Tremont House

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My affection for The Tremont House in Galveston began ia long time ago - in February 1984 - when I walked into its elegant lobby for the first time. I was there to enjoy a full evening of Mardi Gras festivities - a night parade, an elaborate dinner and a much-anticipated Mardi Gras Ball.

In the years since, I have been to The Tremont House many times, with many people and for many reasons. Always, I think of my first experience at The Tremont House and, at the same time, remember fondly the many other great experiences.

As much as I have long adored The Tremont House, it wasn’t until I purchased The Bungalow last year, that I became extraordinarily curious about the story of this beloved downtown hotel. So, as I always do when curious, I started searching for the facts.

Original Tremont House
The original Tremont House was built in 1839, the same year the city of Galveston was founded. Located at the corner of Postoffice and Tremont streets, the sturdy two-story building was the largest and finest hotel in the Republic of Texas.

In June 1865, a devastating fire burned for days in downtown Galveston and destroyed several city blocks. Sadly, the Tremont House stood in its path and, after the burning, lay in ruins for five years.

Second Tremont House
Finally, a new Tremont House was built. The grand, four-story structure was designed by noted architect Nicholas Clayton, who would later design many of Galveston’s most distinguished buildings. When it opened in 1872, the hotel rivaled the grandest attractions in the South.

The new Tremont House drew visitors from across the world. Six future or sitting American presidents and the foreign ministers of France and England are recorded in her guest ledgers.

Noted moments in the Tremont timeline include Sam Houston delivering his last public address; Cotton merchants haggling over deals, and Sioux chiefs sampling Southern cuisine. In The Tremont halls, Victorians came to dance at grand balls, and soldiers from three wars returned to homecoming banquets. This landmark was a center of the social life on Galveston Island and in Texas for 26 glorious years. 

But, sadly, the 1900 Hurricane and the Great Depression, were disasters the Tremont House couldn’t overcome. In 1928, the beloved, but decaying hotel was condemned and demolished.

Third Tremont House
On a visit Savannah in 1972, Cynthia and George Mitchell learned about an innovative preservation program that had been established there; it included a revolving fund for buying and reselling endangered properties. The couple dispatched the Galveston Historical Foundation to study Savannah's achievements and to adapt them to Texas. As a result, contributions from local foundations helped establish a revolving fund for Galveston that has, to die, saved over 30 buildings. 

Mitchell also helped recruit Peter Brink, formerly with the National Trust of Historic Preservation, to lead the Galveston Historical Foundation and The Strand revitalization. Brink persuaded the Mitchells to purchase their first building, the 1871 Thomas Jefferson League Building, and restore it for retail space and offices.

In 1981, the Mitchells purchased the 1879 Leon & H. Blum Building, a former dry goods facility, and had it transformed into the third Tremont House.

When the new Tremont House opened in 1982, it was the first hotel to open in downtown Galveston in more than 60 years and was a catalyst for the revitalization of Galveston's historic downtown. Its grand opening coincided with the revival of Mardi Gras in Galveston and was commemorated with a grand Mardi Gras Ball which continues today. 

Today, the Tremont House is managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC and is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties.

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1888 Toujouse Bar
A popular gathering spot for locals and tourists to Galveston is the lobby of The Tremont House. It features a beautiful, hand-carved rosewood bar that dates to 1888. The bar is named for Henry Toujouse, an immigrant from France, who worked at this bar and, later, owned it. The bar was originally located at the Opera House Saloon, situated in the basement of The Tremont Opera House at Tremont and Market streets. 

Menardi Gras

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Tonight, I attended Menardi Gras 2018, held on the grounds of the Michel B. Menard House, site of Galveston Island’s first Mardi Gras celebration - held way back in 1853.

The grand event, hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation, was a terrific evening of great food, fun and frivolity. Live music was provided by the Hustlers Brass Band, and partygoers showed up in festive and uniquely interesting Mardi Gras garb and ready to to party hearty

I enjoyed being part of this particular party as much as any I’ve attended since becoming a part-time resident of the island. Key to me was the size of the crowd - not too big! Tickets were limited, so walking around was easy. At the same time, my friends and I were able to secure places at one of the large round tables, so seated dining was available too. The offerings of the New Orleans-inspired buffet could not have been more perfect. Loved the muffuletta kabobs, spicy hot red beans and rice, Cajun sausage-stuffed mushrooms, pulled pork sliders and shrimp etoufee over white rice. All were yummy, and most of us went back for seconds. Champagne and signature adult beverages, to my surprise, were served from an open bar.

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About the Menard House
The Menard House, located at 1604 33rd Street, was built in in the Greek-revival style in 1838 and is the oldest surviving building on the island. The furniture and furnishings, with few exceptions, all date from the first half of the 19th century (1800-1850s). They are of the federal, empire, regency, Biedermeier and William IV styles, as interpreted by American, English, French and German artisans. Carpets, drapes and upholstery fabrics are reproductions appropriate for the period 1830-1850.

Menard died in 1856, and his descendants occupied the house until 1879. In 1880, the house was bought by Edwin N. Ketchum, who was the city’s police chief during the Great Storm of 1900. The Ketchum family owned the home until the 1970s.

During the early 1990s, the house was threatened with demolition by the City of Galveston. The current owners purchased the house and spent years researching, repairing and reconstructing it. Through a partnership with the Galveston Historical Foundation, the house is operated as a museum and is available for private events.

Mardi Gras Decor

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Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration kicked off this weekend in Galveston, marking the start of carnival season with concerts and parades. And, The Bungalow, like so many other homes on the island, was ready to welcome guests in traditional Mardi Gras style.

As this is my first Mardi Gras season in The Bungalow, I had to start the seasonal decorating from scratch - and without a clue about what was available in the stores or whatI might want to own and display. (Many of my friends here have Mardi Gras tress, but I wasn’t ready to seriously consider that. Maybe next year!)

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I started by looking at decor items I had stored away in Houston. Luckily, I found I did have a few things that would be perfect here.

One such keepsake is the Mardi Gras King nutcracker I set on the coffee table in the living room. It was as gift a friend gave me back in 2013 (because she knew I collected all kinds of nutcrackers.

I also had a big bag of Mardi Gras beads stashed away. They had been acquired over the span of many years and at various Mardi Gras celebrations - in Mobile, Alabama; Panama City, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; and, yes, even here in Galveston.

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In 2017, a couple of months before I knew I would be purchasing The Bungalow, I attended Mardi Gras festivities in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana (my hometown). Again, I came home with more beads, as well as a couple of medallions offered up by the Krewe of Highland. These are now displayed on the coffee table in The Bungalow too.

Like most of things in The Bungalow, my Mardi Gras stuff come with stories - ones that make me smile and bring back many great memories!

Miss Ruby

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When I bought The Bungalow, there was a female mannequin waiting to greet me. She was dressed up in Mardi Gras garb (beads and all) and leaning strategically against the northwest corner wall in the dining room. I found out later that a previous owner had found her stowed away in the attic; he believed she had been there for decades.

He liked her. Thought she would add visual interest to the decor and be a great conversation starter. I thought so too, so I’ve kept her and, now, she’s part of the family.

I named her Miss Ruby, after my mother. She does, in fact, resemble her - if you squint your eyes just so. Like my mother did, Miss Ruby keeps an eye on everything but keeps her opinions to herself. Yep, she’s a keeper!

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Miss Ruby has acquired quite a wardrobe in recent years. In the photo here, she’s wearing the purple skirt she had on when I first met her, but she also owns beachwear, a Mardi Gras dress and cap, an Astros t-shirt and a long black velvet skirt and Victorian bonnet to wear for Dickens on The Strand weekend.

Dressing her is difficult, though. She weighs a ton (well, not literally), but a lot. So, wardrobe changes are fun but not as frequent as you she might like.

Railroad Museum

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The Galveston Railroad Museum opened in 1983 at the site of the 1932 Santa Fe depot and railyard. The museum quickly started collecting dining car china, a model railroad layout and acting as the terminal for the Texas Limited excursion train. After the Texas Limited ceased operations in 1996, the museum acquired its passenger cars and two locomotives.

Hurricane Ike flooded the museum with 10 feet of salt water in 2008. Much of the museum's collection was destroyed or severely damaged, forcing the museum to close, rebuild and restore its collection. Eventually, it acquiried two F-7A diesel locomotives in Santa Fe colors to replace the Texas Limited locomotives. After three years of cleanup, the museum reopened in 2011.

At present, the Galveston Railroad Museum has 40 pieces of rolling stock, the largest collection of dining car china in the Southwest and two incredible model railroad layouts. The museum also owns a mile of track, and runs caboose rides on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Sitting down next to one of the awaiting “passengers” in the depot is a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike. Here, I am “reading” the Galveston Daily News along with a new friend.

Sitting down next to one of the awaiting “passengers” in the depot is a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike. Here, I am “reading” the Galveston Daily News along with a new friend.