Historical Governors mansion

Overview

Old Hollywood meets Old West Austin.

In 1927, the Fergusons built this home, “The Windsor House”, for $8,500. This home played host to some of the most significant dignitaries of Texas political culture, both visibly and from behind the curtains. Whether it was Ladybird Johnson stopping by for tea with Miriam to garnish her endorsement for Lyndon when he was running for senate, or Ann Richards dropping by to say “Hello” to her friend Miriam “Ma” Ferguson. The home silently became the nucleus of the Ferguson’s poetic political culture, known as “Fergusonism”, and many of Austin’s most prominent political families would join the Ferguson’s for their private parties in the walls of their “Windsor house”, aptly named by its location and prominent corner on the edges of Austin’s historic Pemberton Heights facing downtown and the capital.

In 2015 we, a group of local Austinites, purchased the Ferguson estate to restore the Ferguson home to its original grandeur. Knowing the history of the Ferguson home and Miriam Ferguson’s connectivity with the community as a whole, the Windsor House was furnished and started its third life as a home again; this time, available to the public to enjoy.

The Windsor House is where Old West Austin meets her cousin "Old Hollywood" for a weekend of poolside conversation and cocktails. Take calls from your balcony in flip flops and a robe with some of the best views of downtown. This is where the makers create, connect, and come home to. Ideas, inspiration, new family & friends are found here. Come here when you’re looking for a fresh start, need a place of solace to write a song, or to enjoy a congregation of friends and family for a special day together. This home is an embodiment of the Austin culture and panache, re-born by true Austinites, and an inspired by the life and goodwill of “Ma” Ferguson. It is a refuge from the normality of our everyday lives, a place to work and relax with friends. Upon arrival at The Windsor House, your group can enjoy the tastefully selected decor, all hand-picked by Austin’s renowned interior designer Joel Mozersky. Prepare yourself and your group for the full monty of VIP amenities; our swimming pool, just off of the front steps of the home, is ready to host you and your family and friends for a poolside barbecue in the sunshine.

Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, the first female Governess of the State of Texas, built what would be her longest-tenured and final home here atop the hill on the corner of Windsor and Enfield Road in 1927. Following her second term as Governor, Miriam moved from the Governors Mansion straight into this home, where she lived until her death in 1961. The spirit of “Ma” still fills her home with positive energy, and during the restoration her oversight and approval for the restoration were felt by all of our family of contractors. We pay homage to her positive energy and influence by returning her home to her, to allow her even in death to play host to visiting families, friends, influencers and newcomers. Whether you join “Ma” in the rose garden for some pastries and a mint julep or host a dinner for you and friends in the house, the spirit of “Ma” will assure your stay to be fully refreshing, rejuvenating, and memorable.

House Rules