Samuel May Williams - Evolution of the House - Elevations

Not only did the Samuel May Williams floor plans change with time, but several events modified the elevations of the house as well. From the addition of the south porch by Williams, to a fire in 1890 which destroyed the original cupola to the raising of the island after the 1900 storm, the house has taken on many looks.

During the renovations currently taking place with the house, the exterior will remain unchanged. Some rotten wood has been replaced and a fresh coat of paint has been applied, in the same colors that the house was painted at the time of Samuel May Williams' death in 1858.

East Elevation (front) changes:

West Elevation (back) changes:

Samuel May Williams - Evolution of the House - Plans

When some walls and floors were recently opened up, it was clear to see that the Samuel May Williams House has changed several times since it was built in 1839. A historic structures report from 1978 studied these changes. The house is very Creole in form and matches the typical plan of this style from the 1820s, as shown (M2i) in this illustration from Louisianas Remarkable French Vernacular Architecture by Jay D. Edwards (1988).




The report calls out four distinct phases of construction and renovations to the building:

Phase I - Original Construction (c. 1839-1842)




This was a simple Creole plan with a semi-detached brick kitchen and a front and back porch.


Phase II - Williams' Alterations (c. 1842 - 1860)



In the first set of renovations, the south porch was constructed and portions of the back porch were taken in as rooms.


Phase III - Post Williams' Alterations ( c. 1860-1900)



During Phase III, interior doors were cut between rooms, a small lean-to shed was built behind the kitchen and the steps were shortened when the island was raised after the 1900 Storm.


Phase IV - Post Williams' Alterations (c. 1900 - present)

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - VII

The wood floors have been cleaned and sealed to 90% completion and covered to protect them while the interior is painted. The tall palm and pecan trees have been pruned and limbs trimmed from hanging over the roof. Exterior painting is completed and electrical and plumbing repairs are under way.

Tickets are now available online for purchase to attend the 2008 Historic Homes Tour and also the ASID Show House: http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Galveston_Historic_Homes_Tour.asp

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - VI

Painting of the exterior is nearing completion and work continues with installation of walls and doors on the interior of the designer show house. The warm rich color of the wood floors is being brought back by Schenck and Company - Houston specialists in wood floors - 713.266.7608 - http://www.schenckandcompany.com/ . They have done an amazing job so far and are not sanding the floors, but giving them a deep cleaning with steel wool and applying oil and a sealant to them.

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - V

At the Samuel May Williams, a few walls have been opened up. Cabinets in the kitchen were removed and the upstairs shower was taken out. The transformation of the wood floors began with a deep cleaning and oiling, instead of sanding. Lattice panels which shielded the HVAC equipment in the back of the house had become damaged over the years and will be replaced.

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - IV

. . . and then, the construction began. Most of the general contracting for the project is being done by Alex Gonzales at Creative Combinations by Alex. Zack Owens, with BOI Construction replaced the modified bitumen roofing over a southern portion of the house. Once the furniture and carpet were removed from the Samuel May Williams House, it was clear for the transformation to begin.

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - III

From the cupola at the Samuel May Williams House, it's said that Sam could see his merchant ships coming into port and tell what they were carrying by the flags they had raised. He could then meet them at the wharf and sell the merchandise. Although impressive, the view in his time must have been much better because the island was lower (before the Seawall was constructed and the island was raised) and because there were few houses built in that area of town in the early years of Galveston. The cupola decking will get a new covering and rotten ballustrades and rails are being replaced during GHF's renovations.

On Saturday, February 23rd, GHF held a Stewardship Day at the house to remove carpet, move the furniture into storage and to prune the landscaping. It was a successful morning and a huge help in getting the house ready to turn over to the contractor for the interior work to begin.

Samuel May Williams Designer Show House - II

The former theater room in the Samuel May Williams will see perhaps the greatest transformation as it becomes a kitchen that would be welcome in any home. While correcting soft areas in a portion of the floor, inactive termite damage was discovered.

This included a hand-hewn beam with mortise and tendon construction that was original to the 1839 house. The end of this beam was saved as an example of the construction techniques of the time and also the damage that termites can cause.

The exterior of the house is getting primed and ready for a new coat of paint. The shutters to the house were repaired about two years ago, thanks to a grant from the Texas Historical Commission. A few areas of rotten wood are being replaced in the process. Stay tuned for more progress photos . . .