Houston’s Bayou Bend: Origin Story of Texas High Culture

Over the years, I’ve written half a dozen or so stories about the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, but I’d never been to Bayou Bend, the historic house in Houston where the museum displays its stellar antebellum American furniture, silver, textiles, glass, prints, and portraits. Bayou Bend is a place — it was once the grand home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg — but it’s also shorthand for a distinguished collection, a lovely formal garden, and a philosophy of art display called the period room. It’s the origin story for high culture in Houston as well.

I’m high on the MFA in part because I’ve seen so many good exhibitions there but, mostly, because I’ve seen the place develop over 40 years as a greenhouse for high culture in the South.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

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Over the years, I’ve written half a dozen or so stories about the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, but I’d never been to Bayou Bend, the historic house in Houston where the museum displays its stellar antebellum American furniture, silver, textiles, glass, prints, and portraits. Bayou Bend is a place — it was once the grand home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg — but it’s also shorthand for a distinguished collection, a lovely formal garden, and a philosophy of art display called the period room. It’s the origin story for high culture in Houston as well.

I’m high on the MFA in part because I’ve seen so many good exhibitions there but, mostly, because I’ve seen the place develop over 40 years as a greenhouse for high culture in the South.