Join Preservation On-Site with the HRC tour for a comprehensive restoration discussion of one of Houston’s oldest surviving buildings: the Kellum-Noble House (1847) in Sam Houston Park.
- Tuesday, March 26
- 4pm-5pm
- AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW
- House and Parking, 212 Dallas
Kellum-Noble House Tour
Join David Bucek, FAIA, Stern and Bucek Architects, Emily Ardoin, Preservation Houston and Alison Bell, Executive Director, Heritage Society for a tour of the restored and rehabilitated Kellum-Noble House. The Kellum-Noble House is the oldest surviving building constructed in Houston. Even more remarkable, it stands on its original foundation and retains its original brick walls made with mud from Nathaniel Kellum’s brickyard on the banks of nearby Buffalo Bayou. From its location on the edge of what is now a major downtown business district, Kellum-Noble has witnessed the phenomenal growth of our city for more than a century.
The house was built in 1847 by Nathaniel Kellum, who had arrived in the young city of Houston, Republic of Texas, in 1839. It later was home to the Noble family, and during this time Zerviah Noble and her daughter Catherine operated one of the areas earliest schools in the house.
In 1899, the City of Houston purchased the house as part of the property for Houston’s first municipal park. The house served as a showpiece and a residence for the park keeper. For a short time, its grounds were the site of Houston’s first zoo. The Heritage Society was founded in 1954 to save Kellum-Noble, and its place in history, for future generations.
The tour will discuss the recent rehabilitation work undertaken and how this historic home was made energy efficient while maintaining its integrity.
