The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts is a popular visitor destination located in a century-old Victorian house adjacent to the arts district of Downtown Chattanooga. It contains one of the world’s finest collections of antique glass and ceramics, as well as antique furniture, music boxes, coverlets and other rare pieces from the collection of the late Anna Safley Houston. It boasts the world’s largest collection of pitchers.

A unique museum in this country, the Houston is one of Chattanooga's significant visitor attractions. The museum offers guided tours of its permanent displays of the rarest pieces from Mrs. Houston’s collections and changing exhibits as well. It also houses a gift shop where many unusual items are available, including some similar to glass and ceramic pieces in the Houston collections. The gift shop is open to the public, free of admission charge.

The Houston Museum is open Monday through Friday, with the first tour at 9 a.m. and the last at 4 p.m. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays by appointment and closed major holidays. Admission is $9.00 ages 17 and up; $3.50 ages 4 to 17, and free for children age 3 and under. Special discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.

The museum is located at 201 High Street -- When you’re in Chattanooga, do visit the Houston!

Become a museum member today and help support the almost 50-year-old treasure that is the Houston. Or simply send a contribution that is tax deductible and will mean a great deal to this unique institution that offers education and enrichment to thousands of people annually. Membership benefits are provided in each category of giving. Special levels of support include the following: Anna Safley Houston Club, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000; Grand Benefactor; $500; Benefactor, $250; Patron, $100; Sponsor, $50; Family, $45; Individual, $35; Senior, $25. For more information, call the museum at (423) 267-7176, or e-mail houston@chattanooga.net.