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Woodland (Huntsville, Texas) facts for kids

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Woodland
Woodland (Sam Houston's Home) in Huntsville, Texas.JPG
Sam Houston House in 2012
Sam Houston House is located in Texas
Sam Houston House
Sam Houston House
Location in Texas
Sam Houston House is located in the United States
Sam Houston House
Sam Houston House
Location in the United States
Location 1402 19th St. on Sam Houston State University campus, Huntsville, Texas
Area 15 acres (6.1 ha)
Built 1847 (1847)
Architectural style Dog-trot
NRHP reference No. 74002097
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 30, 1974
Designated NHL May 30, 1974

Woodland is a special historic house located in Huntsville, Texas. It sits on the campus of Sam Houston State University. This house was the home of Sam Houston from 1847 to 1859. Today, Woodland is part of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history.

What Does Woodland Look Like?

Woodland is the main building on the museum's 15-acre property. This property is found at the southeast corner of the Sam Houston State University campus. The house is a one-and-a-half-story building made of logs.

The Unique Design of a Dogtrot House

The outside of Woodland is covered with wooden boards called clapboards. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, known as a gabled roof. Woodland is a classic example of a dogtrot house. This type of house has a wide open hallway right through the middle. This hallway is called a breezeway.

On each side of the breezeway are rectangular rooms made of logs. There are brick chimneys at the ends of the house. A porch with a sloped roof stretches across the front. It is held up by square posts. Inside the breezeway, a winding staircase leads up to loft areas. These loft spaces were used as bedrooms.

The History of Sam Houston's Home

When Sam Houston first started living here in 1847, Woodland was just a simple one-room log cabin. But he soon began to make it bigger. In that same year, he added the breezeway and a second log room.

How Woodland Changed Over Time

Later on, more changes were made to the house. The upper level was improved, and the winding staircase was built. It seems the front and back of the house were even switched around! Sam Houston and his family lived in Woodland until 1859. During this time, he was a very important person in Texas. He served as a United States senator and later as the Governor of Texas.

It's important to know that some of Houston's biggest achievements happened before he moved into Woodland. For example, he played a key role in Texas gaining its independence. He also helped Texas become a part of the United States.

Other Buildings at the Museum

Today, near the main house, you can also see a rebuilt kitchen building. There's also a restored cabin that Sam Houston used as his law office. These buildings help visitors imagine what life was like for Sam Houston and his family.

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