OTHER AWARDS: Registered Texas Historical Landmark

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: The single story portion of the house was built in 1838 by Galveston city founder and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence Michel B. Menard. It is the oldest surviving house in Galveston, and the Greek Revival north and south wings were added in 1843.

HISTORY OF STRUCTURE: The house remained in the Menard family until 1880 when Galveston County Police Chief, Edwin N. Ketchum, purchased the property, and his descendants sold the property in 1977. The new owner began modernization, but died before the project was complete. After two decades, the Galveston Historical Foundation purchased the vacant house in 1992. They stabilized the home, installed a new roof, and the current owners, Pat and Fred Burns, bought the house in 1994, and began the multi-million dollar restoration.

RESTORATION: Much of the restoration was based on drawings from the 1930's Historic American Building Survey. The house was leveled and pulled into alignment. The Ionic fluted columns were reinforced and reinstalled. Missing or irreparable siding was replaced, window glass replaced with restoration glass, and unsympathetic additions of screen porches , a Jacuzzi, and skylight removed. The original lathe was repaired and new plaster installed. Thirteen layers of paint were removed from interior moldings and repainted. The original flooring was repaired with matching long-leaf pine. All new electrical, plumbing, and security systems were installed and the house was insulated for the first time. Since none of the original light fixtures survived, period reproductions were installed. The interior was furnished with a collection of American Empire antiques, reproduction upholstery, drapes, wallpaper and carpeting were produced and installed in collaboration with Scalamandre of New York.