Advance ticket purchase is required for this walking tour. Scroll down to reserve tickets.
The area now known as the Museum District gained prominence in the 1920s, thanks to its proximity to Rice University, Hermann Park and the Museum of Fine Arts. As Houston expanded, stretches of open prairie were transformed into elegant residential neighborhoods — communities that remain highly desirable a century later.
This 90-minute, docent-guided walking tour explores two of those early enclaves: Shadowlawn and Waverly Court. Developed in the early 1920s and inspired by the “private place” model of St. Louis, both were designed as exclusive retreats within the growing city. Well-to-do Houstonians hired leading architects — including William Ward Watkin, John F. Staub and J.W. Northrop Jr. — to design homes that reflected both status and style. Mid-century additions by architects like Anderson Todd and S.I. Morris brought a modernist perspective to the neighborhood. Taken together, the homes and the people behind them offer a revealing look at Houston’s growth and evolving architectural tastes through the 20th century.
This is an exterior architecture tour only. The tour will not go inside any buildings. There are no public restrooms along the tour route.
About the tour
Advance tickets are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate walk-ups on the day of the tour.
After you register, we’ll send parking and check-in details to your e-mail.
Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable unless Preservation Houston cancels or reschedules the tour. In the event of severe weather, we’ll be in touch as soon as possible to discuss options.
Do you have an Architecture Walks pass?
If you have joined Preservation Houston and received a pass for a free Architecture Walk, you may redeem the pass for admission to this tour. E-mail tours@preservationhouston.org and we'll be happy to help.
Passes are redeemable subject to ticket availability.