Sam Houston, who was born in Virginia in 1793 and lived in Tennessee for over 20 years, moved to Texas territory in the 1830s as the conflict between recently independent Mexico and Texians (Anglo immigrants) began heating up. Texians wanted their own country, free of Mexican rule, and declared independence from Mexico in 1836 which lead to the siege of the Alamo by Mexican president Santa Anna. Two months later Sam Houston, now the highest-ranking officer of the Texian Army, led his men in battle against Santa Anna's army. Santa Anna was captured and Texas gained it's independence. Riding high on this victory Houston became the first president of Texas. After Texas became a US state, he served as a senator then governor before being removed for refusing to succeed from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War.
In 1847 Houston and his wife Margaret Lea moved into their Woodland Home in Huntsville Texas. This was their home for eight years although Houston was often in Washington DC when he was serving his senatorial terms.
The Houston Museum consists of three sections: the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and a grouping of historic buildings, all located on
15 acres of the original 200 acre Huntsville farm owned by Houston and his family. The Education Center has a rotating exhibit gallery and a few permanent exhibits but the main reason to go there is to park in the large lot at the rear of the center. This is also the location of a trail and sidewalk that lead to the other sections of the museum. The accessible entrance is in the rear with an elevator to access the first floor exhibits.
A parking lot is adjacent to the Memorial Museum. The access road is narrow and the lot is small so it's better to park at the Education Center and walk/roll along the road and trail. Visitors using wheelchairs will probably need assistance due to slopes and rough surfaces. The accessible entrance is on the side of the museum with an elevator to the first floor. The museum which has an exceptional number of personal artifacts is accessible
The historic buildings include the Woodland Home, Houston's law office, the Steamboat House where Houston died. and several relocated buildings where demonstrations are occasionally held. Some of the buildings have ramps. None were open when we visited but we could peek in the windows.
Check the map for paths and sidewalks. The roads are narrow and fine for cars but even small RVs are too big for easy access so park at the Education Center. Museum 30.71497, -95.55472
