About the Hill Country Museum
The Schreiner Mansion: A Texas Hill Country Landmark
The Hill Country Museum is housed in the magnificent Schreiner Mansion, a National Register of Historic Places landmark built in 1879 in downtown Kerrville. Captain Charles Schreiner commissioned renowned San Antonio architect Alfred Giles to design the mansion, which became the first limestone building in Kerr County. The original six-bedroom, two-story house was expanded in 1895 when Giles added a more elaborate porch. The combined Romanesque Revival and Chateauesque architectural styles feature labor brought from Germany and pink granite columns imported from Italy, creating one of the most distinctive historic homes in the Texas Hill Country.
Captain Charles Schreiner's Legacy
Captain Charles Schreiner served in the Texas Rangers from 1854-1857 before purchasing ranch property in Kerr County and marrying Mary Magdalena Enderle. After serving three and a half years in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, Schreiner returned to Texas in 1865 and established a mercantile business that grew into one of the largest mercantile-banking empires in the Southwest. His success enabled significant philanthropy, including founding the Schreiner Institute in 1917, which later became Schreiner University. The museum preserves the thrilling story of Captain Schreiner and documents the history of the Texas Hill Country from the 1850s to the 1930s.
Exhibits and Collections
The museum features exhibits focusing on Kerrville and Kerr County history, including artifacts, photographs, and documents that trace the region's development from frontier settlement to thriving Hill Country community. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved mansion interiors while learning about the ranching, mercantile, and banking history that shaped this part of Texas. The Cailloux Foundation now operates the Schreiner Mansion as a historic site and event center.
Plan Your Visit
The Hill Country Museum / Schreiner Mansion is located at 226 Earl Garrett Street in downtown Kerrville. This National Register landmark was listed in 1975 and offers visitors a window into the grandeur of late 19th century Texas. For current hours, admission, and information about tours and special events, visit hhheritagecenter.org.
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