In Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood, the Elisabet Ney Museum preserves the bold vision and legacy of one of the 19th century’s most daring sculptors. Built in 1892, Ney’s limestone studio—Formosa—became both her artistic retreat and a gathering place for politicians, artists, and philosophers. It remains one of the oldest artist studios in Texas, offering a glimpse into the life and work of a woman who defied convention.

Inside, visitors can explore the world’s largest collection of Ney’s sculptures, including lifelike portraits of Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Otto von Bismarck, and Jacob Grimm—many created from life sittings in both Europe and Texas. The museum’s historic architecture, completed in two phases, features a Neo-Classical main studio, a reception hall, and a tower where Ney’s husband, Edmund, would write. True to her unconventional spirit, Ney often slept on the roof, and the structure includes hidden doors in floors, ceilings, and walls, reflecting her artistic eccentricity.

Beyond the building, the museum sits on 2.5 acres of restored Texas prairie, a rare recreation of the original biome Ney encountered in 1892. Native wildflowers and grasses flourish here, creating a vital habitat for pollinators and rare plant species. Today, the museum continues Ney’s artistic mission, hosting contemporary art exhibitions, educational programs, and lively events like the annual POLKAPOCALYPSE! festival.