About the Goodman Museum

The Goodman Museum known as Bonnie Castle by its original owner, Samuel Gallatin Smith, was originally built in 1859 as a one-story, four-room house. The young well-to-do bachelor was killed during the Civil War, but before he left, he sold the home in 1861 to Franklin N. Gary. In 1866, Dr. W. J. Goodman, a local doctor and Civil War surgeon, bought the house and moved in with his bride, Mary Priscilla Gaston Goodman. For seventy-two years, the prominent family made this house their home. Dr. Goodman's daughter, Sallie, married James H. LeGrand in 1893. They lived here throughout their lives and bequeathed the house to the City of Tyler upon her death in 1939. Much of what we know about the home and its past residents comes from a diary kept by Sallie. The diary recounts tales about guests who stayed at the house to escape the dangers of the Civil War, and describes elegant social parties and receptions held for politicians. Historical records show that the Goodman-LeGrand House has undergone a number of major renovations. The second story was added around 1880 and subsequent additions were made until the appearance, in the early 20th century, was that of a Greek Revival facade with projecting circular porticos. Renovations were made in the 1960s, in the 1980s, and again in 2002-03. Furnished with the original belongings of the Goodman and LeGrand families, the Goodman Museum offers visitors a chance to view such items as massive, handcarved furniture, a grandfather clock from the colonial era of the United States, fine silver and china, original clothing, medical books published in the 1930s, surgical tools and medical cases, original paintings and photographs, and many other rare and interesting items.

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