R. Q. Astin House

Coordinates: 30°40′27″N 96°22′40″W / 30.67417°N 96.37778°W / 30.67417; -96.37778
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The Astin Mansion
Astin Mansion Frontal View
The Astin Mansion is located in Texas
The Astin Mansion
The Astin Mansion
The Astin Mansion is located in the United States
The Astin Mansion
The Astin Mansion
Location508 W. 26th St.,
Bryan, Texas
Coordinates30°40′27″N 96°22′40″W / 30.67417°N 96.37778°W / 30.67417; -96.37778
Arealess than one acre
Built1921 (1921)
MPSBryan MRA
NRHP reference No.87001607[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 25, 1987

The Astin Mansion is a historic house located at 506 W. 26th Street, Bryan, Texas, USA. It was built in 1920 and designed in the English Georgian Revival style. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 25, 1987.[2][3]

The Astin Mansion was built by Roger Q. Astin for his wife Nina (née Heard). Roger Astin was the youngest son of James Hugh Astin, a wealthy landowner and owner of the Rivermist cotton plantation. The Astin family significantly shaped the growth of Bryan, Texas and the Brazos Valley. There are several charitable organizations in the area that bear the Astin name as a result of the philanthropy of Nina Astin.[4][5]

The Astin Mansion was designed by architect Hal B. Thompson. Mr. Thompson also designed Highland Park in Dallas. The main house has 96 windows and 16 sets of French doors. The original slate roof has been maintained. Many of the interior fixtures, chandeliers and mirrors are original to the house. The overmantle was carved by Peter Mansbendel in the style of the famous English carver Grinling Gibbons. Mr. Mansbendel also carved several of the limestone and cast stone mantles. The ironwork is thought to be from Henry Potter Ironworks of Dallas.[6] The Astin Mansion complex also includes a carriage house that has been converted into a lounge. Above it is an apartment. Additionally, behind the main house, there is a children's playhouse built by Nina Astin for her children that is a miniature of the mansion.[7]

The Astin Mansion has been used as a Special Events Venue for upscale events since 2004.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "The Astin Mansion - Stylish. Classic. Historic. Timeless. Downtown". The Astin Mansion - Stylish. Classic. Historic. Timeless. Downtown. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "AssetDetail". npgallery.nps.gov. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Legacy - The Astin Family | Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History". www.brazosvalleymuseum.org. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Nina Heard Astin Charitable Trust – Foundation Grants – Wells Fargo". www.wellsfargo.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Roger Q. & Nina Heard Astin (Bryan, TX)". petermansbendel.com. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Nelson, Hazel. "The Astin Family" (PDF).
  8. ^ "The Astin Mansion - Stylish. Classic. Historic. Timeless. Downtown". The Astin Mansion - Stylish. Classic. Historic. Timeless. Downtown. Retrieved November 5, 2016.

External links[edit]

Media related to R. Q. Astin House at Wikimedia Commons