Samuel Rutherford Houston was born in Virginia on March 2, 1793…born into the world by the grace of God. In many ways, he was like you and me—but, as we know, he wasn’t an ordinary man.
As a young boy, Sam was not fond of school. Maybe it was the structure and confinement of the schoolhouse that kept him from wanting to be a part of it. Sam was a wild soul who dreamed big. He was a lover of nature and the wilderness, and exploring appealed to him. He was a voracious reader who had access to many books through his father’s library as a youngster. He lived through the experiences on those pages, traveling the world through the eyes of others, and filling his mind with a plethora of information and wonders of so many who had come before him. .
Between 55,000-75,000 vehicles a day pass by the Sam Houston Statue located on I-45 in Huntsville, Texas. Many stop and marvel at the gigantic size of the statue, and it probably raises questions in their minds…questions that might be answered if they visited the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, a fifteen-acre complex in downtown Huntsville dedicated to the life and times of the man who impacted this area in so many ways.
The grounds and museum are filled with artifacts and information that tell the story much better and more complete than I ever could. It’s an amazing place to visit. I went there recently to experience the fourth annual General Sam Houston Day. Many volunteers attended the festivities dressed in period clothing, which took visitors back in time. No one can better convey the feelings of being at the museum than the people who work there.
Megan Buro, Marketing Manager:
I always think it is crazy I am walking and working where Sam Houston walked. Visitors are also getting to see homes he lived in—where four of his kids were born (Woodland Home) or the home where he took his last breath (Steamboat). When I lock up the law office, I always wonder what topics (or gossip) were talked about in here, because Sam was a United States Senator during this time. Then you have the museum with amazing artifacts and documents that bring Sam’s story to life. You see his resume when you walk in. You are getting to see his resignation letter as Governor of Tennessee or his famed leopard skin vest. Heck, we even have items belonging to Santa Anna, including his chamber pot. We are still learning about Sam, filling in missing pieces, or finding out what we had originally thought was incorrect, debunked by a new letter we came across. We continue to learn about Sam Houston so we can better tell his story. The public does have access to our collection through the Presidential Library. Our collections department has worked tirelessly to accomplish this.
Derrick Birdsall, Director:
Working as the Director for the museum is a dream come true. When I left the museum in 1999 to manage another historic site, I always had in the back of my mind that it would be great to be able to return here to be the Director. Some 20-ish years later, here we are! Houston’s pragmatism has clearly rubbed off on me over the years; I definitely like to see the world as it is, not how we wish it would be. I’m always awed when going through our collection and seeing the huge swath of American history that Houston encountered…American presidents, the Texas Revolution, secession crises, famous people like Francis Scott Key, de Tocqueville, John J Audubon, etc. I frequently feel the need to pinch myself that I actually have a job touching Texas and American history the way that I do.
The museum has planned some updates which will improve interactive experience in the galleries to better bring the exhibits to life. While doing my job is different just about every day, there is an expectation that the information we share is accurate, objective, and non-biased. We try to do history without adjectives. We periodically update our galleries and recently completed construction of Sam Houston’s Presidential Oval Office. I’m a big advocate of living history and costume interpretations.
Colton Sheffield, Historical Interpreter I:
Working at the museum as a historical interpreter means I can share the life and times of General Sam Houston in a way that feels meaningful and alive. Additionally, as we interact with the thousands of school kids who come through the grounds each year, we can impart our love of history and hopefully spark interest in potential future historians. After all, a Living History field trip was how I found out this is what I wanted to do as a 1st grader back in 2006.
While there are numerous special moments at the museum for me, my favorite ones are on our slower days, when I’m able to go into an in-depth conversation with a visitor or group. Here, I get to see the excitement and interest their museum experience has unlocked, and I’m proud to be a part of that experience.
Rebecca Lewis, Collections Registrar:
Prior to coming here, I worked at a museum that told an entire state’s history. I thought I might be a little bored working at a museum that focused on the life of one man. Thank goodness that one man was Sam Houston. I’m always learning something new and interesting about Sam Houston…or Huntsville…or antebellum America that adds another piece to the puzzle. I’ve been working on and off here since 2007, and as recently as yesterday, I learned something new about Houston’s family while answering a question from a patron. I love the fact that Sam continues to surprise me in 2026.
Tod Lawlis, Curator of Exhibits:
The Sam Houston Museum is a fascinating place. The land, the buildings, and the artifacts combine to create an atmosphere which draws me into the history that happened here. Whether it’s stepping into Sam Houston’s law office, standing in the Steamboat House, holding documents that were penned by his own hand, or simply walking the grounds that he and his family walked… there are so many ways to feel yourself a part of that extraordinary time in the history of Texas and the United States. It’s an honor to work with this team that is so dedicated to bringing that history to life.
Sam Houston, an American soldier, a statesman, a general in the Texas Revolution, the first president of the Republic of Texas, and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. One of the most fascinating and controversial figures in American history. He was a great man who served in many capacities during his lifetime. There are many interpretive stances on Houston’s motives and character, but there is no doubt he was a legitimate hero who was always up for a challenge.
If you would like to learn more about Sam Houston and the life he led, contact The Sam Houston Memorial Museum at 936-294-1832 or visit samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com.
6/6 – Blacksmithing Demo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6/13 – Saturday Spotlight: Dye Day and Spinning Demo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6/20 – Saturday Spotlight: Black Powder/Drill Day and Kick Wheel Pottery Demo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6/27 – Saturday Spotlight: Grinding Corn and Woodworking Demo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
7/2 – Celebrate America 250, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6/16-8/30: Exhibit – Return of the Backroom Curiosities, exhibit gallery, Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center
