Menardi Gras! 2025

Join us for an unforgettable night of revelry at the 1839 Menard House, the oldest residence on Galveston Island and the very birthplace of Mardi Gras on Galveston Island! This historic venue is where the island’s first Mardi Gras celebration took place, and we're bringing the spirit of that legendary celebration back for one spectacular pre-Mardi Gras party.

Tickets include access to beverages, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and live music by New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band, performances by Cirque La Vie, and more! Tickets are limited, and advance reservation is required.

# GALVESTONHISTORY+ MEMBERS RECEIVE EARLY ADMISSION AND A TOAST FROM 6:30-7 P.M.

Tickets are non-refundable.

ATTIRE: Mardi Gras is all about dressing for a great time. We recommend something festive (costumes are encouraged) and fun. The event will be held outside, so please keep that in mind when deciding.

MENU

• Red Beans and Rice
• Mini Muffuletta Sliders
• Shrimp & Grits Shooters
• Mini Beignets (cooked on-site)
• Mac & Cheese Shooters
• Pecan Praline
• King Cake

Complimentary wine, beer, French 75 cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, and more are included in the ticket price.

ABOUT MARDI GRAS

In 1840, the Galveston City Company founder, Michel Menard, hosted the first masquerade ball on the island, most probably as a housewarming. On March 26, 1856, history was made as the first Mardi Gras ball in Galveston was held at the house. The Galveston News reported the next day that over 300 guests attended. Many came in costumes, such as Pocahontas, Lady Washington, Queen of the Gypsies, Don Juan, French Musketeers, and Cassanova, to name just a few. The paper also reported that the “party began early and lasted til late” and that every single room in the house was overtaken by the revelers.

Mr. and Mrs. Menard were praised in the newspaper for great accomplishments in such an “exceedingly brilliant ball that would doubtlessly be followed by others, but not surpassed for beauty, splendor and general enjoyment.”

Galveston’s first official, citywide celebration of Mardi Gras came in 1871. Two rival krewes emerged that year: the Knights of Momus and the Knights of Myth. Both krewes produced grand-scale night parades. These night parades continued until 1880 when they proved too extravagant an expense to continue.

By 1873, tourists were traveling to Galveston to participate in the Mardi Gras festivities. The celebrations continued and grew until Galveston shared the spotlight with New Orleans.

World War II brought about the demise of Galveston’s Mardi Gras. With a nationwide shortage of men, materials, and money, the festivities were deemed improper. After the war ended, the annual celebrations returned, but as smaller, private events.

In 1985, Galvestonian George P. Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia, launched a citywide revival of Mardi Gras. The grand opening of the Mitchell’s Tremont House hotel in the Historic Strand District provided an elegant backdrop for the festivities. Celebrations featured a mile-long Grand Night Parade, famous jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain, a gala ball, live entertainment, and the first Galveston Art Walk.

ABOUT THE 1838 MENARD HOUSE

One of the founders of the City of Galveston, Michel B. Menard, arrived in Texas in 1829. He was born near Montreal in 1805 and entered the fur trading company of John Jacob Astor at the age of 14. Menard arrived in Nacogdoches in the 1830s and began speculating in Texas land. Because land was only granted to Mexican-born Texans at that time, many of Menard’s land deals were made by Juan Seguin, a Mexican citizen who eventually fought under Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. Seguin purchased 4,600 acres at the eastern end of Galveston Island on behalf of Menard in December 1836. With this claim, Menard formed the Galveston City Company with Samuel May Williams and other prominent Texas businessmen in 1838. Galveston was incorporated a year later.

The house, built in 1838 and the oldest on the island, is in the Greek revival style. The furniture and furnishings, with few exceptions, all date from the first half of the 19th century (1800-1850s). They are of the federal, empire, regency, Biedermeier, and William IV styles, as interpreted by American, English, French, and German artisans. Carpets, drapes, and upholstery fabrics are reproductions appropriate for the period 1830-1850.

Michel Menard died in 1856, and his descendants occupied the house until 1879. In 1880, the house was bought by Edwin N. Ketchum. Ketchum was police chief during the 1900 Storm. The Ketchum family owned the home until the 1970s. During the early 1990s, the house was in such disrepair it was threatened with demolition by the City of Galveston.

Host or Publisher Galveston Historical Foundation