Chattanooga Museum Will Reopen in November 2026
The historic Anna Safley Houston Museum completes a $4 million restoration, bringing updated accessibility to its 1892 property.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The Anna Safley Houston Museum of Decorative Arts will reopen its doors in November 2026 following an extensive two-year closure. The project modernizes the 1892 Queen Anne Revival-style historic home while preserving its vast collection of decorative artifacts.
Why it matters
This renovation improves critical infrastructure and accessibility for one of Chattanooga's historic landmarks. The project ensures the long-term preservation of the building and its 15,000-piece collection for local residents and visitors.
The $4 million project revitalized an 1892 home, resulting in five restored galleries and a new glass conservatory classroom. These upgrades support the display of over 15,000 pieces of glass, ceramics, and furniture originally collected by Anna Safley Houston.
The players
Anna Safley Houston
A prolific collector who amassed over 20,000 decorative artifacts during her lifetime.
River Street Architecture
The design firm responsible for the historic preservation and structural upgrades of the museum.
New Blue Construction
The contractor that executed the $4 million infrastructure and accessibility improvements.
The details
Led by River Street Architecture and New Blue Construction, the renovation process focused on integrating modern infrastructure into the historic Queen Anne Revival structure. The team added an elevator and ADA-accessible restrooms to meet contemporary building standards. Additionally, the interior restoration focused on the creation of five dedicated galleries to better showcase the museum’s extensive inventory.
Timeline
1892: The historic museum property was originally constructed.
1951: Museum namesake Anna Safley Houston passed away.
2024: The museum building closed to the public for renovation.
November 14, 2026: A celebration will be held from noon to 2 p.m.
November 17, 2026: The museum will host a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting.
The Home Front
This project reflects a broader trend of repurposing 19th-century residential architecture to meet 21st-century safety and accessibility mandates. Such restorations balance the requirements of modern building codes with the preservation of regional historic character.
Local residents looking to update their own historic properties can look to this project as a model for integrating modern accessibility features like elevators or bathrooms into older layouts. Consult with a licensed design professional to see how these accessibility standards can be adapted for a residential space.
The takeaway
The reopening highlights the value of maintaining historic assets through proactive infrastructure updates. Homeowners with aging properties should consider scheduling regular professional assessments to identify when systems reach the end of their service life.
Further reading
Explore more projects in the Home Renovation section of our site.
Live Poll
Do you prefer that historic local buildings be updated for accessibility during major restorations?
