802 San Marcos StreetAustin, TX 78702
Students & teachers $1.00; Seniors & AAA members $3.00; Regular adult $3.00.
The museum is a non-profit organization which has been under the custody of the
Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1949. The museum receives no state-appropriated funding, and all proceeds benefit the French Legation Museum in its ongoing efforts towards restoration, historic preservation, educational programming, maintenance, and operations.
The historic French Legation Museum is the oldest extant frame building in Austin and one of the only structures remaining in the city from the era of the Texas Republic. The museum consists of the original two-story Louisiana Bayou-style house, as well as a replica early French out building kitchen and a replica carriage house.
Construction of the French Legation began in 1840 and was completed in the spring of 1841. The Legation was built by Comte Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, charge d' affaires of His Majesty Louis Phillipe, King of France, to the Republic of Texas.
The Legation was purchased in 1948 by the state of Texas from the Robertson family, who had owned the house for 100 years. The historic house was placed in the custody of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1949. The DRT has restored and maintained the Legation for the public to whom it was opened as a museum on April 5, 1956. The DRT maintains an extensive garden surrounding the Legation, landscaped with indigenous trees and shrubs.
The museum is furnished with original and period furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and has archaeological exhibits from excavations of the grounds. There are seven hundred pieces in the collection, most of which are on permanent exhibition.
Educational/informational tours and handouts; children s day camps. Several special events are held annually. Admission fee schedule: adults $2.50, senior citizens/AAA members $2.00, young adult (ages 11-18) $1.00, children (10 and under) $.50.
History of the French Legation in Texas by Kenneth Hafertepe is available in the museum gift shop.
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