O. Henry Museum, Austin

O. Henry Museum, Austin

This quaint Victorian cottage, situated in Downtown Austin, holds historical significance as the former residence of the renowned American writer, William Sydney Porter, who is better recognized by his pen name, O. Henry. Constructed in 1886, the cottage embodies the simplified Eastlake Style of architecture. Between 1893 and 1895, Porter and his family resided here before relocating to Houston, where Porter embarked on his full-time writing career at the Houston Post. Despite being primarily associated with his home state of North Carolina, O. Henry set 42 of his stories in Texas.

The cottage remained a rental property until 1930 when plans were made to demolish it to make way for a warehouse. However, in January 1934, a committee representing various women's organizations, including the Colonial Dames, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of 1812, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Daughters of the Confederacy, proposed to the Austin City Council that if the city accepted the house as a donation from the Austin Rotary Club and agreed to relocate it, these organizations would undertake its restoration and transform it into a "shrine."

The City of Austin oversaw the relocation of the house from its original site at 308 East 4th Street to its current address. Subsequently, in 1934, the house was meticulously restored and opened as a museum. The museum showcases numerous period pieces, including some of the Porter family's furniture and personal items, along with books, manuscripts, and photographs documenting Porter's life in Austin. The house underwent further restoration in 1994–95, including a new roof and the replacement of four brick chimneys that had been lost in 1934.

Recognizing its historical significance, the Porter house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 1973. It is currently known as the O. Henry Museum and serves as the venue for the annual O. Henry Pun-Off, a spoken pun competition held traditionally during the first weekend of May.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Austin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

O. Henry Museum on Map

Sight Name: O. Henry Museum
Sight Location: Austin, USA (See walking tours in Austin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Austin, Texas

Create Your Own Walk in Austin

Create Your Own Walk in Austin

Creating your own self-guided walk in Austin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Congress Avenue Walking Tour

Congress Avenue Walking Tour

Congress Avenue is the main street in Austin, Texas, and historically its first one. Since the city's establishment in the first half of the 19th century, it has evolved and today bears the mark of Austin’s economic and cultural development. Stretching approximately 1.5 miles, this iconic thoroughfare is a must-visit for tourists.

At the northern end of the avenue stands the majestic...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Austin Street Art Walk

Austin Street Art Walk

Austin, Texas may be famed as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but its street art is just as vibrant, funky, and diverse as its plentiful music venues. Indeed, Texas’s capital is practically peppered with dozens of murals, sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Among the artworks gracing the city's walls there are some truly iconic pieces that illustrate the kinky side of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Downtown Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Downtown Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Northwest downtown Austin boasts an impressive collection of historic residences of notable styles, ranging from classic Victorian to Georgian to Greek Revival. Carefully preserved and restored, these constructions – from nationally listed historic sites to the significant local elements of the built environment – form a major part of Austin’s cultural heritage and indelible chapter of its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Austin Introduction Walking Tour

Austin Introduction Walking Tour

Despite the official status of Texas' capital, Austin never fails to surprise visitors with its unique artsy community and lively atmosphere. The city proudly wears the title of "The Live Music Capital of the World" thanks to the eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock, established since the 1970s by the likes of Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles