Thank you, Clara Driscoll

My daughter and I recently attended a Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Critiquenic (writing/illustrating critique and picnic) at the Austin Museum of Art's Laguna Gloria grounds on the shores of Lake Austin/Ladybird Lake. I primarily went to hang out with my illustrator daughter, but took one of my fables for the critique. I had cut 1,100 words the night before, trying to get it down to a picture book size writing, so it was pretty rough. I received some good tips for improving it, though, and I appreciated that.

Photo by Matthew Fuller

Afterwards, I wondered who had built this beautiful home and how did it end up a place to teach and study art. I learned that Clara Driscoll and her husband Henry Sevier had built it on land originally owned by Stephen F. Austin. Wow. The Savior of the Alamo, the founder of the Austin American [now Statesman], and the Father of Texas all had connections to this land and home.

Texas history has roots all over that place.

Mrs. Henry Sevier, Clara Driscoll

Stephen F. Austin owned the land seven years before the city of Austin was founded in 1839. He wanted to build a home there, but it never happened. The Seviers married in 1906 and bought the land to build an Italianate-style mansion in 1914, completing Laguna Gloria in 1916. The couple divorced in 1937, and Clara began using her maiden name again. In 1943 shortly before her death, Clara Driscoll deeded the villa and land to the Texas Fine Arts Association to be used as a city museum. In 1961, the site was converted to the Laguna Gloria Art Museum and soon after began offering art classes. In 1983 additional facilities were built to expand the growing art school. The mansion is also available for other events like weddings, too.

My daughter and granddaughter both have attended classes at Laguna Gloria, and on the day of the Critiquenic we enjoyed the beautiful outdoor setting as we talked about writing and illustrating children's books. I'm so grateful for people like Clara Driscoll who at such a young age had the foresight to save the Alamo and later generously donated Laguna Gloria, which eventually evolved to promote the visual arts in the Austin area. But I would venture to say that most folks who enjoy the beautiful property today have no idea of the fascinating history behind it.

I didn't either, but I appreciate it even more now that I do.