1402 Broadway
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone:
(409) 762-2475
Website:
www.galvestonhistory.org
The Bishop's Palace is an ornate delight of colored stone, intricately carved ornaments, rare woods, stained-glass windows, bronze dragons and other sculptures, luxury materials and furnishings, and impressive fireplaces from around the world (including one lined with pure silver!).
Museums
Adults $10 ($2 is donated to Save America's Treasures to restore the roof.); Youth (6 through18) $7; Children 5 and under, free. |
Sunday | 11:00am - 6:00pm |
Monday | closed |
Tuesday | closed |
Wednesday | closed |
Thursday | closed |
Friday | closed |
Saturday | 11:00am - 6:00pm |
The Bishop's Palace is an ornate delight of colored stone, intricately carved ornaments, rare woods, stained-glass windows, bronze dragons and other sculptures, luxury materials and furnishings, and impressive fireplaces from around the world (including one lined with pure silver!).
Built by lawyer Colonel Walter Gresham and designed by Nicholas Clayton, Galveston's premier architect, this Victorian castle was cited by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 100 most important buildings in America. The home was built from 1886 to 1892. If you can only visit one of Galveston's architectural treasures, the exquisite Bishop's Palace is the one to see. The building is owned by the Galveston-Houston Catholic Archdioces, and is managed as a museum by Galveston Historical Foundation.
In 2008, one of the winged-lion statues that guards the entrance to the house was stolen. Museum officials all but gave up hope that they would find it; however, it was returned to the museum by an unknown source at the end of 2010. There will be a coming home party for the lion after it's repaired and secured back in place - most likely in April 2011.