Bush Family Home now a Texas State Historic Site

The Bush Family Home in Midland is now a Texas State Historic Site, it was announced Wednesday.

In April 2022, the Texas Historical Commission (THC), which oversees the historic preservation of 35 other historic sites in the state, accepted the Bush Family Home as its 36th site.

As part of the development, the existing board of the Bush Family Home will transition to the newly created Bush Family Home Foundation, according to THC. Interim Director Jaclyn Woolf was named the foundation board director. Troy Gray is the new site manager. Gray spent the last seven years as the director of Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum.

“We are so excited about the future of the home with the Texas Historical Commission.”

“We are so excited about the future of the home with the Texas Historical Commission,” said Woolf. “We look forward to working with them to create a place for people to enjoy.”

Other historic sites within the THC are the San Jacinto Battleground and Monument (La Porte), the National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg) and the Port Isabel Lighthouse (Port Isabel).

“Our staff consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas history through its architectural, archeological, and cultural landmarks,” the THC website states. “The agency is recognized nationally for its preservation programs.”

The Bush Family Home, located at at 1412 West Ohio St., was constructed in 1940 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was once home to two U.S. presidents, a first lady, vice president, second lady, and two state governors. In 2006, a ribbon cutting for its transition into a museum was attended by former President George H.W. Bush and First Ladies Barbara Bush and Laura Bush. The home is known for its Third Thursday Reading program, which allows children to hear stories and take home a free book.

“We are thrilled to include the Bush Family Home as a state historic site that will highlight the significance of the Bush family not just to Texas history, but to that of the nation and world,” said Joseph Bell, THC deputy executive director. “It is a unique opportunity to provide visitors a snapshot of home life in the 1950s and ‘60s.”

The Bush Family Home has new hours: Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; open by appointment only on Tuesday-Wednesday; closed on Mondays. The last tour of the day will begin at 4:30 p.m. Learn more: visitbushfamilyhome.com.