Ashton Villa

Ashton Villa is a historic home in Galveston, Texas, built in 1859 by Colonel James Moreau Brown, notable for being one of the first brick structures in Texas constructed using slave labor. The Victorian Italianate style house served as a headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies during the Civil War. It is also significant for its connection to Juneteenth, as it was the site of celebrations honoring the emancipation of slaves in Texas. The villa survived the devastating 1900 hurricane, making it a resilient symbol of Galveston's history. Today, it hosts annual Juneteenth celebrations, commemorating the legacy of freedom and community.