Public Tour

Travel in the Republic
Timing: 60 minutes, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: free, donations welcome

Experience our 17-room complex including a barn, mail room, guest quarters, living quarters, and family cemetery during a self-guided visit of the historic Fanthorp Inn. Learn about Henry Fanthorp, an English immigrant who built his home here in 1834, welcoming many travelers and community members into his inn. An interpreter will be onsite to answer questions.

School Tour

The Athens of Texas
Grades: K-12th grade
Capacity: 10-60 students
Timing: 90 minutes, Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $2 per student

Anderson was once known as the "Athens of Texas" due to the high quality of scholarship experienced here. In fact, the Fanthorp Inn served as the first school in the community starting in the 1840s. That legacy continues today, as students can discover the role the Fanthorp family and their inn played in major events in Texas history. As they tour the site, students will walk in the footsteps of notable figures like Lady Ameilia Murray, Dr. Anson Jones, and Sam Houston.

Adult Group Tour

1 Horse, 2 Meals, All Night
Capacity: 10-30 adults
Timing: 90 minutes, Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $6 per person

Back in Fanthorp's heyday, guests could stable their horse, eat two meals, and sleep in a private room for $1.50. During this guided tour, you’ll discover all the amenities the inn had to offer and find out why it was described as the "finest inn in the south." In operation from 1834 to 1868, the Fanthorp Inn grew from a two-room dogtrot cabin to the seventeen room complex you see today. Join us to explore what travel and mail delivery was like during the days of the Republic.

Tour Reservations

Tour reservations should be made six weeks in advance by completing this tour request form. If your group is looking for a specialized tour experience, contact the site directly to inquire about customizing your tour.

Outreach

Yours Truly...Henry Fanthorp
Grades: 4th-8th grade
Capacity: 20-200 students
Timing: Wednesdays, 45 minutes per session
Cost: $5 per person

In this program students will take a virtual tour through the 190-year-old Fanthorp Inn and discover what travel was like in the 19th century. Afterwards, students will write, fold, and seal a letter just as Fanthorp's guests did in the 1830s.

Outreach Reservations

Outreach programs are offered on select Wednesdays throughout the year to groups within 75 miles of Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site. Outreach programs can be modified to fit auditorium style programming or individual classroom-style experiences. Modification may require the removal of certain program aspects if the group is large.

Only one outreach program can be scheduled at a time. Multiple sessions of the outreach program can be scheduled on the same day by the same school.

To see all available dates and complete a reservation request, please visit our Outreach Request Form.

Parking 

Paved standard and accessible parking is available but space is limited.  Paved bus parking is also available. 

Museum Store 

Guests can now purchase souvenirs of their trip to the historic inn at the Museum Store, which is open during operating hours. 

Accessibility 

The first floor of the Inn and exhibit barn are accessible. Decomposed granite pathways connect the Inn, Barn and parking lot.  

Nearby Attractions: