From Fur Trader to Founder of Galveston, Texas: Michel B. Menard and The 1838 Menard House
The Menard House is the oldest surviving structure in Galveston, Texas. Built in 1838 by Michel Branamour Menard, the Greek Revival home was fabricated, shipped from Maine in parts, then reassembled. This was a common and economical practice as both carpenters and cargo space was plentiful at the time. Menard was a Canadian-born trader and merchant and co-founded Galveston after arranging the purchase of land on Galveston Island from the Republic of Texas in 1836. Born in 180