One of the founders of the City of Galveston, Michel B. Menard arrived in Texas in 1829. He was born near Montreal in 1805 and entered the fur trading company of John Jacob Astor at the age of 14. Menard arrived in Nacogdoches in the 1830s and began speculating in Texas land. Because land was only granted to Mexican-born Texans at that time, many of Menard’s land deals were made by Juan Seguin, a Mexican citizen who eventually fought under Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. Seguin purchased 4,600 acres at the eastern end of Galveston Island on behalf of Menard in December 1836. With this claim, Menard formed the Galveston City Company with Samuel May Williams and other prominent Texas businessmen in 1838. Galveston was incorporated a year later.

The house, built in 1838 and the oldest on the island, is in the Greek revival style. The furniture and furnishings, with few exceptions, all date from the first half of the 19th century (1800-1850s).

They are of the federal, empire, regency, Biedermeier, and William IV styles, as interpreted by American, English, French and German artisans. Carpets, drapes and upholstery fabrics are reproductions appropriate for the period 1830-1850.

Michel Menard died in 1856 and his descendants occupied the house until 1879. In 1880, the house was bought by Edwin N. Ketchum. Ketchum was police chief during the 1900 Storm. The Ketchum family owned the home until the 1970s. During the early 1990s, the house was in such disrepair, it was threatened with demolition by the City of Galveston. The current owners purchased the house and spent years researching, repairing, and reconstructing it. Through a partnership with Galveston Historical Foundation, the house is operated as a museum and is available for private events.

Meeting Space

• Indoor: 75 for stand up; 24 for seated
• Outdoor: 150 for stand up function

1838 Michel B. Menard Home

1604 33rd St.

Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409)765-7834

Magnolia Manor

A Plantation – style wedding Venue and Reception Hall in South Houston

By embracing the elegance of the past, we embark on a new chapter with Magnolia Manor.  This is THE SPRINGS first colonial, plantation-style wedding venue and it’s set among some of the most beautiful, towering oak trees you’ve ever seen!

This is the second hall for THE SPRINGS in Angleton and boasts a two-story, grand reception hall and intimate, outdoor ceremony site complete will all the great amenities you’ve come to expect from THE SPRINGS.

Whether you are interested in hosting an event with Southern simplicity or dramatic grandeur, we have no doubt that Magnolia Manor’s charm and beauty will be the perfect fit for your big day.

Lyceum of Galveston Island

A Galveston historic landmark, the original Lyceum was built in the 1840’s and served as a philosophical meeting center and entertainment venue for the Galveston Island community. Upon purchase by the First Lutheran Church in Galveston in 1854, the Lyceum then became the worship center for the church, and the congregation also put it to use as the first public school in Galveston (students were charged $1 per year for tuition).

Long recognized as a center of culture in Galveston, the Lyceum Hall at the corner of 24th and Winnie Streets was the original site for one of Texas’ oldest German Lutheran Churches – the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Built in the 1840’s, the Lyceum still sits on the church grounds and is adjacent to the present Sanctuary, separated by a beautifully landscaped wrought iron-gated courtyard.

(409) 789-4142

2401 WINNIE
GALVESTON, TX 77550