Greek Revival Design
The home represents the Greek Revival architectural style that influenced several prominent early Austin residences.
Texas Historic Homes / Historic Austin
Neill–Cochran
House Museum
Discover one of Austin's oldest surviving historic residences, an architectural landmark designed by master builder Abner Cook.
Explore the History
Historic Austin Heritage
1855
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Greek Revival Architecture
Historic Austin Landmark
One of Austin's Oldest Historic Homes
The Neill–Cochran House Museum is a historic two-story Greek Revival home in north-central Austin, Texas built on 17.5 acres for Washington and Mary Hill. It is one of the ten oldest surviving buildings in Austin and the only antebellum home fully open to the public.
Historic Architecture
The Architectural Legacy of Abner Cook
Doric Columns
Prominent Doric columns contribute to the home's distinctive architectural appearance.
Sheaf of Wheat Balusters
The home's decorative balusters reflect one of Abner Cook's recognizable architectural details.
Austin Architecture / 1855
Designed by Master Builder Abner Cook
Master builder Abner Cook designed and built the house in 1855 as a suburban estate long before the surrounding area was settled. The home features prominent Doric columns and Mr. Cook's signature "sheaf of wheat" balusters. It shares similar design features with other Cook houses, including the Texas Governor’s Mansion (1856), Westhill (1856), and the James B. Shaw Mansion (1853).
Explore Historic Austin
Discover the Neill–Cochran House Museum
Watch the original video featured in Betty's historic house article.
Original Neill–Cochran House Museum video.
Neill–Cochran House History
A Historic Home Through the Generations
Explore the people, institutions, and historical events connected with the Neill–Cochran House.
1856
Early History
The Hill Estate and Its Early Uses
Unfortunately, the Hills never lived in the home. They apparently had some financial trouble and were forced to sell the mansion to a land agent. It was leased to the Texas Asylum for the Blind in 1856, currently known as the Texas Blind Institute, to serve as its first home until Abner Cook finished the school's campus across town. The house was leased by Lt. Governor Fletcher Stockdale and former Provisional Governor Andrew J. Hamilton . At the end of the Civil War, Federal troops converted the house into a hospital.
1876
Family Residence
The Neill and Cochran Families
In 1876, the house finally became a true family home when Colonel Andrew Neill, a Confederate veteran, purchased the home with his wife Jennie Chapman Neill. After Neill passed, the home was rented to Judge Thomas Beauford Cochran . Cochran purchased the home outright in 1895 to expand and modernize the home for his family.
1958
Historic Preservation
Preservation of the Historic House
In 1958, the Cochran family sold the property to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in The State of Texas. The NSCDA operates the home today as a Texas historic house museum. The Neill–Cochran House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Texas Historical Commission landmark.
Historic Austin Today
Living
History
History
The Museum Today
Discover the Historic House in Person
Today, the Neill-Cochran House Museum is open to the public for tours in the afternoon. You can also reserve the building as an event venue for weddings, receptions, meetings, workshops, formal dinners, and other special events. Visit Neill-Cochran House Museum's website for more information.
The museum also preserves and interprets Austin's only intact historic slave quarters, providing important context for the city's nineteenth-century history.
Greek Revival House
Historic Home Tours
Austin's Enslavement History
Private Events
Visit Neill–Cochran House Museum
Plan Your Museum Visit
Explore this historic Austin home, learn about its architecture, and discover its changing role throughout Texas history.
Austin, Texas
2310 San Gabriel Street
Austin, TX 78705
Wednesday–Sunday
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Self-Guided & Group Tours
Self-guided tours are available during opening hours. Group tours may require advance arrangements.
Visitor information: Hours and tour availability are based on the museum's published information and may change. First-floor exhibits are wheelchair accessible; the second floor does not have elevator access. Visit the official museum website for the latest information.
Historic Archive
1855
Original Historic Residence
Texas Historic Homes Archive
Texas Historic Homes Archive
Preserving the History of Neill–Cochran House
Betty's original article documents the construction, architecture, ownership, and preservation of the Neill–Cochran House Museum.
This historical information has been preserved as part of the Texas Historic Homes archive. Current museum details are provided separately above.
Historic Archive — Current Home Pricing
The information in this historic archive concerns a preserved museum property and should not be treated as a current real estate listing.
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Historic and contemporary museum photography courtesy of Neill–Cochran House Museum . Original historical video retained from Betty's article.