Ashton Villa is a fully restored, historic home located on the corner of 24th and Broadway in Galveston, Texas, United States.

[2][3] On January 7, 1859, Colonel James Moreau Brown, a prominent hardware merchant and banker, purchased four lots at the corner of 24th and Broadway in Galveston, on which to build a home.

Referencing architectural pattern books current at the time, he modified several plans to design his future home.

[2][4] The three-story house was built in Victorian Italianate style, with deep eaves, long windows and ornate verandas that were topped by lintels made of cast iron.

[7]Although many claims have been made to Ashton Villa's central role in the original 1865 pronouncement, no extant historical evidence supports such assertions.

Edwards' annual prayer breakfast and celebration, first held in 1979, take place every Juneteenth at Ashton Villa and include a reading of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation and 1865 General Order No.

In the storm's aftermath and grade raising of the city, its basement was filled in with sand, and the surrounding grounds were topped with two feet of soil.

Making very little change to the building, the house served as their business offices and meeting hall until 1970, at which point it was put up for sale.

With additional funding from local foundations and the government, the process of restoring and refurnishing the historic house began.

On July 25, 1974, the Galveston Historical Foundation opened the property to the public to serve as a House Museum, visitors center, and a place for special functions.