The Neill-Cochran House Museum is a treasured part of Austin's history. The historic house was built in 1855 by Abner Cook, the Master Builder who also designed the Texas Governor's Mansion and several other important historic buildings around Austin. The House has survived, largely unchanged, through several tumultuous periods in American History, not only as a residence, but also, at times, as a school, a hospital, and now, a museum and event rental facility. The NCHM is one of the few antebellum historic residences open to the public.