Galveston Historical Foundation to Hold Gala Celebration June 26 to Mark Transfer of 1861 Custom House to GHF from Federal Government

On January 5, 2010, Galveston’s 1861 Custom House ownership was transferred to Galveston Historical Foundation from the federal government. The property at 20th and Postoffice had been under continuous federal ownership since 1857. GHF has occupied the building as its headquarters since 1999. After initial rehabilitation 10 years ago, GHF has committed more than $1.5 million to the care of the building.

In celebration of the transfer of ownership and to celebrate the post-Ike restoration of this important national landmark, GHF is holding a gala event at Custom House on June 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $100 each, and are available by calling 409-765-7834.

The 1861 Custom House was begun in 1860 and completed in 1861. The Boston firm of Blaisdell and Emerson built it in 114 days, an unprecedented accomplishment at the time. The extensive use of fireproof cast iron was revolutionary then and likely accounted for the building’s survival from the 1885 Galveston Fire. During the Civil War, the Confederate Army occupied the building. In 1865 it was the site of the ceremony officially ending the war in Galveston. The U.S. Government resumed occupancy that year after making extensive repairs.

GHF has occupied the building as its headquarters and Preservation Resource Center since 1999. Under an innovative agreement, the General Services Administration retained ownership of the building for the federal government, but GHF was responsible for operating costs, maintenance and further restoration.

“GHF is one of the only local historic preservation organizations in the country that has stewardship of such an important federal building,” said GHF executive director Dwayne Jones. “The Custom House has been central to the history of the entire state—it was the first non-military federal building in Texas, the first cast-iron and masonry building, and actually the first architect-designed building in Texas. GHF is very proud of our role in preserving it as a Galveston centerpiece.”

Negotiations leading to the foundation’s outright ownership of the two-story renaissance-revival building were underway before Hurricane Ike struck in September, 2008, said Jones, but the problems caused by storm damage to the first floor and infrastructure lent urgency to the talks.

“We found that without the standing of ownership, it was very difficult to negotiate with FEMA and insurers. Our board of directors decided last fall that to be truly responsible stewards of the building, we needed to have title.”

“The mission of GHF is to preserve Galveston’s historic buildings and to make them available to the public to visit and enjoy,” said Jones. “As the owner of the Custom House, GHF will have additional opportunities to develop the property for the benefit of Galveston. We have some exciting opportunities to do that now.”

The purchase was made possible through a bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on October 19, 2009, which specifically allowed GSA to convey the property to GHF. The bill was sponsored by Representative Ron Paul, R-Texas.