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The Kirby-Hill House was built in 1902 by James L. Kirby, older brother and business partner of the more famous John Henry Kirby. The Kirby family established a lumber empire which dominated the economy of this region for almost 100 years.

 

The Kirby-Hill House Museum and Educational Foundation, established in 1992, has raised the money locally to purchase the property and restore the outside. Inside restoration is planned room-by-room, and funding will come from grants, donations, and admissions. The group also has a series of Murder Mystery Dinners, Lunch with Lucy on Fridays, and the Kirby-Hill Bed & Breakfast that raise funds.

 

The house features wrap-around porches with forty-eight columns, four fireplaces, and eight rooms that all open onto the porch through eight-foot, double-sash windows. The most outstanding architectural features include the curved walls and oval grand staircase. Much of the furniture and china is original to the house. The foundation also has many of the pictures, papers, and artifacts belonging to the family and dating back to 1832.

 

On the grounds is a state champion Crepe Myrtle tree, and plans are to develop vegetable and flower gardens, rose gardens and a hedge maze. Future plans also include an 1850 cottage, an activity building, and new welcome center. The Kirby-Hill House is located in Kountze, next door to the Kountze Public Library, and one block north of the Hardin County Courthouse.

Tour-
On the formal tour, the docent assumes the role of ten of the people associated with the house. As guests move from room to room, they move through time, from Martha Kirby on the porch in 1903 to Lucy Hill in the Parlor in 1923, then upstairs for 1932 to 1962 and finishing in the kitchen with Autie Hill in 1977. The surprise ending of the tour takes place back in the dinning room in 1999. The curator has developed a three-hour educational program for students in second, fourth, sixth, and eighth grades. The program relates the subjects math and music, art and English, science and social studies to each other and to the Kirby-Hill story. The house is also available for rent for community events and meetings.

 

Rentals-
The building is available for meetings, receptions, weddings, showers and classes.  The customary charge is $35.00 for each hour, but other terms can be arranged.  Bed and Breakfast prices are $80.00 a night for one room or $150.00 for a two room suite. The house has air conditioners, heaters, modern kitchen, and functional bathrooms. 
 

 

Unique Features-
- 6 gables, two chimneys, crow's nest with balustrade
- 8-foot windows, curved front walls, double front doors
- Wrap-around porches, two levels, entry from all eight rooms
- Grand staircase, massive pocket doors, exquisite woodwork
- Servants' staircase, butler's pantry, unique closets
- Built-in china closet with lifting glass doors
- 4 mirrored fireplaces with decorative brass covers
- 1.2 acres for botanical and historical development
- Pictures, albums, papers, artifacts dating back to 1832
- Lucy's 1879 organ, an 1850 piano and other original furniture AND
- 100-year old STATE CHAMPION crepe myrtle TREE

 

Annual and Bi-Annual Programs-
Please see updated Calendar of Events on website
Kirby-Hill Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (twice a year)
The Big Thicket Texian Days (during month of March)
Annual Christmas Dinner Fundraiser (during  month of December)
Wildflower Roundup (twice a year)
Kirby-Hill Educational Experience (twice a year)

 

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