The Willis-Moody Mansion was commissioned by Narcissa Willis, wife of a wealthy Galveston cotton broker, in 1894. Its architect was W. H. Tyndall. With massive arches, lavish use of brick and stone, and over 100,000 square feet of space, the Willis-Moody Mansion exemplifies the Romanesque revival style popular at the time.

The interior originally featured rooms paneled in African mahogany and cherry, walls covered in gold brocade fabric, and ceilings adorned with frescoes on plaster and canvas. Shortly after the 1900 hurricane, William Lewis Moody, another Galveston businessman, purchased the mansion for a fraction of its original value from the Willis heirs even though the house had been largely undamaged by the storm. The Moody family lived in the mansion until 1986.

George and his students began restoration work on the Willis-Moody Mansion and the adjoining Quigg-Baulard Cottage in 1985 and the project continued through 1987. During this period, George taught part-time at the University of Texas at Austin, and led a team of students, conservators, artisans and engineers in the restoration of the mansion, which was to be converted for use as a museum.

Students were involved with the documentation and research of the project. George also instituted a training program for artisans in historical methods of restoration and maintenance.

Willis-Moody Mansion: Archeological excavation and various views of restoration

The Quigg-Baulard Cottage

Cottage front: Before and after restoration

Cottage rear: Before and after restoration