The Susanna Dickinson Museum, located at 411 E. Fifth St. in Austin, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Originally built by German furniture maker Joseph Hannig for his wife Susanna Dickinson, a survivor of the Alamo battle, the building served as a barbecue restaurant before being purchased by the City of Austin and transformed into a museum in 2010.
One of the unique aspects of the museum is its adult education program, which includes classes in hand quilting. Women in the 1850s were known for making quilts for their families, and the museum pays tribute to this tradition by creating a signature quilt with the names of descendants of the Alamo Battle. Visitors who can document their lineage are invited to sign the quilt, which now serves as an artifact on display in Susanna Dickinson’s bedroom.
The museum has welcomed descendants of varying ages, from a woman in her 80s who is the third great-granddaughter of Susanna and Almaron Dickinson to a 3-year-old child who is the sixth great-granddaughter. This diverse group of descendants highlights the lasting legacy of the Alamo battle and the importance of preserving history for future generations.
As a listener of Texas Standard, Jeanne Henry, the former education coordinator at the museum, shared these insights to shed light on the museum’s significance in honoring the Alamo legacy. The museum’s curator, Valerie Bennett, plays a crucial role in maintaining the museum and ensuring that visitors have a meaningful experience.
If you’re interested in learning more about Texas history and the museums that showcase it, the Texas Museum Map series by Texas Standard is a great resource. You can also contribute by suggesting your favorite museums to be featured in future articles. Your support helps sustain valuable reporting like this, so consider making a donation to continue enjoying content on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Your contribution makes a difference, so thank you for supporting local journalism.