The Heritage Society of Washington County

Step back into the year 1843 and imagine the Giddings family as they lived, laughed and loved, had parties and family gatherings and reared their children in this stately Greek Revival home. Then follow them to the Giddings Stone Mansion, a beautiful example of Greek Revival exterior and Victorian interior, where three successive generations of the family lived until 1976. Perhaps, as Hardy says, we "can't go home again," but with the preservation of these historic homes, we can indeed go back, experience the gracious era of another time and remember the way we were.

Giddings Stone Mansion

2203 Century Circle

The Giddings Stone Mansion graces the hills of Brenham, a link to its rich heritage and an inspiration for its future.

The Giddings Stone Mansion was built in 1869 by Jabez Deming Giddings, a young attorney and surveyor from Pennsylvania who came to Texas in 1837 to claim land due his deceased brother for service to Texas in the fight for independence. Giddings was industrious and resourceful, prospering in banking, real estate, railroads, and

cattle, and became a very wealthy man. His first home, built in 1843 at 805 Crockett Street, is the oldest house in Brenham.

Mr. Giddings began plans for the home in 1868 after the yellow fever epidemic struck Brenham. He purchased the 320 acre tract, the highest point in Washington County, hoping to protect his family from the dread disease.

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Giddings Wilkin House Museum

805 Crockett Street

Built in 1843 by J. D. Giddings, the Giddings-Wilkin house is believed to be the oldest still standing in Brenham. It is of both historic and architectural note, having a water reservoir roof, one of three such known structures in Texas. The house was originally four rooms, two up and two down on either side of the center hall on both levels. The back was later enclosed and incorporated into the house. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is recorded by the State of Texas as historically significant.

The house was bought in 1870 by John Bush Wilkin and remained in the family until it was sold in 1945 to the Robert Geisler family.

The Heritage Society was organized in 1970 to purchase the house. It has been restored and furnished with period and Giddings and Wilkin family pieces.