Have you explored the breathtaking grounds of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens? This one-of-a-kind property tucked away in River Oaks is filled with history. Spring is the perfect time to take in the beautiful flowers and the grounds of the former home of Ima Hogg, also known as the “First Lady of Texas.”
Ima Hogg: The First Lady of Texas
Ima Hogg was born near Tyler in Mineola, Texas, in July 1882. Her father, James Stephen Hogg, served as the governor of Texas from 1891 to 1895. She loved music at a young age, starting piano lessons at only 3 years old, and studied music in New York, Vienna, and Berlin. She helped establish the Houston Symphony Orchestra in June 1913. However, in the late 1910s, Hogg and her family’s life changed forever when oil was discovered on land the family leased in Brazoria County. Afterwards, Hogg and her brothers became extremely wealthy. In the 1920s, a two-story, twenty-four room house that cost $217,000 was custom built for Hogg and her two bachelor brothers on Memorial Drive, on the cusp of Buffalo Bayou.
Bayou Bend is a Houston Gem
Ima Hogg lived at the home with her two brothers until one got married and the other died. Over time, she transformed her home into a living museum filled with unique antiques, artwork, and objects. Her collection began with a mid-18th century American armchair in 1920. Over the next three decades, she collected more decorative arts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, creating a rich legacy of Americana. It's still displayed at her home today, because Hogg donated the house and her collections to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 1956. The home officially opened as a museum to the public in 1966.
What You Can Find There Today
Today, you can go on a tour of the home and take in each room that Ima Hogg decorated to honor different periods of history. Bayou Bend also hosts events throughout the year, including some for the whole family, where kids can participate in music and art activities. Next month, enjoy mint julep cocktails and live music at Jazz and Juleps. Also, we’re bummed that the Azalea Trail isn’t happening this year, a storied tradition in Houston dating back 88 years. In 2021, the event shifted to being hosted every two years. So mark your calendars for March 2026 when it returns 🌼
