J. B. Wells House c.1885
The Gonzales Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) was organized with Mrs. Wells’ and daughter, Effie’s support and participation. Mrs. Wells treasured the contributions of their families and cherished the simplest items such as a sugar bowl buried during the historic Runaway Scrape. She insisted that her home and all the treasures would go to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Gonzales Chapter DRT. She wanted to ensure that they could continue the work of preserving the historic structures and family collections and would continue to tell the family stories.
The Chapter began the arduous task of taking a property not lived in for decades to accomplish goals set by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) such as installing HVAC to protect the furnishings for posterity. Work continues today through preservation and interpretation as DRT members work to sharpen the focus on the unique and little-known moments from the past of our expanding City.
Whether ones interest centers on local or Texas history, design and architecture, or on the stories and connections of the individuals involved with this singular house, you will find more than a few occasions during any given tour or visit to reflect on their lives and the impact on ours today.
