Sam Rayburn House Museum facts for kids
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Samuel T. Rayburn House
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Sam Rayburn House Museum in 2009
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 Samuel T. Rayburn House
Location in Texas
Samuel T. Rayburn House
Location in the United States
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| Location | 890 W. SH 56, Bonham, Texas |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | W.B. Yarborough |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001361 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | May 11, 1976 |
The Sam Rayburn House Museum is a special historic house located in Bonham, Texas. It was once the home of Sam Rayburn (1882-1961). He was a very important person in American politics.
Sam Rayburn was known as a famously effective Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. This means he was the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. The house was built in 1916. In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark. Since 1972, the Texas Historical Commission has taken care of it as a museum and a state historic site.
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About the Sam Rayburn House
The Sam Rayburn House sits on about 2 acres of land. It is on the west side of Bonham, Texas. The property has the main house, a storage building, a shed, a garage, a wellhouse, and a barn.
The main house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a classic look. The front of the house has a porch with tall, round columns. There are also three windows that stick out from the roof. The front has three sections, with the main door in the middle. This door has windows on the sides and above it.
History of the House
People first thought the house was built around 1904. This was before the Rayburn family bought the land. But later research showed it was actually built in 1916. Sam Rayburn's brother, Tom, bought the land without a house on it.
The house was smaller when it was first built. It also had a different kind of roof. The house you see today is much larger. Sam Rayburn hired an architect named W.B. Yarborough from Dallas, Texas to expand it.
Sam Rayburn lived in this house until he passed away in 1961. He did not have children. His sister lived in the house until she died in 1969. After that, the Sam Rayburn Foundation took over. In 1972, the foundation gave most of the property to the state of Texas. This was done to preserve it.
All the furniture and items inside the house are original. They are just as they were when the Rayburn family lived there. You can even see Rayburn's 1947 Cadillac on the property!
Sam Rayburn's Important Role
Sam Rayburn was one of the most important members of Congress in the early 1900s. He served for 17 years as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. This is a very powerful position.
He helped keep different parts of the Democratic Party working together. He also guided future president Lyndon B. Johnson. Of all the places Sam Rayburn lived, this house is the best preserved. It helps us imagine what his life was like.
Gallery
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Dining area
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Family room
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Sam Rayburn's bedroom
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See also
