George W. Bush Childhood Home

Former President George H. and W. Bush, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush gave opening remarks at this event attended by several hundred people. Since then the home has received over 30,000 visitors from every state, and over 40 foreign countries.

National and State Recognitions:

A comprehensive Historic Structure Report for the preservation of the Bush Childhood Home was completed and delivered to the Texas Historical Commission. This detailed document addressed the potential preservation and goals of the Project as well as the history of the Home and the Bush Family. The Master Plan/Historic Structure Report was partially funded by the Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The home is now on The National Register of Historic Places and is a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. The Texas Historical Commission Marker was dedicated in August of 2008.

Site Plan:

TBG Partners, a Texas-based landscape architecture firm, worked with Herndon, Stauch & Associates and Rhotenberry Wellen Architects to develop the comprehensive Site Plan for the Project. The Plan incorporates the two adjacent neighborhood homes owned by George W. Bush Childhood Home, Inc., as well as the leased parking area at the end of the block. Most significant to the Bush Childhood Home, itself, it included replicating the Bush Yard as it was between 1951 and 1956. Phase I of the Project includes the parts of the Site Plan immediately around the Home.

How Challenging was This Restoration?

It was quite a challenge! The Bush Childhood Home had the majority of its original architectural details intact, so a true restoration was possible. However, every detail presented a challenge in this small house. From the foundation, to the roof, every aspect of the house required attention after years of alterations, and the impact of natural deterioration. You name it and we found it: hazardous materials, water damage, floor patching, a bathroom addition, heavy paint on the interior natural pine paneling, roof structure issues, and a long list of restoration and preservation details that were faithfully addressed to recreate the 1950s era. This small house was lovingly brought back to its earlier life as a home to a great American family.