This news attracted the attention of the Cum Concilio Club, a local historical group. The Club conducted fund raising projects for one year in hopes of purchasing the aging structure. Unable to prevent the demolition of the building, the Cum Concilio Club purchased the building stones that were later incorporated in a small memorial structure and museum. Before the house was torn down in 1902, it was the oldest standing stone structure in the State, and its porch one of the earliest examples of the galerie style porch in Texas. In 1936, the same stones were in turn used to build the present replica structure, authorized by the Texas Centennial Commission, which stands on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Admission is free of charge.
Guided tours are available by reservation only. Major collections include an herb garden, fern glade, dry garden, daily and iris garden, a perennial border, bog garden, conifers, plants of Asia, and native plants of East Texas. Sam Houston baptized as Roman Catholic here, because Mexico required landholders to be Catholic. Open Mon.- Sat. Mediterranean-style Eugene Blount Home, built in 1923.