Today@Sam Article

Museum Offers Tours Inside Historic Steamboat House

July 20, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

Story by Mikah Boyd

Steamboat House on the grounds of the Sam Houston Memorial MuseumThe Sam Houston Memorial Museum hosts many events throughout the summer to keep the community engaged by offering unique experiences to explore Texas History, and in some cases, the history of Huntsville. After missing out on the opportunity last year, due to the pandemic, the museum will honor the death of General Sam Houston in 1863 by opening the Steamboat House to the community.

“Sam Houston was a key figure in not only Texas history, but the history of the United States as a whole,” said Derrick Birdsall, museum curator. “On a local level, the City of Huntsville – which just celebrated its 186th birthday this week – would not be what it is today without the influence of Houston.”

Historical reenactors portray the events that occurred during Gen. Sam Houston's funeral on July 27, 1863.Visitors to the museum will encounter museum staff dressed in historical clothing who will lead them through the house for tours. With the guidance of the staff, people will be able to explore the three downstairs rooms and the upstairs parlor. In these areas, they will be able to talk with costumed historical interpreters about Sam Houston’s life in Huntsville, as well as his death.

“The opportunity to visit the home in which Houston died in will allow visitors a little glimpse into the last days of a man who shaped local, state and national history,” Birdsall said.

This immersive event will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 26 and is free to the public. The museum store will also be open during this time for those wanting to find something to remember their visit by. For more information on the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, visit http://samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com/.

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