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Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex: The Houston Kitchen

By Joni Bailey

Real Estate Agent with 101 Main St. Realty 518539

April 03, 2011 04:09 PM

The Houston Kitchen

The Houston Kitchen @ Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex

The Houston Kitchen is a replica of what a kitchen looked like in Sam Houston’s era. In addition to cooking, the kitchen was used to do laundry, make candles and soap, and also for bathing.

The Houston Kitchen ©JoniStaples

For several reasons,the kitchen was not part of the home like it is today. Families built their kitchens near the home, but not attached to it. Safety was a main concern as there were lots of fires in kitchens because of all the grease that they cooked with. Another concern was the heat! The heat from a stove was not a desirable characteristic of an 1800’s East Texas home! ☺

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex is home to the annual Sam Houston Folk Festival where folks dress in 1800 attire and demonstrate how things were done when Sam Houston was alive. This is an annual event and people come from ALL OVER to attend!

Also Located at the complex (Sam Houston Avenue and 19th Street), you can visit gazebos, walking trails, and the following attractions (click on links for more information).

Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center
The Steamboat House
Lake Oolooteca

Sam Houston Museum

It’s a great field trip for the family! Don’t forget your camera as you are sure to have ample opportunities for great family photos!

The Houston Kitchen @ Sam Houston Memorial Museum

The Houston Kitchen

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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Hi, Joni.

Home Sweet Home!

I will have to visit this place on my next trip to Texas. Thanks for showing it to us.

Apr 03, 2011 03:56 PM

Cinnamon Wright

Wilmington Real Estate 4U 910.547.1446 - Wrightsville Beach, NC

Assistant to Tish Lloyd

Is it wrong of me to be amused at the thought of people taking a bath in the kitchen? I think I'm over-tired tonight -- can't sleep and I seem to be amused about everything.

Bet this is a great event, have to put it on the list of things to do when we go visit our friend Joni!

Apr 03, 2011 03:58 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Hi Joni -- Boy have things changed over the years! In those days they probably had real "granite" kitchens!

Apr 03, 2011 04:10 PM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Joni, I have never been! It sounds like it would be a fun trip the next time my daughter comes in town. Is it located at the same place as the big statue.

Apr 03, 2011 04:14 PM

Tony Morganti

RE/MAX Crossroads in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, Ohio - Cuyahoga Falls, OH

CRS, ABR, SRES - Cuyahoga Falls, Stow

Joni thank you for this information. We may visit next time we are in Texas. Looks like a pretty nice sized kitchen even for back then. Where's the bath tub?

Apr 03, 2011 04:22 PM

Juli Vosmik

Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Joni, I didn't know that kitchens weren't part of the original home. But, it sure makes sense.

Apr 03, 2011 04:50 PM

Karen Baker

Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC

Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Hi Joni ~ Love ya honey ~ Hugs to The Princess Mama and a Blessed Day ~ Love Karen

Apr 03, 2011 04:59 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Thanks for the history lesson, Joni. :-)

Apr 03, 2011 05:07 PM

Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.

eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC

Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Joni,

Very interesting how things have changed, in old (pre 1700's) Dutch farm houses, the animals and the people all lived under one roof and kitchens were very much the central part of the house and farm, no such thing as a bathroom but an outhouse / hole in the ground.

Apr 03, 2011 05:49 PM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Joni, I'm not seeing the electrical outlets nor the microwave oven?? :)

Apr 03, 2011 11:09 PM

Melissa McKinney

Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC

Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Joni~Beautiful photos..as usual!! :0)

Apr 03, 2011 11:26 PM

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI

Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro NE - Carmel, IN

Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

Joni--I will bet there are lots of school field trips to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum! What an interesting place. Imagine the kitchen being a separate building!!

Apr 04, 2011 04:45 AM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Fred: We'd love to have you!! :)

Cinnamon: LOL! You crack me up, girlfriend! BHAhahahahHA!

Joan: The write up said that the kitchen slave slept in the kitchen to either keep the fire going or to start it early in the morning.

Marchel: No, it is located at Sam Houston Avenue and 19th Street. Take I-45 N to Huntsville, Exit # 116 turn R on 19th Street (at Ward Furniture) and keep going until you see the Education Center on your L. The driveway to the park is right after the driveway to the Education Center.

Tony: I'm with Bliz (Comment #10) Where's the MICROWAVE?!

Juli: I didn't know it either! Ya learn something new every day!

Apr 04, 2011 06:29 AM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Frank & Karen: Love you 2 (too)!! :O)

Donna: you're more than welcome! :)))

Peter and Linda: It's very interesting (now!) I used to hate history!

Bliz: BAHAHAHAHAHA! Agreed!

Melissa: Bless you!!

Pat: This month is the Sam Houston Folk Festival and they will bus tons of kids in for it from all over! I'll be there to get pics!! :O)

Apr 04, 2011 06:38 AM

Kim Inman

Mountains to Lakes Real Estate, Inc. - Harriman, TN

CRS, Broker/Owner

Joni...sounds like a neat festival to attend especially the period clothing. We have many of the old houses, churches and one room school houses in the Cades Cove area of Gatlinburg that are fun to look at but they don't have reenactments.

Apr 04, 2011 07:43 AM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Kim: I saw an ad in the paper today to teach volunteers how to do some of the activities. You work 4 hours per shift. Very cool, huh?!

Take some shots of them and share them with us! We'd love to see them!!

Apr 04, 2011 11:16 AM

Dawn Crawley

Dawn Crawley Realty - Pinehurst, NC

Find Pinehurst Homes

Hi Joni, that looks just like my kitchen now! Haha, well not exactly but it could use some updating. Nice post about the Houston House.

Apr 04, 2011 02:15 PM

Kim Inman

Mountains to Lakes Real Estate, Inc. - Harriman, TN

CRS, Broker/Owner

Joni...will do that next time I'm in Cades Cove.

Apr 04, 2011 02:45 PM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

LOL @ Dawn!! You're crazy, girl! So you have a wood burning fireplace in your kitchen? I will wish that I did tomorrow morning when it's in the 40's! YIKES! Kim: Cool! That will be great. I will be looking for them!

Apr 04, 2011 04:21 PM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hi Joni, Very Interesting. Now I learn something new again. Thanks! Have a great day.

Apr 05, 2011 01:03 PM