Flower Hill Center

We’re building Flower Hill Center in real time—restoring the historic Smoot family home, activating the grounds, and shaping a space that honors the past while welcoming the future. Every program, partnership, and project brings us closer to realizing our full vision: a place where history, art, and community come together year-round. From construction and conservation to concerts and classrooms, the work is happening now, and with your support, we’re laying the foundation for a cultural landmark that will serve Austin for generations to come.

Flower Hill Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and activating the Flower Hill Homestead and its extensive collection. The museum holds over 10,000 artifacts spanning more than 250 years, offering a rich, detailed view of American middle-class life through the lens of the Smoot family--a perspective rarely highlighted in historic narratives that often focus on wealth or political prominence.

The Smoot family's story reflects key themes in American history, including post-Civil War expansion in the Southwest, a deep tradition of civil service, and a strong commitment to education and civic life. Located in downtown Austin, Flower Hill serves as both a cultural landmark and a vital resource for understanding the city’s early urban development.

Our mission is to honor the Smoot legacy while fostering cultural growth and community connection through educational programming, public tours, and collaborative events. A growing slate of public offerings--ranging from an artist-in-residence program inspired by the Smoots’ own creative legacy, to a thriving community garden rooted in their self-sustaining practices--brings this mission to life. We also host public festivals, intimate dinner gatherings, performances, and concerts that make Flower Hill a vibrant space for cultural exchange and storytelling.

As our programming continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming more artists, neighbors, and visitors into the evolving story of Flower Hill. Through this work, we contribute to a deeper understanding of Austin’s heritage and the American middle-class experience.