The 1848 Gillard-Duncan House Moved from Ames to Liberty
Dr. Edward J. and Emma DeBlanc Gillard built their home near Ames in 1848. The Gillard family had arrived in Liberty County in December 1845. The design drew strongly from Creole architecture and resembled two homes called Plaisance and Castile.
Native pine and cypress came from the family's nearby sawmill. Inside were a travelers' room, an enclosed stairway, marbling, wood-grained doors, and an upstairs schoolroom. The Gillards used that room to educate their children and children from neighboring families.
The house remained in the family until 1976, when Elizabeth Gay Bennett gave it to TSLAC. It moved to the Sam Houston Center grounds in 1980 for security and public access, then was restored and received a historical marker in 1984. Original furnishings stayed with the house, while family belongings and papers preserved by Julia Duncan Welder are held at the center.
Content last revised 2026-07-11