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Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites
In November 2000,
the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented this prestigious
award to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America "for
acquiring, restoring, and interpreting a collection of historic properties
that offer invaluable opportunities to experience the rich variety of
America's heritage."
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NSCDA in Texas Museum Property |
NEILL-COCHRAN HOUSE MUSEUM
(1856)
Address:
2310 San Gabriel,
Austin, TX 78705
Telephone:
(512) 478-2335 and fax:
(512) 478-1865
Open:
Wednesday through Sunday:
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed:
Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Year's Day.
Directions:
From I-35. Exit Martin Luther King
Blvd., go west 1.2 miles to San Gabriel and turn right..
Web site: http://www.neill-cochranmuseum.org
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Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik
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The House was finished in 1856 by
Washington L. Hill on 17.5 acres designated in the original survey of Austin.
Abner Cook, the master builder, built several beautiful stone houses in
Austin, including the Governor's mansion. The Neill-Cochran House
is built of native limestone in the Greek revival style with two-story
Doric columns across the wide, front veranda.
Because of her fear of the Indians,
coupled with the family's financial difficulties, the owner settled
closer to the center of town and never lived in the house. On January
1, 1857, it became the first Texas Institute for the Blind. After
the War Between the States, General Custer procured the house for use as
an army hospital.
In 1876, Andrew Neill purchased
the house. His family lived there for many years. After 1893,
Judge T. B. Cochran acquired the property. His family was in residence
until 1958 when it was sold to The NSCDA in the State of Texas.
In 1962, it was formally opened
to the public as a house museum having been lovingly furnished by the Texas
Society. The Centennial Garden was established in 1998 honoring the
100th birthday of The NSCDA in Texas.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
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