Neill–Cochran House facts for kids
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Neill–Cochran House Museum
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The Neill–Cochran House Museum in 2007
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2310 San Gabriel Austin, Texas, USA |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Abner Cook |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000768 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
The Neill–Cochran House Museum is a special old house in Austin, Texas. It was built way back in 1855 by a famous builder named Abner Cook. He designed it to be a grand home, even though there weren't many other buildings around it at the time. This two-story house looks like a classic Greek temple with its tall columns and unique "sheaf of wheat" railings. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about its long history.
History
A Home with Many Stories
The Neill–Cochran House was built for Washington and Mary Hill, but they never actually lived there. In 1856, it became the first home for the Texas Institute for the Blind. This school, now called the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, stayed there until its own campus was ready.
Later, important people like Lieutenant Governor Fletcher Stockdale and former Governor Andrew J. Hamilton are believed to have lived in the house. After the American Civil War, soldiers used the house as a hospital. General George Armstrong Custer was in Austin during that time. He likely visited the Neill–Cochran House, as he was staying nearby.
New Owners and a Museum
In 1876, the house was sold to Colonel Andrew Neill, a veteran of the Civil War. He lived there with his wife, Jennie Chapman Neill. After Colonel Neill passed away, Jennie rented the house to Judge Thomas Beauford Cochran in 1893.
Judge Cochran bought the house in 1895 for his family. He made some changes and updated it. In 1958, the Cochran family sold the property to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Texas. This group now runs the house as a historic museum. The Neill–Cochran House Museum is recognized as a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Texas Historical Commission landmark.
A House in a Game
In 2007, a computer adventure game called "Sterling's Gift" was made about the Neill–Cochran House. The game tells a fictional story based on real diaries and memoirs. Players solve a mystery from 150 years ago, involving George Custer's wife, Libbie. Money from the game's sales helps support the Neill–Cochran House Museum.
Gallery
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Neill–Cochran House Museum atrium
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Neill–Cochran House Museum bedroom
