Michel B. Menard House, Greek Revival residence in Galveston, United States

The Michel B. Menard House is a residence completed in 1838 with white columns and symmetrical window arrangements in classical style. The building displays carefully crafted wooden details throughout both its exterior and refined interior spaces.

Michel B. Menard, a Canadian-born trader and Galveston founder, probably began the house in 1837 for his second wife, Catherine Maxwell, who died in summer 1838, the year construction finished. The prefabricated frame was shipped from Maine. Around 1850 Menard added two wings; in 1853 these hosted Galveston's first Mardi Gras ball. After Menard died in 1856, his widow Rebecca married Colonel J. S. Thrasher, former U.S. consul in Havana.

The house reflects how prosperous merchants lived in 19th-century Galveston and shaped the city's early identity. Inside, visitors see how a wealthy family furnished and used their rooms during that era.

The building sits in a walkable historic neighborhood of Galveston and welcomes visitors through guided tours. Check ahead for current visiting hours, as they vary by season and may include closures for private events.

The house was prefabricated in Maine and shipped to Texas in parts, because carpenters were scarce in 1830s Texas and Texas-bound ships had spare cargo space. It survived Hurricane Ike without serious damage.