Be a Houston tourist - How to go on an architectural treasure hunt

After spending a week in the historic Northeast where towns were vibrant before the U.S. was (and with a general fondness for history), I'm happy to have stumbled upon this article in Houstonia magazine highlighting just a smattering of some really great homes sprinkled throughout Houston. The homes featured range from nearly as old as our city to just recently erected.

Despite our city being a little younger than some of our East Coast friends, these walls still have plenty to talk about and there are plenty of ways for you to experience how those before us may have lived and how their caretakers live now. (See below for a list of Houston home tours)

A few tales of my own with some of the homes include:

I had the wonderful opportunity to put on events at Ima Hogg (now MFAH's) Bayou Bend. At the time, a few of her staff that had worked there when she was living would share some stories of the goings-on of Bayou Bend. One included an artist by name of Andy Warhol that was interested in visiting one of the bathroom's on the second floor. Ok...

Being a member of the Menil Contemporaries also landed a few invites to events at the de Menil home which is also one of the homes featured here. Plenty of Warhol's there, too.

Nash home in Westmoreland.
Photo by Ed Uthman

The one that is most memorable to me is the Nash home. For a few years, it looked like it was going into some serious disrepair (or at the least the exterior paint job was) and it was definitely a front runner for the home most likely to house the Addams Family. I'm happy to see it now looking back to its stately former self.

With Houston being a giant treasure hunt in itself, go on a treasure hunt of the city (of course, be mindful of owners/fences. some of them won't be accessible but you can at least get a feel for the landscape). Below you'll also find home tours that will be happy to have you step inside and see some real architectural beauty in Houston.

More ways to enjoy Houston residential architecture:
AIA-Houston Home Tour (Spring)
ArCH Walking Tours (year-round)
River Oaks' Garden Club Azalea Trail (March)
Eastwood Civic Association Home Tour (Fall)
Houston Heights Spring and Holiday Home Tours (Spring and December)
Houston Modern Home Tour (In January)
Houston Preservation Alliance Architecture Walks (year-round)
Rice Design Alliance Home Tour (April)
Southhampton Civic Club Home Tour (In December)

Have others? List them in the comments section!

What's your favorite home?