What is the O. Henry Museum?

The O. Henry Museum is the former residence of William Sydney Porter, the famous short story writer who wrote under the pen name O. Henry. He and his family lived in this Queen Anne-style cottage during the 1890s, a period when he wrote his earliest stories.

How much does it cost to visit?

Admission to the museum is free.

What are the hours of operation?

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What events are hosted at the museum?

Since 1972, the museum has hosted writing workshops, poetry readings, and the annual O. Henry Museum World Championship Pun-Off, which is a spoken wordplay and pun competition.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

O. Henry Museum in Austin

What to know

The O. Henry Museum, located at 409 East 5th Street in downtown Austin, is the former residence of William Sydney Porter, widely known by his pen name, O. Henry. Famous for his turn-of-the-century short stories featuring signature twist endings—such as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Ransom of Red Chief," and "The Last Leaf"—Porter lived in this cottage with his wife, Athol Estes Porter, and their daughter between 1893 and 1895. It was during his time in Austin that Porter wrote his earliest stories. Built in 1886 as a rental house, the structure is a simple yet well-constructed four-room Queen Anne-style cottage. It features high ceilings, handsomely carved doors and windows, ornate hinges, and Bastrop pine flooring. Before becoming a museum, the cottage had been left derelict for many years. In January 1934, the home was donated to the City of Austin, which undertook its relocation and restoration. In March 1934, the house was permanently moved from its original location at 307 East 4th Street to Brush Square. It opened to the public on June 2, 1934. Brush Square itself holds historical significance, as it was one of the four original parks conceived in the 1839 Edwin Waller Downtown Austin Plan. Today, the museum stands as one of only a handful of historic sites along East Fifth Street that remain preserved amidst modern high-rise buildings. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 1973. Recently, the museum underwent a major restoration project, reopening to the public after being closed for more than two years. Maintained by a division of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department with an on-site curator, the museum's mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts and archival materials related to Porter. Since 1972, the museum has served as a vibrant community hub, hosting writing workshops, poetry readings, and the famous annual O. Henry Museum World Championship Pun Off, a spoken wordplay competition and fundraiser.

Visitor tips

Enjoy completely free admission to explore the museum's exhibits and historic rooms.
Plan your visit between Wednesday and Sunday, as the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Be sure to check the operating hours, which are from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Nearby context

Located in Brush Square in downtown Austin, the O. Henry Museum sits in a historically rich park that was part of the city's original 1839 plan. Today, this charming cottage provides a striking architectural contrast to the surrounding modern high-rises. It is situated in close proximity to other notable local landmarks, including the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the iconic marquee of Antone's, making it an easy and rewarding stop on a walking tour of downtown Austin.