The grand 1886 Bishop’s Palace was designed by noted architect Nicholas Clayton for prominent politician, businessman and former Confederate Col. Walter Gresham. The Galveston Houston Diocese of the Catholic Church later purchased the house for Bishop Christopher Byrne. The American Institute of Architects designated Bishop’s Palace as one of the 100 outstanding buildings in the United States. A National Historic Landmark, Bishop’s Palace is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the country’s most significant examples of a Victorian residence. Boasting a dramatic turret on the southeast corner, the mansion features an exquisite interior, with marble columns, 14-foot ceilings, an octagonal mahogany stairwell, spectacular stained glass, woodcarvings, and decorative plaster ceilings and walls.

The home was the scene of numerous events hosted by his wife, Josephine – an important social leader and officer of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). A DRT reception she held in April 1896 honoring the veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto was particularly memorable, as elderly soldiers brought up to four generations of women to hear “harpers in the parlor” and a “university band on the lawn.”

The building served as a bishop’s residence before becoming a museum, now owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Bishop’s Palace is open to the public for several tours throughout the week offering varying degrees of access to the rooms.