Neill-Cochran House Museum
Located in north-central Austin, Texas, the Neill-Cochran House Museum is a historic home designed by Abner Cook in 1855. Cook planned this home as a suburban estate, and it was constructed before the surrounding area was settled. Today, visitors are able to tour this house and learn about its history and architecture. You can visit the museum with your family and friends at 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705.
The Neill-Cochran House Museum is owned and operated by the NSCDA-TX, a nonprofit that promotes Texas’ national heritage. It acquired the historic home in 1958 from the Cochran family. Today, the museum supports scholarship in American history and offers numerous programs for children.
Neill-Cochran House Museum is one of the oldest structures in Austin and is the only antebellum home that is completely accessible to the public. Though the Neill-Cochran House Museum is located in the city’s heart, it is an ideal spot for visitors to experience antebellum life in a unique way. The museum offers a touching and sensitive look at enslaved labor.
The Neill-Cochran House Museum is located at 2310 San Gabriel St. It is the oldest antebellum house in Austin, Texas and is one of the few houses that has been completely restored. Abner Cook, the architect of the State of Texas Governor’s mansion, designed this home in 1855. The home was a private residence before being used as a hospital for Union soldiers during the Civil War. Today, the house is a historical museum with a collection of original furnishings and antiques. Admission is free and guided tours are available. Website
The Neill-Cochran House is one of Austin’s three most important historic residences. It was originally built in 1855 as a suburban estate and has endured war, neglect, and the expansion of the University of Texas area. Built by local builder Abner Cook, the house was used as a hospital during the Civil War and as a private residence for two prominent families in Austin. The Cochran family lived in the Neill-Cochran House until 1959.
This museum is a unique place to learn about Austin’s history. It features Austin’s first home and many unique objects from the 1850s. The home also contains a 19th century French parlor, a dining room, and three preserved bedrooms. The museum’s striking contrast with the surrounding West Campus area gives visitors an insight into how the city grew.
In addition to self-paced tours, the museum also hosts lawn games and Easter egg dyeing. This activity is free and proceeds benefit the museum’s educational and programming. Guests can bring their own boiled eggs to the museum, or use the provided ones. However, if you’d like to dye an entire batch of eggs, Neill-Cochran House Museum will provide the eggs.
The Hills family never lived in the home. The family was in financial trouble and the house was sold to a land agent. After the Civil War, the U.S. government leased the property for a Federal war hospital. In 1876, the house was used for this purpose and federal troops were housed there for two years during Reconstruction. The federal government paid for the repairs.