Bayou Bend and Gardens

Bayou Bend and Gardens, Houston, TX

Delight in one of the finest displays of American furnishings, silver, ceramics and paintings in the world at Bayou Bend as part of this group bus trip. Situated on 14 acres of organically maintained gardens in Houston, Texas’ historic River Oaks neighborhood, Bayou Bend was established in 1925 when Houston civic leader and philanthropist Ima Hogg and her two brothers, Mike and Will, selected the area for their home. Ima Hogg lived in her estate from 1928 until 1965, then left her home, gardens and collections as a legacy to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Today the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s American decorative arts and paintings collection, the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center and The Shop at Bayou Bend help the art museum establish its place in the continually growing cultural arts scene in Houston.

Visiting Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Start your visit to Bayou Bend and Gardens in the Lora Jean Kilory Visitor and Education Center. In the Bayou Bend House exhibits showcase the art museum’s American decorative arts and paintings, featuring objects dating from 1620 through 1870. The Shop at Bayou Bend offers a memorable shopping experience in a boutique atmosphere.

The Lora Jean Kilory Visitor and Education Center

Begin your visit in the Lora Jean Kilory Visitor and Education Center’s Temple Foundation Orientation Gallery. In the gallery you can become acquainted with Bayou Bend through introductory videos and learn about the ways in which you can make the most out of your visit to Bayou Bend. The Hogg Family Legacy Room houses art objects and memorabilia while information panels introduce you to the rich legacy left behind by the Hogg family in Texas.

Bayou Bend House

Bayou Bend, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s house museum for American decorative arts and paintings holds objects dating from 1620 through 1870.Works of art not only reflect fine examples of American design and craftsmanship, but also the tastes, values and aspirations of Americans. Explore rooms on both floors of the house, including the main entertaining areas and upstairs suite. See and learn about some of Bayou Bend’s rare and historical treasure as well as unique Texas-made objects like the easy chair made of mahogany, eastern white pine and maple between 1760 and 1800 or James Peale’s oil painting, Still Life with Vegetables made in 1826. Additionally, you can learn about the Hogg family, and how Ima Hogg transformed her home into a museum in order to showcase one of the best collections of American antiques in the country.

Bayou Bend Gardens

Miss Hogg designed the gardens at Bayou Bend with the intent of creating outdoor rooms for living and entertaining, not just views to be admired from within a house. These designs reflected her love of beauty, flowers and natural woodlands. Among the plantings chosen by Miss Hogg were magnolias, crape myrtles and other flowering trees unique to the South. Additionally, Miss Hoggs planted camellias and is credited with introducing azaleas to Houston. Miss Hoggs’ gardens changed little until she gifted the gardens to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 1957 and put River Oaks Garden Club in charge of caring for the gardens. Today organic gardening methods are used in Bayou Bend’s gardens. It is the only formal, public garden in the state of Texas that practices organic gardening and continues into perpetuity as a historic, but not static site. For over eight decades the gardens have remained a living testament to Ima Hogg’s life, vision and generosity to Houston.

Shopping at Bayou Bend

Be sure to stop by the Shop at Bayou Bend for a memorable shopping experience. A selection of unique products that reflect quality craftsmanship and the beauty of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens are available to purchase.

Travel Tips

- Personal photography is permitted outdoors only.

- Most areas at Bayou Bend are ADA complaint.

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