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 6, 7, 13, and 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 for non-members until May 1 and then $50 after and are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org/homestour or by calling 409-765-7834. Members of Galveston Historical Foundation can purchase specially priced $40 tickets by logging into their #GalvestonHistory+ account at www.galvestonhistory.org/galvestonhistoryplus.
“The annual historic homes tour features everything from recent large-scale residential restorations to small livable coastal cottages,” explains Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation's Executive Director. “We are bringing some of the finest examples of historic island properties to tour. The 2023 tour is once again a great introduction to the island’s architecture for newcomers as well as a familiar set of wonderful properties to those who have attended GHF’s homes tours for years.”
2023 HOMES ON TOUR
McKinney-McDonald House, Built 1890
926 Winnie
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.
Julius Lobenstein Tenant Cottage, Built 1890
1212 19th Street
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.
George Bendixen Corner Store & Residence, Built 1892
3128 Avenue L
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 to the building’s architecture.
Charles and Estelle Miller House, Built 1899
1826 Avenue K
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.
James and Mary Prindiville House, Built 1901
1127 Avenue M
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.
Edmund and Lorena Toebelman House, Built 1905
1113 Church Street
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.
Joseph and Frances Gengler House, Built 1905
2102 Avenue P
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.
Nathan and Mary Spence House, Built 1906
1928 Avenue O
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.
City National Bank Building, Built 1920
2219 Market Street
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.
Joseph and Edith Eiband House, Built 1928
3112 Broadway
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.
HOMES TOUR SPECIAL EVENTS
Plein Air Southwest
This year's Galveston Historic Homes Tour will once again partner with Outdoor Painters Society's Plein Air Southwest for their annual member's competition, show, and sale featuring over 40 juried artists. These artists will record history across the island through paintings created during the tour. A public art sale will open at the 1880 Garten Verein, 2704 Avenue O, on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Proceeds from the sale of artwork benefit Galveston Historical Foundation.
May 6, 5 p.m. – Silk Stocking Tour and Tasting
Galveston's Silk Stocking National Register Historic District is rolling out the homes tour red carpet for a special evening highlighting five of the neighborhood's historic homes at a special block party. Guests will enjoy self-guided tours of the participating homes with a specially curated tasting menu, light hor d'oeuvres, and live music. Stroll 24th Street, surrounded by the neighborhood's charm, while taking in the sights! $60 per person, does not include a Homes Tour ticket.
May 13, 5 p.m. – Homes Tour Happy Hour at the 1838 Menard House
Celebrate the 49th annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour with self-guided tours of the oldest home on Galveston Island! Typically not open to the public, the 1838 Menard House will play host to light appetizers, margaritas, music, and more. $60 per person, does not include a Homes Tour ticket.
May 5 & 12, 7 p.m. – History on Tap Dinners
Enjoy a specially created dinner cooked by an award-winning chef in a Homes Tour home. Homes featured will be the 1890 McKinney-McDonald House on May 5 and the 1920 City National Bank Building on May 12. $200 per person, includes a Homes Tour ticket.
May 14, 10 a.m. – Mother's Day Champagne Brunch in the 1880 Garten Verein
Celebrate mom at the 49th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour! Held in the gorgeous 1880 Garten Verein, this festive brunch features individual seating for you and your group, a special gift, Mother's Day corsage, live music, and more. Reservations are $85 without a Homes Tour ticket or $95 with a ticket.
May 6 & 13, 3 and 5 p.m. – Galveston Island Historic Trolly Tours
The Galveston Historic Homes Tour Trolly Tours give participants a guided tour through some of the island's most notable properties from the comfort of a rubber-wheeled trolley. Led by an authorized Galveston Historical Foundation guide, learn the stories, people, and places that contributed to Galveston's rich history. $45 per person, does not include a Homes Tour ticket.
Dates and Topics:
- Saturday, May 6 @ 3 p.m.: Antebellum & Greek Revival Architecture w/ Dwayne Jones
- Saturday, May 6 @ 5 p.m.: President Grant's Galveston Visit w/ Edward T. Cotham, Jr.
- Saturday, May 13 @ 3 p.m.: Twin Sister Houses w/ Jana and Dana Smidt
- Saturday, May 13 @ 5 p.m.: President Grant's Galveston Visit w/ Edward T. Cotham, Jr.
May 6, 7, 13 & 14, 11:30 a.m. – Lunch and Learn Lectures
Galveston Historical Foundation invites you to a Homes Tour debut with our Lunch and Learn series. Held each day of the tour, this series will feature specially selected speakers and topics in some of the island's favorite locations. $45 per person, includes a box lunch, does not include a Homes Tour ticket.
Dates and Topics:
- Saturday, May 6: Historic Decorative Interior of the First Presbyterian Church w/ Jhonny Langer @ First Presbyterian Church (1903 Church Street)
- Sunday, May 7: Lost Buildings of Nicholas Clayton w/ Aaron Ahlstrom @ the 1892 Bishop's Palace (1402 Broadway)
- Saturday, May 13: The 1900 Storm and Grade Raising w/ Linda MacDonald @ Menard Hall (3302 Avenue O)
- Sunday, May 14: Trailblazing Women of Galveston w/ Lauren Henry and Ivy Albright @ the 1895 Moody Mansion (2618 Broadway)
