First Floor Fridays offer guests a peek into the past as the public is welcomed into The W.H. Stark House on select Fridays throughout the year, including this Friday, March 10, as well as April 14, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with the last guest admitted at 1:30 p.m. Entrance to The W.H. Stark House is free of charge.
Opening up the first floor of the historic Orange home, The Stark House staff shares the meticulously managed property rich in Southeast Texas lore. The public is invited to walk the grounds and the first floor of the home, which includes the library, music room, dining room and breakfast room/office.
“We are thrilled to open The W.H. Stark House to the public and share all of the wonderful history, lore and preserved artifacts with the community,” Stark House Director of Education and Engagement Hannah Danielson said. “The house is a testament to the craftsmanship, local resources and the mill employees of Miriam and William Stark.”
The W.H. Stark House was built from 1893 to 1895, and the Queen Anne style structure reportedly has many Victorian architectural features including bay windows, a turret, and an asymmetrical floor plan, as well as three brick chimneys connecting to nine fireplaces, 10-inch thick outer walls, and lumber framework custom-carved from the family-operated Lutcher & Moore Lumber Company.
“We have gone to great lengths to preserve this historical home and the items that belonged to the Stark family,” Danielson added of the home features rooms with 12-foot high ceilings and silk wall coverings. “Visitors can expect to see art, rare books and treasures from around the world, as well as intricate American craftsmanship on the exterior and interior of the home.”
Materials for a self-guided experience are provided for all visitors. Underwritten by the Stark Foundation, timed tickets are available at the Carriage House on a first-come, first-served basis. This experience is appropriate for individuals and groups no larger than six people. There are no age restrictions, but visitors must be able to climb stairs to access the house entrance. Note these spaces are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
For more information about The W.H. Stark House, visit whstarkhouse.org or call (409) 883-0871. The W.H. Stark House is located at 610 Main Ave. in Orange.