Susanna Dickinson Museum

About the Museum

The 1869 home of Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig was saved and deeded to the City of Austin in 2003. Joseph Hannig built this home in 1869 for his new wife, Susanna Dickinson. She survived the Battle of the Alamo and carried the news of its fall to Sam Houston, which ultimately led to Houston's defeat of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto and won independence for the Republic of Texas. For this deed, Susanna Dickinson became known as the "Messenger of the Alamo." Her home was saved, restored and opened as a museum on March 2, 2010, Texas Independence Day.

The museum is the only remaining residence of Susanna Dickinson. The home is considered a “rubble-rock” house, a style of architecture brought to the Texas Hill Country by German immigrants. Inside the museum are rare Dickinson family artifacts, as well as furniture produced by Hannig. The couple lived in this house for six years, until 1875, at which point they moved into the area of town known as Hyde Park. Please stop by and let our docents show you the house and recount the vivid stories of the survivors of the Battle of the Alamo.

The museum is part of Brush Square Museums, two historic museums consisting of the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Staff

• Emily O'Connor, Museum Site Coordinator
• Hannah Bancroft, Culture and Arts Education Coordinator

On Exhibit: "Under Our Lone Star Sky"

Under Our Lone Star Sky provides a poignant exploration of issues such as struggles with homelessness, domestic violence, and systemic inequities while celebrating the resilience and strength of women throughout early Texas history as they strive for stability and belonging. This exhibit shows that many of today's struggles – economic pressures from expensive housing, jobs that pay poorly, limited institutional support – play out in various ways throughout history for Texas women.

Highlighted Events and Tours

The museum provides guided tours and programming that explores the rich and diverse history of Texas.

Education

Connecting learners of all ages to history.

Get Involved

The Susanna Dickinson Museum and O. Henry Museum are collectively known as the Brush Square Museums. To learn how you can support the museums, through financial or volunteer means, please contact the museums’ advocacy group, the Brush Square Museums Foundation.