Rienzi Mansion
Rienzi Mansion
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Rienzi, an offshoot of the Museum of Fine Arts, houses a collection of European decorative arts. Stroll the formal and Texas woodland garden. The mansion is in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Neighborhood: Afton Oaks/ River Oaks
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
74 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
30
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Magan Y
Houston, TX97 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
The Rienzi is a beautiful home (circa 1950’s?), very much in style with other elegant homes of that era. While the home is elegant, it also feels quite comfortable, livable. Be sure to tour the grounds outside in addition to the inside of the home. The museum personnel are very helpful. Allow 45 minutes. Not recommended for children. Audio is available via cell phone.
Written October 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darshan1
Houston, TX193 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
If you enjoy exploring mansions of the American elite like the Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island or San Simeon in California, this is something comparable but on a more human scale. It's perhaps more similar to the Vizcaya Estate in Miami although the unbelievable gardens and ocean views at Vizcaya are in something of a different league.
If you can't find the Rienzi easily, that's not surprising. The sign is miniscule. It's on Kirby (upper Kirby/River Oaks neighborhood) between some small side streets called Lazy Lane and Shadder Drive. You may have to double-back a couple times, but it is worth a stop if you enjoy gardens and decorative art.
The house is not that old (1960s?) and was built by the Masterson family to replicate Palladian architecture, although I associate that with more symmetry and neo-classical or greco-roman looking formality. The exterior of Rienzi looks more to me like an romantic Italian villa. The interior is largely decorated by period or style, so the "Italian bedroom" has Venetian "vedute" paintings by Caneletto's pupil, Marieschi and the Mexican room has a painting by a pupil of El Greco's and other Spanish art and tile work. There are also works in the house by Guido Reni and Angelica Kaufmann as well as rotating works on loan from the main museum (Museum of Fine Arts Houston). The wonderful docents did a great job noting the arrangement of the "English room" where paintings by self-taught George Romney and formally-trained rival Sir Thomas Gainsborough faced each other from opposite walls. There's also a lot of military-themed art throughout the house that shows the importance of bravery and loyalty to this family. (I bet it would be fun to go to this museum with a friend you enjoy arguing with about decor. Do the military eagles enhance or detract from the elegance of a formal hall? Are the gold ribbon flourishes everywhere excessive and out of sync with a neo-classical theme or are they in harmony? Discuss!)
I don't know how famous this museum is for its porcelain and china collections, but they are impressive, In fact, the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse, NY, which is known for its ceramics, could take lessons from the Rienzi. Part of what makes beautiful porcelain impressive is how you display it. Racks of dusty glass cases hidden amidst a labyrinth of brown pottery might be economical, but minimizes the beauty. The Rienzi has an advantage because the house was obviously designed to showcase the family's collection of porcelain birds, vases, and chinaware. Here's a crazy fact the docents provided: Their most impressive set of china (antique Coalport) was only used once when the family had an important visitor. Was the special guest a senator or an ambassador? Nope. Actor Larry Hagman.
I don't know much about the semi-precious mineral bleu-jaune, or Blue John, but it's apparently only found in Derbyshire, England. The vases and bowls made from Blue John on display at the Rienzi had other guests oohing and aahing.
The area of the garden available for touring is a little small considering how large the grounds are, but if you enjoy azaleas, this garden will probably knock your socks off if you hit it at its peak (probably early or mid March) Calling ahead and asking about the best garden days is recommended, but calling ahead is probably a good idea no matter when you visit. This is not a museum you can really tour without a docent (so much of the house is left as it was when it was lived in - too many display items to damage, knock over, or steal) so phoning to ensure it's not too crowded is wise. Also keep in mind that you can't pace yourself, so you will be on your feet and walking slowly about for probably 45 minutes. Not too long unless you have a bad back or bad legs.
If you have a free hour to 90 minutes, this is a good stop on any trip to Houston. Those looking for something to do not too far from a meeting in Greenway Plaza or before heading downtown to the theater district would also enjoy a stop here.
If you can't find the Rienzi easily, that's not surprising. The sign is miniscule. It's on Kirby (upper Kirby/River Oaks neighborhood) between some small side streets called Lazy Lane and Shadder Drive. You may have to double-back a couple times, but it is worth a stop if you enjoy gardens and decorative art.
The house is not that old (1960s?) and was built by the Masterson family to replicate Palladian architecture, although I associate that with more symmetry and neo-classical or greco-roman looking formality. The exterior of Rienzi looks more to me like an romantic Italian villa. The interior is largely decorated by period or style, so the "Italian bedroom" has Venetian "vedute" paintings by Caneletto's pupil, Marieschi and the Mexican room has a painting by a pupil of El Greco's and other Spanish art and tile work. There are also works in the house by Guido Reni and Angelica Kaufmann as well as rotating works on loan from the main museum (Museum of Fine Arts Houston). The wonderful docents did a great job noting the arrangement of the "English room" where paintings by self-taught George Romney and formally-trained rival Sir Thomas Gainsborough faced each other from opposite walls. There's also a lot of military-themed art throughout the house that shows the importance of bravery and loyalty to this family. (I bet it would be fun to go to this museum with a friend you enjoy arguing with about decor. Do the military eagles enhance or detract from the elegance of a formal hall? Are the gold ribbon flourishes everywhere excessive and out of sync with a neo-classical theme or are they in harmony? Discuss!)
I don't know how famous this museum is for its porcelain and china collections, but they are impressive, In fact, the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse, NY, which is known for its ceramics, could take lessons from the Rienzi. Part of what makes beautiful porcelain impressive is how you display it. Racks of dusty glass cases hidden amidst a labyrinth of brown pottery might be economical, but minimizes the beauty. The Rienzi has an advantage because the house was obviously designed to showcase the family's collection of porcelain birds, vases, and chinaware. Here's a crazy fact the docents provided: Their most impressive set of china (antique Coalport) was only used once when the family had an important visitor. Was the special guest a senator or an ambassador? Nope. Actor Larry Hagman.
I don't know much about the semi-precious mineral bleu-jaune, or Blue John, but it's apparently only found in Derbyshire, England. The vases and bowls made from Blue John on display at the Rienzi had other guests oohing and aahing.
The area of the garden available for touring is a little small considering how large the grounds are, but if you enjoy azaleas, this garden will probably knock your socks off if you hit it at its peak (probably early or mid March) Calling ahead and asking about the best garden days is recommended, but calling ahead is probably a good idea no matter when you visit. This is not a museum you can really tour without a docent (so much of the house is left as it was when it was lived in - too many display items to damage, knock over, or steal) so phoning to ensure it's not too crowded is wise. Also keep in mind that you can't pace yourself, so you will be on your feet and walking slowly about for probably 45 minutes. Not too long unless you have a bad back or bad legs.
If you have a free hour to 90 minutes, this is a good stop on any trip to Houston. Those looking for something to do not too far from a meeting in Greenway Plaza or before heading downtown to the theater district would also enjoy a stop here.
Written April 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob A
Houston, TX3 contributions
Jul 2013
The security guard that greeted us was very rude. The guide was very hard to understand because of foreign accent. Museum looked dirty. Floors were scratched and unpolished. Guide could not answer any questions about the family. We were rushed through tour and practically pushed out door.
Written September 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck C
Austin, TX91 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
I had two hours between meetings and was in the neighborhood and was thoroughly surprised. The Rienzi Museum is hidden between other large mansions on Kirby Drive, so I drove by it twice, before I located it. When you approach it, you feel like you are visiting the Masterson family's home, not a city museum. Luckily, I found there were only two people ready for the next docent tour...so, it felt like we had the whole mansion to ourselves. The garden and grounds are amazing and this is also one of the finest Worcester porcelain collections in the US. The art is mainly English, with an important Gainsborough and a few Spanish examples mixed in. Enjoy...
Written May 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikey88
Midland, Michigan692 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
The house is relatively modern but filled with antiques. The tour is good and there are some interesting pieces. I enjoyed it but understand the comments I have read - will appeal to some but not all. It's free so you have nothing to lose.
Written January 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tleeEvans
Houston, TX953 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Enjoyed the tour of the home, but the gardens are very small and parts remain off limits due to damage from the flood. Would recommend for older children, or teenagers, as it is a guided tour, so moving at your on pace is not allowed, and very young children may become board
Written April 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol D
Houston, TX59 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
This once private Home just off Kirby in River Oaks is a unique museum experience in Houston. Seeing some of the incredible items collected by the Mastersons in their travels and learning about their enjoyment of their collections and their lifestyle was fascinating. I went on the azalea trail when reservations aren't required, so it was easy. The grounds are lovely. The porcelain collection was my favorite, the architecture was as special as the collections
Written April 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catrina37
New York City, NY14 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
We were basically unimpressed with this museum. We didn't find the house itself interesting architecturally, nor were the grounds impressive to us. While there were a few items that were attractive or interesting, mostly the whole thing left us totally underwhelmed. Since the couple who owned the place aren't well known, that didn't add any interest.
The docents were very sweet and enthusiastic volunteers. One of them gave us an illicit glimpse of the thing we ended up liking best: the wife's bathroom.
The docents were very sweet and enthusiastic volunteers. One of them gave us an illicit glimpse of the thing we ended up liking best: the wife's bathroom.
Written December 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ReddogTechmom
Houston, TX69 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Wow, what a special place! If you like intimate, relaxed, personal museum experiences, the Rienzi is for you. We arrived early and walked the grounds, those open in the winter. We were early for the tour so we were directed to an exhibit about the furnishings, upholstery, the history of the Dundas sofa, and the Adams-Chippendale connection. As it happened, our docent never showed up but the delightful security guard stepped in the breach and gave us a very informed tour. She was plenty knowledgeable and could answer all of our question, so she apparently has been paying attention to the docents! She even offered to refund our entrance fee (a nominal one) but we refused saying we got our money's worth and more! We will definitely make the Rienzi a must-see destination for all our out of town visitors, and will try to get in on the "inside-out, upside down tour" where they go into even greater detail of the exquisite furnishings, art work, architectural features , world class porcelain collection and history. Hopefully that can be in the spring when the grounds are fully accessible and in bloom. This is one place that truly surprises and delights, that's why it rates a 5! By the way, call ahead for a reservation, they allow only small groups.
Written December 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danimal3474
Rancho Cucamonga, CA41 contributions
Jul 2013
2 adults, 1 teenager, 1 under 10. We toured the grounds first when we arrived on a Sunday and it was immaculate and beautiful. Some of the paths were closed off but we spent around 25 to 30 mins since we arrived during lunch hour. We took pictures and our youngest was interested with the paths. The tour of the house took around a hour and the knowledge of our guides brought the house to life. Not recommended for kids younger than 10 unless they can keep their hands to themselves, even for some adults, but for a brief lapse into history I would recommend to any travelor or Houstonian. Thank you.
Written July 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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