JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
After a long period of rehabilitation and care, the historic 129-year old Stilwell House at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston reopened Sept. 26.
Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School, was the guest speaker at the rededication ceremony hosted by Preservation Fort Sam Houston. The house was heavily damaged in a storm in 2015 which required another period of rehabilitation.
The Stilwell House, which is building 626 on Infantry Post Road, was designed by Alfred Giles and built as the garrison commander’s quarters in 1888. Giles, a British architect who emigrated to Texas in 1875, also had a hand in designing many other notable buildings at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, such as the Pershing House, and others throughout South Texas in the 19th Century.
Brig. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, known as “Vinegar Joe,” lived at the dwelling from 1939-1940 and the building was named in his honor in 1959.
It served as family quarters until 1967 when it was converted into the Fort Sam Houston Military Museum to prevent its demolition. In 1975, the museum left and the building suffered from neglect.
In 1984, Preservation Fort Sam Houston was formed with the goal of rehabilitating this example of Victorian architecture. With guidance and assistance from the National Park Service, the Army and the support of the San Antonio Conservation Society, the rehabilitation process commenced. Sponsors for each of the room were found in 1998 and the Stilwell House was opened as a community facility.
Preservation Fort Sam Houston is a non-profit organization that promotes and preserves the history of historic Fort Sam Houston. They operate and maintain the Stilwell House to support organization meetings, and offer the house as a venue for community activities.
For more information visit http://preservationfortsam.org/, call 210-224-4030 or write to preservationfortsamhouston@gmail.com.