? We do offer a shuttle and tour pass for those interested in riding a trolley between stops. Details of that are here.

WHERE DO I START? You can start at any of the homes on tour. There is no set path of houses to see in any particular order.

WHERE CAN I BUY TICKETS? To purchase tickets for the tour and all special events, click here or call 409-765-3424. Tickets are also available on the day of each tour at any home on the tour. Children do not receive discounts; infants in arms are free.

WHERE DO I PARK? Parking is available near each tour home on a first-come, first-serve basis.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Please wear soft-soled shoes to minimize harm to floors. Hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen are highly suggested.

WILL THE TOUR BE CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER? In case of inclement weather, the tour may be discontinued temporarily or for the remainder of the day.

WHAT IS PROHIBITED? Smoking, interior video and photography, food, drinks, and pets are prohibited.

PLEASE NOTE:

Tickets are non-refundable. In case of inclement weather, the tour may be discontinued temporarily or for the remainder of the day. Smoking, photos, food, drinks, and pets are not permitted. If we can assist with special needs arrangements, please contact us at 409-765-7834 in advance of your visit.

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Incorporated in 1954, Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties.

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• The Woodlands

The Galveston Historic Homes Tour, which kicks off this weekend and continues the next, includes entry to the George and Sarah Prendergast House, built in 1886.(Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

Interior of the George and Sarah Prendergast House on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

On the Galveston Historic Homes Tour, the League-Kempner House, built in 1893, is undergoing extensive renovation after years of neglect. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

Ornate detailing in the League-Kempner House on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

Now considered a beach bungalow, this 1913 four-room cottage was one of three built as affordable housing by the Galveston Suburban Improvement Company. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

Interior of the four-room cottage known as the William and Edna Crawford House, built in 1913. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Bondies-Robertson House, built in 1877, is the oldest house on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

An interior room of the Bondies-Robertson House, built in 1877, on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Charles and Elise Eickhold House, built in 1898, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Dr. Frederick and Adelaide Fisher House, built in 1888, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

An interior of the Dr. Frederick and Adelaide Fisher House, built in 1888, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The John and Cordia Sweeny Tenant House, built in 1914, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography) (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Sealy and Mary Hutchings House, built in 1896, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Ronald and Annie Caskie House, built in 1916, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

The Benjamin Dolson Tenant House, built in 1905, is on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (Photo by Koby Brown Photography)

Go Inside 10 Historic, Private Galveston Houses — This Special Tour Takes You Places

Stepping into the past — get a closer look.

F rom grand mansions to the cutest of cottages, the Galveston Historical Foundation introduces the broad range of architectural styles on the island in the 47th annual Galveston  Historic Homes Tour, which is set to take place May 1 and 2 and May 8 and 9 from 10 am to 6 pm.

“The lineup of houses is really exciting, showcasing a range of Galveston’s best residential architecture,” the foundation ‘s executive director Dwayne Jones says in a statement. “Small to large, the houses tell great stories of island life and exhibit various ways to restore and rehabilitate our great architectural assets.

“As we recognize our 150th anniversary and through the support of homeowners opening up some great houses, we’re looking forward to this year’s tour and a number of unprecedented special events.”

The beauty of this historic tour is that it opens the doors to otherwise private, unavailable to the public, homes.

The oldest dwelling on the tour, the Bondies-Robertson House, was built in 1877 with additions and alterations from 1886 to 1904. One of the newer properties to be showcased on the tour is the charming William and Edna Crawford House, one of three spec four-room cottages built in 1913 as affordable housing.

Perhaps the most compelling house on the tour is the 1893  League-Kempner House, designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton with additions and alterations by Birdsall Briscoe made in 1920. Recently purchased from an estate, the 7,800 square foot home in the hands of new owners is undergoing extensive work to address decades of deferred maintenance and neglect. It is expected to be a show-stopper once the renovations are complete.

Further details on the tour and related events and $40 ticket reservations are available here .

Not on the tour is the iconic Bishop’s Palace at 1402 Broadway which  is in the hands of the foundation and can be visited separately while the ornate, eye-catching Ashton Villa serves as home to the Galveston Island Visitor’s Center. It is not open for touring but can be booked for special events.

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Buy • Sell • Lease

Talk to TGRE at 713-857-2309

This year TGRE will be hosting two homes on the tour. We hope to see you there!

Talk to Tom’s Team! Yippee Skippee

THE GALVESTON HISTORIC HOMES TOUR Presented by TGRE MAY 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2022

Tom Schwenk, Owner/Broker of TGRE – Tom’s Galveston Real Estate says:

TGRE is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Galveston Historical Foundation’s 48th Annual Historic Homes Tour!

I’ve had a long history of involvement with the tour, first as a visitor in 1985, then as a volunteer in 1989.

In the years that followed I’ve been a volunteer, docent, ticket taker, house chair and a sponsor. Whatever your involvement it is always a fantastic event and a great way to celebrate Galveston’s history one home at a time.

Sign up for TGRE’s email newsletter and live like a local. We highlight Galveston events, local celebrations, great people and expert advice on buying, selling, or leasing your home in Galveston! 

Visit with tom schwenk, house chair on may 8, 2022.

Contractor Charles Franks built this wood frame bungalow with inset porch in 1922 for cotton clerk Sidney Stubbs and his wife, Thelma Bagnal.

In 1941, Owen and Cora Garrigan purchased the home, Garrigan worked as a bookkeeper before he established Garrigan’s Sporting Goods at 514 Tremont.

Located in the Lasker Park Neighborhood, the family maintained ownership of the bungalow until 2007

Visit with Robert Zahn, Ticket Chair on May 8, 2022

Real Estate broker and developer August J. Henck built this raised L-plan Queen Anne cottage in 1897.

Prominent features of this cottage include a gabled roof with dove-tail shingles and ornamental cornice brackets and original Victoria glass windows that depict the moon, stars and nautical shells.

Henck’s daughter Sadie inherited the cottage in 1931 and lived there until 1960.

Homes Tour At A Glance

• Visit private homes on public tours for the first two weekends in May!
• 9 homes on tour
• 2 new construction homes
• Tickets start at $35 online, $40 at the door
• Six special events
• open air painting,
• walking tours,
• happy hours,
• a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch

Participating Homes and Locations

• 1874 Robert and Ellen Hughes House (523 10th Street) | Cover House
• 1897 August J. Henck Cottage (1412 Sealy)
• 1894 Adolph and Augusta Helmann Cottage (1314 24th Street)
• 1896 Oscar and Mary Walker House (1318 24th Street)
• 1906 Romanet-Glenn House (2605 Broadway)
• 1922 Stubbs-Garrigan Bungalow (3727 Avenue P)
• 1931 Dr. Albert and Willie Dean Singleton House (1602 Broadway)
• 1866 Thomas and Frances Blythe House (1414 Avenue L) | Rehabilitation in Progress – 1st Weekend Only
• 2020 Magruder Cottage (1410 26th Street) | New Construction Highlight – 1st Weekend Only
• 1927 Dr. William and Frances Fletcher House (31 Cedar Lawn Circle) | Rehabilitation in Progress – 2nd Weekend Only
• 2022 Plum House (2925 Ursuline) | New Construction Highlight – 2nd Weekend Only

Event Details

• Historic Home Tours are only held on May 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2022. General tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the tour. There are no tours are given during the week.
• Your tour pass is good for both weekends of the tour. However, you may not tour a home twice.
• You can start your tour at any of the homes, and view them in the order you prefer.
• Tickets are not sold for individual homes. There are no discounts for children. Infants in arms are free.
• Parking is available near each tour home on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no shuttle service available.
• Please wear soft-soled shoes to minimize harm to floors. Hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen are highly suggested.
• In case of inclement weather, the tour may be discontinued temporarily or for the remainder of the day.
• Smoking, photos, food, drinks, and pets are not permitted.

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©2023 Coldwell Banker TGRE. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker TGRE fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affilated with or related to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.

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Explore Galveston's Historic Homes

Discover galveston through historic home tours.

By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on September 12, 2023

A city of surprises, historic Galveston has played host to Hollywood starlets, pirates, bootleggers, hardworking first-generation American entrepreneurs and more throughout the years. People flock here seeking respite on the stunning beaches and a place to realize their dreams. This seaside city's storied history is told through the architecture of Galveston's historic homes.

Join me on a guided tour of historic homes in Galveston, and a few of my favorite architectural wonders.

Start At The Beginning

Though the average beachgoer might not realize it, Galveston is considered to have one of the most impressive examples of Victorian residential architecture in the U.S. When you visit, discover this for yourself by touring the impressive collection of historic homes in Galveston, in addition to churches and other buildings here on the island. A visit here will be enriched by learning the story of some of the island's most illustrious residents and longstanding architecture.

As you wander through beautiful Galveston, you may notice some of the architecture is similar to others, and you'd be right. The island is dotted with so many fine examples of architect Nicholas J. Clayton's designs — more than 150 from 1870 to 1900 — that the era has been dubbed the "Clayton Era" in Galveston. The Irish-born Clayton contributed his designs for many buildings, particularly Catholic cathedrals, throughout Texas. But Clayton's high Victorian style found a home in Galveston, where the rapid growth — thanks to the influx of immigrants through this busy port and a wealthy clientele seeking luxury homes on East Broadway — ensured that he and fellow architects had a blank canvas upon which to experiment and create their masterpieces.

A Glimpse At Galveston's Most Intriguing Historic Homes

Perhaps Galveston's most remarkable Victorian residential architecture designed by Clayton, the 1892 Bishop's Palace — also known as Gresham House or Gresham's Castle — cannot be missed on your Galveston trip. Located at 1402 Broadway in the East End Historic District, the intricate wood carved and glowing stained-glass details throughout its three stories are truly breathtaking.

The home was commissioned by railroad magnate Walter Gresham and later housed the local bishop. It survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane — one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history — during which Gresham is said to have provided refuge at his home for Galvestonians who lost theirs. Bishop's Palace is open for self-guided historic home tours in Galveston Wednesday through Monday. A Basement to Attic Tour, giving access to areas usually off limits to the public, is hosted by the Galveston Historical Society twice per month.

Learn The Legends Behind Historic Homes

According to one legend, the erection of the mansion now known as Open Gates began with a challenge from Magnolia Sealy to her husband, influential Galveston businessman George Sealy: "Sir, I'll give you a second son if you'll build me the finest home in Galveston," she is alleged to have said. The neo-Renaissance mansion was designed by New York architect Stanford White in 1889 with a carriage house designed by architect Clayton completed in 1891 (the year the Sealys welcomed a second son, in addition to their five daughters). The exterior decor, which boasts terracotta roof tiles and sun-ray ornamentation, complements Galveston's temperate climate. Open Gates is currently owned and occupied by the University of Texas and is not open for public tours, though there's much to be admired from the outside.

Complete the Broadway mansion circuit with Ashton Villa, an Italianate three-story structure with wrought iron front-facing balconies that feel a bit like neighboring port city New Orleans. Built in 1859, it's the oldest of this group of historic mansions and was one of the first known brick buildings in the state of Texas. It was built by James M. Brown for his family, and its Grand Ballroom hosted many legendary Galveston parties in its heyday. It is not available for public tours, but due to a persistent supernatural legend of one of Brown's daughters, it's an occasional stop on Galveston ghost tours.

To see Galveston's oldest home, head to the Michel B. Menard House on 33rd Street, which was constructed in 1839 for a Canadian fur trader and a founder of the city of Galveston. Its four columns herald the home's Greek Revival style. Though it's not the most lavish of all of Galveston's historic homes, the furniture and artifacts inside are authentic to the time period. The home is not available for regular public tours, but occasional private events are held here and visitors can take a glimpse of the exterior on a walking tour.

Other Must-See Historic Stops On Your Galveston Tour

Galveston is such a walkable city, and a self-guided tour is definitely doable to see many places in just one day, before or after your cruise. Though Segway, bicycle, walking, and ghost tours abound in historic Galveston, a somewhat unusual — and tangentially architecture-related — self-guided tour is the Tree Sculpture Tour, showcasing imaginative sculptures transformed by once-towering oak trees that were taken down during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Galveston homeowners and artists made the best out of a bad situation and used the tree waste to dream up these whimsical sculptures. These intriguing tree sculptures are all over the city — can you spot them all?

While you cruise out of Galveston and tour the key historic sites, be sure to visit The Bryan Museum, a repository for some of the world's most robust collections of American West memorabilia and artwork all housed in the former Galveston Orphans Home. The home was built in 1902 to replace its former location, which was destroyed during the devastating hurricane of 1900. The Bryan Museum bought the building in 2013 and has preserved it in the condition it was in way back when it was used as an orphanage. Today, you can explore the museum exhibits that focus on uniquely Galveston ephemera. Recent exhibits focus on 140 years of swimwear and Galveston beachside bathing machines, which ensured modesty for changing into swimsuits during the Victorian era. If you can, stop by the conservatory, a beautiful glass-domed building with chandeliers.

The Grand 1894 Opera House is on Postoffice Street, just a few blocks from the historic Strand District in Galveston's downtown Cultural Arts District. Deemed the "Official Opera House of the State of Texas," the Grand still operates year-round, hosting musical acts, theatrical performances and more. Visitors can marvel at the Romanesque Revival style with original stone and terracotta trim designed by New Orleans architect Frank Cox.

There are so many ways to immerse yourself in historic Galveston and find out what makes this city just so exciting. Put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and discover Galveston, Texas .

Written By CYNTHIA J. DRAKE

Cynthia J. Drake is an award-winning freelance writer in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Wine Enthusiast, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Cruise Critic, AAA, Texas Monthly, and others. She specializes in writing about food, cruise travel, family travel, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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