The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library in Huntsville provides a unique and in-depth look at the Texas hero and the Republic of Texas executive office.
After being governor of Tennessee and living with the Cherokees in Arkansas Territory, Houston arrived in Texas in 1832, just as unrest was growing against the Mexican government. After the victory at San Jacinto, he was elected president of the Republic twice (1836-1838, 1841-1844), U.S. senator (1846-1859), and governor (1859-1861).
The museum contains an impressive collection of artifacts and documents from Houston and his third wife, Margaret Lea Houston.
Jude Routh, curator of exhibits at the museum, said her favorite item in the gallery is Houston’s leopard skin vest. A gift from his Cherokee friends and actually a jaguar skin, the vest appears in several pictures of him. Houston liked to say, “A leopard never changes its spots.”
Another favorite piece is a necklace made from Margaret’s hair. The delicate, auburn necklace is woven in open spheres. “I don’t know how they did that,” Routh said. “It’s a lost art.”
Recently added to the west gallery is a replica of the Republic’s first Executive Mansion that stood in Harrisburg, later to become the city of Houston. The museum strived for authenticity in the building and furnishings.
“It looks like a chicken shack,” Routh said. “It even has mud on the floor. At the time Houston was muddy all the time.”
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is south of the county courthouse square at 1836 Sam Houston Ave. in Huntsville. The museum is run by Sam Houston State University and is open daily, except Mondays. Throughout the year the museum holds numerous special events. Coming up, General Sam Houston Day on April 26 offers tours of two houses the Houstons lived in, historical demonstrations, hands-on activities, and period music.
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This article appears in March 28 • 2025.