Built in 1892, Bishop’s Palace, known as Gresham House when first built, is one of the most ornate Victorian late 1800’s high society mansions in Galveston, and a historic landmark. It’s easy to imagine life back in Galveston’s glorious heyday when inside this beautiful home. There are a number of historic homes on and around Broadway in Galveston known as “The Broadway Beauties”. Bishop’s Palace, Moody Mansion, and Ashton Villa are among the more well known homes. A number of tours are offered to see more than just one home, although we think one per trip is plenty. We toured Moody Mansion on a previous trip to Galveston, and this time Bishop’s Palace was on our list.
These crazy kids stealing a kiss in the rain
Self-guided tours, with marked stations and pre-recorded information on hand-held devices, make it easy to move along at your own pace. Walter Gresham, an attorney and railroad founder, and his wife, Josephine, an avid painter and devoted mother, and their nine children lived in this home designed by famed architect, Nicholas Clayton. Intricate wood carvings, including lions (strength), children (purity), and Neptune, stained glass, mahogany wood, marble, one of a kind glass fixtures, and wall and ceiling murals fill this home. Technology ahead of it’s time is evident, as well. It’s impressive, to be sure.
The stone fortified this house for its survival of the great storm, the intricate carvings adorn the exterior adding to the mansion’s beauty
Built of stone, Gresham House survived The Great Storm of 1900 virtually unscathed. The mansion served as a shelter during the storm, and we learned that Mrs. Gresham was so devastated by the death and destruction in her beloved city, she had to leave for a while.
The parlor
Walter Gresham
Josephine Gresham
Lions and children, strength and purity (or was it innocence?)
Beautiful ceiling mural painted by Josephine Gresham herself
Detail lost in the dark, but you can imagine it, right?
Brent is holding the device for self-guided tours. The narration is through a speaker, not headphones, and bonus media can be displayed.
Gives one a good idea of the time, considering this was “state of the art”!
Given the size of this icebox, I understand how daily marketing was a necessity.
We looked all over for Neptune. There he is!
No, we didn’t use our inside voices…
This “goblet” was the size of today’s shot glasses. My, my, my, there’s really no such thing as sipping anymore!
This cherub was only inches tall, part of a larger piece
One of many stained glass windows
Texas proud
The front doors aren’t used for tourists. This is just inside the front doors.
Rub a dub dub!
Elevator… fancy
In the 1920’s the Catholic Church purchased the home, which is directly across the street from the Sacred Heart church. The house then became the home of Bishop Byrne, with a small amount of remodeling to accommodate the bishop’s devotional needs, Gresham House then became known as Bishop’s Palace. When the Diocese moved to Houston, Bishop’s Palace was opened to the public for tours.
Bishop Byrne’s chapel, formerly a Gresham daughter’s bedroom.
Original alter and prayer kneelers
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the writers of the four gospels.
Another ceiling detail in the chapel
One of the stained glass windows behind the alter
Well, that was a good way to spend some time.
One last thing: Brent sidewalk surfing