Howard House Museum and other sites in – Palestine, Texas
Take a trip back in time and visit the Howard House Museum to see Greek Revival style construction built in the mid 1880’s by Judge Reuben Reeves who then sold it to the Howard family in 1850.
The museum has exhibits from the time and period furnishings that will transport you back to the time when things were a bit quieter and the pace slower.
The museum has been designated a Texas Historical Landmark. The house remained in the Howard family until it was sold to the city in 1963.
Location: 1011 N Perry St., Palestine, Texas
Phone: 903-729-5094
Open: Saturday and Sunday only from 12 Noon – 7 PM
Museum for East Texas Culture is another stop you can make while you are visiting Palestine. The Museum opened in 1982 in the old Palestine High School building which was designed and built in 1915/16. There is a railway room the Fire Department Room, The Reagan Campbell Room, the Main Floor Hallway. There is also a huge collection of business and commercial historical documents as well as genealogy records stored here.
Location: 400 S. Micheaux St., Palestine, Texas
Open: Monday – Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday 1 – 4.
Admission: $1
McClure-McReynolds-Fowler House
This house, located at 921 N. Perry St., Palestine, was built in 1849 by Judge McClure. He and another man started the first newspaper in the region, the "Trinity Advocate."
The house was built as a centre passage dwelling but the next owner, Zachariah McReynolds, changed it to a U shape plan in 1884. McReynolds was a confederate veteran from the great state of Georgia. His daughter married John Reagan’s grandson, Colonel Godfrey Fowler. When they retired they returned to the house in 1934 when McReynolds died. The house is still in the McReynolds family possession.
Shelton Hall was formerly the Shelton Gin, one of the earliest Gin’s in Palestine. It began operations in the early 1840’s. It was originally the Eureka Cotton Gin and then later changed its name to the Morris Gin Company. Since the ginning season was a short one they gin only operated for a few months of the year.
Location: Old Town Palestine, 304 E. Crawford, Palestine, Texas
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