01 / Historic Homes
Architectural Heritage
Preserved Victorian, Greek Revival, Craftsman and Mid-Century homes across Texas.
Texas Heritage / Historic Home Tours
Historic
Home Tours
Explore historic homes, architectural treasures, seasonal tours and Texas communities through Betty Saenz’s collection of preservation stories.
Explore Historic Tours
A Personal Guide to Texas Heritage
Celebrating Texas history, one historic home at a time.
From holiday house tours to Victorian landmarks and Mid-Century architecture, these places have been part of Betty’s journeys across Texas.
There are many Historic Homes Tours in Texas. I wish all the special Holiday Home Tours in the Central Texas and Austin Texas area were held at different dates and times so I could schedule to see them all!
Austin, TX; Dripping Springs, TX; Georgetown TX; Lockhart, TX; Taylor, TX and San Marcos, TX are some of the Central Texas towns that regularly hold special Holiday Historic Home Tours.
I recently went on the Georgetown and Taylor Holiday Tours. I also went on the Historic Home Tour that Preservation Austin held in April and the Mid-Century Modern.
I also have attended the Gingerbread Historic Home Tour in Waxahachie TX as well as toured many historic homes in Dallas TX with Preservation Dallas.
Galveston Texas holds its Historic Homes Tour every May.
In addition to Historic Home Tours, there are many other Historic Texas buildings one can go tour including churches, courthouses, jails and more.
I highly recommend the Painted Churches Tour out of Schulenburg Texas and seeing other Painted Churches of Texas as well.
Texas Historic Courthouses are also fun to tour and I know the Waxahachie Texas Courthouse is open for tours.
I have also toured Texas Historic Jails such as the one in Lockhart Texas and the Gonzales Texas jail.
If you are interested in touring Texas Historic Homes, follow these links to locations and organizations that hold historic home tours throughout the year.
Experience Texas Heritage
Explore Historic Architecture
Distinctive homes, seasonal traditions and historic landmarks, photographed and celebrated through Texas history.
02 / Texas Towns
Holiday Home Tours
Communities celebrating their history through annual tours and seasonal events.
03 / Landmarks
Texas History
Historic residences, courthouses, churches and public buildings worth exploring.
Featured Historic Home / Austin, Texas
The Texas Governor's Mansion
Perhaps the most famous historic home in Texas is the Governor's Mansion.
The Greek Revival style mansion was built in 1856 and designed by Abner Cook.
Betty's original guide notes that advance reservations are required. Check the official website for current tour requirements.
Governor's Mansion ToursExplore Texas / By Region
Find a Historic Home Tour
Explore Betty's collection of Texas historic home tours, historic buildings, and annual community traditions.
Historic Event Information
Several events listed below are preserved from Betty's 2018 and 2019 guides. The dates, admission prices, and ticket information are historical, not current event announcements. Check the linked organizations for current schedules before planning a visit.
01 / Texas Home Tours
Austin, Texas
Historic Homes and Preservation
Neill-Cochran House
The Neill-Cochran House is another historic two-story Greek Revival home designed by Abner Cook in Austin, Texas.
Betty's original guide mentions afternoon tours.
Hyde Park Homes Tour
The 2018 Historic Hyde Park Homes Tour was scheduled for Sunday, November 11, from 11 am to 5 pm.
This annual event draws visitors from all over Central Texas to learn about the neighborhood's history through its homes.
02 / Texas Home Tours
Bastrop, Texas
Historic Holiday Homes
Bastrop Holiday Homes Tour
The Holiday Homes Tour was scheduled for December 8, from noon to 5 pm.
The 2018 tour included six homes dating from circa 1850 to a "new old house" fashioned in 1985 to resemble a classic log cabin.
Historical ticket information: early bird admission was $15 per person, regular admission was $20, and accompanied children under 12 were admitted free.
Tickets were available through the Bastrop Museum & Visitor Center at 904 Main Street, with telephone numbers 512-303-0057 and 512-303-0904.
Proceeds from the tour supported the Museum and Visitor Center.
03 / Texas Home Tours
Fredericksburg, Texas
Christmas Tours and German Heritage
62nd Christmas Home Tour and Market
On Saturday, December 7, 2019, the 62nd Christmas Home Tour and Market was held in Fredericksburg from 11 am to 5 pm.
For information on local historical attractions, visit the Pioneer Museum .
Holiday Candlelight Tour
The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation hosted its 49th Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour on December 14 and 15, 2019.
Daytime tours were scheduled from 11 am to 5 pm, with Saturday evening tours from 6 to 8 pm.
The original event included a commemorative ornament, a gift shop, and a cocktail party with Saturday evening tickets.
Museums and Historic Sites
Fredericksburg Texas is home to many fine historic homes, buildings and museums.
Fredericksburg is also home to the Native Plant Society of Texas or NPSOT.
While visiting, Betty recommends the Admiral Nimitz Museum, Pioneer Museum, and Texas Rangers Heritage Center.
Texas Rangers Heritage Center at Fort Martin Scott.
Zweite Weihnachten
The Zweite Weihnachten, or Second Christmas, was held at the Gillespie County Historical Society Social Hall, 312 W. San Antonio, Fredericksburg, TX.
Sponsored by the Fredericksburg German Club, the celebration featured food, drink, and music.
The 2018 event was scheduled for December 26, from 2 to 5 pm, with free admission.
The original contact number was (830) 997-6289.
04 / Texas Home Tours
Galveston, Texas
Historic Homes and Victorian Heritage
Galveston Historic Homes Tour
Galveston has many historic home events each year including its annual Historic Homes Tour.
Galveston Texas has so many historic homes, buildings, neighborhoods and even ships.
For more information, visit the Galveston Historical Foundation .
My grandfather, Dr. Carl William Raetzsch, received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Department in Galveston. He attended classes at Old Red, the beautiful 1890 Ashbel Smith Building, still there today. Old Red is now billed as the oldest medical school building west of the Mississippi.
Dickens on the Strand
Dickens on the Strand highlights downtown Galveston's Victorian-era architecture and celebrates Charles Dickens.
Organized by the Galveston Historical Foundation, the archived event description lists November 29 through December 3.
Activities mentioned include a Dickens Champagne Reception at the 1838 Menard House and a Salute to Sunset aboard the tall ship ELISSA.
05 / Texas Home Tours
Georgetown, Texas
Holiday Tours and Historic Downtown
Preservation Georgetown
The Preservation Georgetown Holiday Home Tour is described in Betty's original guide as typically being held in mid-December in Georgetown.
Georgetown Christmas Stroll
Betty's original guide describes the 38th annual two-day Christmas Stroll through Historic Downtown Georgetown.
The historic event included a hometown holiday parade, Bethlehem Village, entertainment, a food court, ice skating, and more than 100 arts and crafts booths.
The original schedule listed Friday, November 30, from 5 to 9 pm, and Saturday, December 1, from 10 am to 8 pm, with free admission.
The Victorian-era buildings and brick sidewalks of the historic Georgetown Square form the setting for the event.
06 / Texas Home Tours
Gonzales & Johnson City
Historic Homes and Holiday Traditions
Winterfest Historic Homes Tour
The Winterfest Historic Homes Tour is described in Betty's original guide as often being held on the first weekend of December.
I plan to go and stay in a historic Bed and Breakfast while there.
The archived ticket price was $20.
Tickets were available through the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce at 414 Saint Lawrence Street, Gonzales, Texas 78629.
Original telephone: 830-672-6532.
LBJ Boyhood Home Lamplight Tours
The original guide lists lamplight tours of the LBJ Boyhood Home on Saturdays from November 24 through December 15, 2018.
A special December 8 evening showcased Christmas traditions from the 1860s through the 1960s.
National park rangers provided tours from 6 to 9 pm, with free admission.
Across the street, Pedernales Electric Cooperative illuminated the live oaks, while the Blanco County Courthouse was part of the Lights Spectacular .
The original description also included a Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
07 / Texas Home Tours
La Grange, Texas
German Heritage and Historic Architecture
Kreische House and Trail of Lights
Celebrate Christmas Early Texas German-style at the La Grange Texas Trail of Lights and Tour .
Betty's original guide lists tours of the historic 1850s Kreische House on December 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20.
The Kreische House is located at the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Site, 414 State Loop 92, La Grange, Texas 78945.
The park is operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife .
This is one of my favorite state parks because of the nature trails, the old Kreische Brewery ruins, the German pioneer Kreische House, and beautiful Monument Hill where the tomb of many Texas heroes is located.
The original article also describes guided Sunday tours from January through November.
German immigrant Heinrich Kriesche bought 172 acres in 1849. He built the home and also a fantastic spring-fed beer brewery made from stone.
08 / Texas Home Tours
Llano & Lockhart
Central Texas Historic Home Tours
Llano Holiday Home Tour
Llano has a Holiday Home Tour. The 2018 date was December 1, from 12 to 5 pm.
Historical tickets were $14 each or two for $25.
Betty's original guide directs visitors to the Llano Woman's Culture Club at 210 E Sandstone St, Llano, TX 78643.
Lockhart Holiday Tour of Homes
The Lockhart Texas Holiday Tour of Homes was scheduled for December 1 from 1 to 5 pm.
The tour was held in conjunction with the Dickens Christmas celebration .
The Alpha Psi Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority sponsored the historic home tour.
Tickets were available from the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce , First Lockhart National Bank, or through any Beta member.
09 / Texas Home Tours
Dripping Springs & Mason
Pioneer Homes and Victorian Architecture
A Pioneer Christmas
A Pioneer Christmas is featured in Betty's original historic home holiday tour guide.
Dr. Pound's Farmstead, built in 1854, hosted bluegrass holiday music, local vendors, make-and-take crafts, wagon rides, and photographs with Santa.
The house was decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas.
The archived admission price was $5, with children age 4 and under admitted free. Tickets were sold at the gate.
Reynolds-Seaquist House
The Reynolds-Seaquist House in Mason, Texas has historically offered tours on the first Saturday of every month.
Originally built in 1887, this classic Victorian home was expanded in 1891 and 1919.
Check the Official Website for tour schedules.
10 / Texas Home Tours
Marble Falls & Pflugerville
Victorian Christmas and Heritage House
Victorian Christmas Historic Home Tour
The Victorian Christmas Historic Home Tour was scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 6 to 8 pm.
Historical tickets were available at The Falls on the Colorado Museum, 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls, Texas.
The museum sponsored the tour.
The original guide lists Thursday through Saturday hours of 10 am to 4 pm, with telephone 830-798-2157. Confirm current hours before visiting.
Heritage House Christmas Open House
The Heritage House Museum was the setting for the Heritage House Partners' annual Christmas Open House .
The historic house was decorated for the holidays, with music, refreshments, and photographs with Santa.
Heritage House Museum
901 Old Austin Hutto Rd, Pflugerville, Texas.
11 / Texas Home Tours
Round Top & San Antonio
Historic Home Tours and Community Heritage
Round Top Christmas Tour of Homes
The 2018 Christmas Tour of Homes was scheduled for December 1, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Tickets were available through the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce in Henkel Square.
Round Top's first resident, the Stephen Townsend family, settled in the Round Top area in 1826.
Later Stephen Townsend bought land on Cummins Creek where my earliest family started in Texas in the 1830s.
At Home in Monticello Home Tour
The Christmas Market at the At Home in Monticello Home Tour lies within San Antonio's Monticello Historic Park District.
The 2018 event was scheduled for Sunday, December 2, from 11 am to 5 pm.
Historical admission was $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the tour, with free admission for children under 12.
Tickets were available at Jefferson United Methodist Church, 758 Donaldson Avenue.
The event proceeds supported neighborhood restoration grants and scholarship programs.
12 / Texas Home Tours
San Marcos & Seguin
Architectural History and Holiday Heritage
San Marcos Heritage Home Tour
The Heritage Association of San Marcos held its 2018 Heritage Home Tour and associated events from May 4 through May 8.
The tour included Greek Revival, Mid-Century Modern, and Classic Ranch architectural styles.
My grandfather, Dr. Carl William Raetzsch, practiced medicine on the San Marcos Square in the early 1900s.
My father, Carl William Raetzsch Jr., was born in San Marcos.
Holiday Heritage Tour of Homes
The 27th Annual Holiday Heritage Tour of Homes was scheduled for December 1, 2018, from 1 to 5 pm.
The event included tours of seven historic locations.
Historical tickets were $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Tickets were sold through Gift and Gourmet Shop, 212 S. Austin; Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, 116 N. Camp Street; and Keepers Interiors, 615 N. Austin.
The event was sponsored by the Seguin Conservation Society.
Original ticket website: www.thetexas.org
More Texas Heritage
TX
Beyond Historic Homes
Discover Historic Churches, Courthouses and Jails
In addition to Historic Home Tours, there are many other historic Texas buildings to visit, including churches, courthouses, and jails.
Betty recommends the Painted Churches Tour out of Schulenburg and exploring the historic courthouses and jails of Texas.
Painted Churches of Texas
Waxahachie Courthouse
Lockhart Historic Jail
Gonzales Historic Jail
Historic Texas Towns
Taylor Texas Historic Homes
Taylor Texas has historically held Historic Homes Tours in December.
Taylor Texas is located just northeast of Austin Texas and due east of Round Rock and Hutto Texas.
Taylor Texas is well known for having a great Historic Downtown entertainment district as well as many historic residential homes around town.
Taylor Texas has a Historic Home Tour almost every December. Contact the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society for more information.
You will enjoy the many historic commercial buildings and churches as well like Judy Blundell's McCrory Timmerman Restoration Project at 201 N. Main Street.
I have been on the tour more than once and always enjoy seeing the historic homes there.
I usually make my own add-ons to the arranged public tour by previewing vacant historic homes.
There are some perks to being a REALTOR and one is being able to preview homes just to relish their fineness and craftsmanship.
Come tour historic homes with me and I will take you as well!
To buy or sell Historic Taylor TX homes call Betty Saenz Historic House Specialist at 512-785-5050 or e-mail Betty Saenz .
Historic Architecture in Taylor
Taylor Texas Historic homes include a variety of architectural styles and periods of construction.
Historic home architectural styles can be Neoclassical, Victorian, Folk Victorian, Craftsman and more.
I have toured and shown some truly amazing historic homes in Taylor Texas. There is a historic home wedding venue on acreage that is quite amazing.
Architectural Heritage
Mid-Century Modern Homes in Austin Texas
Preservation Austin / 2014
Austin 1964
Below is a collection of photos I took on the Mid-Century Modern Home Tour held by Preservation Austin in April of 2014 called Austin 1964.
There were some amazing Mid-Century Modern Austin Texas homes on the tour. I really enjoyed it!
Historic Archive
2018
2019
2019
Original Tour Listings
Texas Historic Homes Archive
Texas Historic Homes Archive
Preserving Texas Historic Home Tour History
This guide preserves Betty's collection of historic homes, tour organizations, seasonal events, and personal experiences exploring Texas architecture and heritage.
Many of the listed events occurred in 2018 and 2019, while Betty's Mid-Century Modern tour photographs date to 2014.
Historic Archive — Event Dates and Home Pricing
Tour schedules, admission prices, and other event information in this archive reflect the original historical articles. They are not current event listings.
Contact the relevant organizations for their latest tour schedules and admission information.
For current pricing of homes for sale NOW, use the property search below. Tour ticket prices shown above are historical.
View Current Homes for SaleTexas Historic Homes / Real Estate
Explore Current Historic Homes for Sale
Find Your Historic Home
Explore Available Properties in Texas
Browse available homes, review current listing information, and contact Betty Saenz for assistance buying or selling distinctive Texas properties.
Search Current Homes
Current property prices and availability depend on the listings returned by the property search service.
Texas Historic Homes
Discover Historic Homes with Betty Saenz
Call Betty Saenz Historic House Specialist at 512-785-5050 to buy or sell a historic home.
Check back here to find out about Texas Historic Home Tours or to come along with Betty to explore historic properties.
We'll have fun and see some EXTRA homes!
Contact Betty