The University of St. Thomas broke with tradition when it hired Philip Johnson to design its new campus in 1956. And though Johnson took inspiration for his buildings at UST from the modern architecture of Mies van der Rohe, his campus plan was influenced by something much older: Thomas Jefferson's 1818 design for the University of Virginia.

Our tour focuses on the development of the university's campus and the buildings of the adjacent Menil campus, which include Eugene Aubry's Rothko Chapel and Renzo Piano's Menil Collection and Twombly Gallery. We'll also visit Hughes House, the boyhood home of Howard Hughes Jr., and Johnson's Chapel of St. Basil at the University of St. Thomas, one of the most unique worship spaces in Houston.

Please note that this is an exterior tour only. The tour will not go inside any buildings.

Free parking is available in the lot on the north side of the Link-Lee Mansion as well as on nearby streets. Please remember to observe posted parking regulations.

Tickets will go on sale at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 14, 2016, in the parking lot on the north side of the Link-Lee Mansion, 3800 Montrose Boulevard at West Alabama. Admission is $10 for the general public ($7 for Preservation Houston members and students with valid ID). Those who walk, ride a bike or use public transit to get to the tour will receive a $2 discount. Children 11 years old and under are admitted free. Tickets may be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. The last tour group will leave just after 2 p.m. Advance reservations are not required for this tour.