[2] Woodland is the centerpiece of the 15-acre (6.1 ha) museum property at the southeast corner of the Sam Houston State University Campus.

It is a classic dogtrot house, with a central breezeway flanked by rectangular log chambers, with brick chimneys at the ends.

Later alterations improved the upper level, including construction of the staircase, and apparently reversing the front and back of the house.

Houston's family occupied the house until 1859, the period during which he served as a United States senator, and as Governor of Texas.

Houston's signature achievements, the independence of Texas and its subsequent annexation to the United States, happened before he took up residence here.