Sam Bell Maxey was a Mexican War veteran, former Confederate general, and future U.S. Senator when his family moved into their fashionable, newly built home on the south side of Paris in 1868. In this home, the Maxey family navigated the political and social landscape from Reconstruction Era Texas through the start of the First World War. The home’s newly restored interiors showcase original family furnishings, clothing, and letters. These give insight into the lives of the three generations of the family that bore witness to Reconstruction’s challenging legacy.

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Location

812 South Church St. 
Paris, TX 75460 
903-785-5716 
Contact us
See map

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Hours

Tuesday to Sunday 
9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Closed Noon to 1 p.m on Sunday

Guided Tours at the top of the hour 

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Tickets

Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1

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Programs

Public Tours  
Special Events  
School Programs

Den inside the Sam Bell Maxey House

Plan Your Visit

Visitors are guided through the Victorian home of the Maxey and Long families, which interprets how an upper-middle-class family lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Parlor inside the Sam Bell Maxey House

Sam Bell Maxey House History

Samuel Bell Maxey was born on March 30, 1825 to Rice and Lucetta Pope Bell Maxey in Tompkinsville, Kentucky.

Events at Sam Bell Maxey House

A man holding a piece of paper is speaking with young girl in a room filled with old furniture. Another man carrying a baby is close to them looking at an artifact on a table.

Donuts with Dad

Join us for a FREE Father's Day celebration of Dads, Dads-to-be, and the Dads we've found (or who found us) on life's way! Enjoy donuts, milk, orange juice, and yard games as we celebrate! We'll also have a fun scavenger hunt and craft kids can do with their dads in the house.

Image of text against a white background: "Sam's Summer" in bold, black letters at the left top, "STEAM" in colorful letters with images of a lightbulb, quilt square, ooze dripping, morse code, paint splatter, and a fingerprint around it, and "Series" in bold, black letters at the bottom right

Sam’s Summer STEAM Series: Optical Illusion Toys (Morning)

Join us on Thursday, June 20 at 10:00 am as we start Sam’s Summer STEAM Series! This Thursday, we will be learning about Optical Illusion Toys!

Image of text against a white background: "Sam's Summer" in bold, black letters at the left top, "STEAM" in colorful letters with images of a lightbulb, quilt square, ooze dripping, morse code, paint splatter, and a fingerprint around it, and "Series" in bold, black letters at the bottom right

Sam’s Summer STEAM Series: Optical Illusion Toys (Afternoon)

Join us on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 pm as we start Sam’s Summer STEAM Series! This Thursday, we will be learning about Optical Illusion Toys!

Sam Bell Maxey House in the Blog

Historic Road Trip: Denison to Clarksville

Settled by Native Americans, conquered by Spaniards, then included as part of Mexico, this region is rich with history and culture. This part of North Texas was also home to several legendary Texans, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sam Rayburn, and Sam Bell Maxey—their stories are each told at a Texas Historical Commission state historic site in the area.