By Regina Sass
Galveston does get its share of rain, being on the Gulf of
Mexico and many of the Galveston attractions are outdoors. However when it is raining in Galveston, there are indoor attractions where you can learn and experience the history of Galveston and some of its more interesting former citizens.
Bishop's Palace
Walter Gresham, who made his money in railroading, was a leading citizen of Galveston in the latter part of the 19th century. He built Bishop's Palace, a more than 7,000 sq ft Victorian out of stone and steel as a private residence for himself, his wife Josephine and their 9 children. The Bishop's Palace is a National Historic Landmark and is considered to be the 14th most important Victorian structure in all of the country. Guided tours are given every hour, every day of the week, from noon to 4 p.m.
Bishops Palace
1402 Broadway
Galveston, Texas 77550
Tel: (409) 762-2475
www.galvestonhistory.org/1892_Bishops_Palace.asp
Texas Seaport Museum
There is one thing you cannot see at the Texas Seaport Museum when it is raining and that is the 1877 tall ship ELISSA, but you can come back on a sunny day for that and there is plenty to see and do inside. The Museum has a computer data base of immigrants who came to the United States through Galveston and the public is welcome to search for their ancestors, you can take a self guided tour, see the show about the great storm of 1900 and learn about the famous pirate, Jean Laffite and the time when Galveston was his base of operations. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and during annual Sea Trials.
Texas Seaport Museum
Pier 21, Number 8
Galveston, Texas 77550
(409) 763-1877
www.galvestonhistory.org/Texas_Seaport_Museum.asp
The Moody Mansion
The Moody Mansion is four stories tall, has 28,000 sq ft. and was once the home of one of the most powerful families in the state. The house was finished in 1895 and the original family sold it to W.L Moody Jr. after the great storm of 1900. The Moody family was in possession of the house for more than 80 years. It is now a museum with artifacts from the Moody family. Hour long tours are conducted from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
The Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway
Galveston, Texas 77550
Tel: (409)762-7668
About the Author:
Regina Sass is based in the Adirondack Region of New York State. She has been a writer for 10 years writing for publications in the real estate and retail industries. Online experience includes writing,advertising and editing for an educational web site. Sass is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
