About Us
The mission of the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts is to showcase and preserve the unique decorative arts collection of the late Anna Safley Houston and to use it for education and enrichment.
About Us
Director's Welcome
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, we’re so glad you’ve found your way here.
Our museum is home to a remarkable decorative arts collection that tells the stories of everyday life, craftsmanship, and beauty from centuries past. Housed in a historic 1890s building in the heart of Chattanooga, the museum reflects the vision and passion of our founder, Anna Safley Houston—an extraordinary woman whose love of antiques and fearless spirit continue to inspire everything we do.
As stewards of this unique collection and historic home, we’re dedicated to preserving both for future generations while creating new ways for our community and visitors to engage, learn, and be inspired. From guided tours and special exhibitions to educational programs and events, we invite you to explore all that the museum has to offer.
Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to welcoming you in person soon.
With gratitude,

Pam Reed
Executive Director
Houston Museum of Decorative Arts
About Us
Honoring the Legacy of Anna Safley Houston
The Anna Safley Houston Museum of Decorative Arts is a unique cultural institution, opened in 1961 in Chattanooga’s Bluff View Art District to honor the legacy of Anna Safley Houston, a pioneering businesswoman and antique collector. From the early 1900s through the 1940s, Anna curated a remarkable collection of decorative arts that now includes over 15,000 items, spanning glassware, pottery, textiles, furniture, and much more. Her entrepreneurial spirit and foresight in bequeathing this collection to Chattanooga's community have made the museum an invaluable resource for local history, artistic heritage, and educational enrichment.
About Us
New Museum Plans
Capital Project
Phase I:
(May–September 2024)
focused on essential structural improvements, including foundation work and water management. Phase complete and fully funded.
Capital Project
Phase II:
(started October 2024) will restore the interior and exterior of the house, including ADA-compliant restrooms on both floors, preserving the home’s Victorian charm while modernizing it to accommodate all visitors. Phase in progress and fully funded.
Capital Project
Phase III:
(starting Fall 2025) is the final stage of the project and partially funded.
It will:
- Install an elevator to ensure full ADA-compliance and improve accessibility for all visitors.
- Increase climate-controlled storage for our large textile collection
- Create a new gallery space for rotating exhibitions, showcasing contemporary works alongside Anna’s historic collection.
- Build a conservatory classroom inspired by Victorian glass houses, which will serve as a dedicated space for educational programs, private and public events, and community gatherings.
This final phase will not only ensure our building is fully accessible but also allow us to expand and enhance our educational programming, which has seen significant growth since the hiring of our new Education Coordinator in October 2022.
