High Noon Talk: Tournalaid Homes - A Treasure Worth Saving
Programs
April 2, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Join us for a captivating presentation about the forgotten history of Tournalayer Housing.
Event Details
Take a mid-day break with our free High Noon Talks! Discover interesting, and often untold, stories of Texas at our casual lunchtime series.
Dr. Everett Henderson Jr. discovered that one of his earliest memories was of living in a prefabricated home built using the revolutionary Tournalayer system, which helped shape communities in the mid-20th century. Surprisingly, he also learned that this innovative housing method has been largely forgotten since the 1940s.
Developed by engineer R.G. LeTourneau, the Tournalayer system was a game-changer in the world of construction. LeTourneau designed a machine that could build an entire house — complete with walls, roof, ceiling, plumbing, and electrical systems — in a single day. This approach completely transformed the way homes were built, shifting from traditional handcrafting to machine-made housing.
The Vicksburg community where Everett grew up was one of the first to be built using the Tournalayer system. The homes were simple and minimalist, and designed to foster a sense of community — something that LeTourneau prioritized above all else.
Sadly, many of these homes are now disappearing. The second Tournalayer community in Longview, Texas, is hoping to relocate the last two existing in the community. In recognition of their historical significance, these houses were added to Preservation Texas’s Most Endangered Places list in 2023.
This program is FREE to the public.
Image of a Longview home courtesy Preservation Texas and Letourneau University Archives
Dr. Everett Henderson Jr. has a deep-rooted love of art and design as he continuously writes and paints. He is currently researching and documenting the history of the Royal Portable Typewriter, the Texas-born sculptor Jean Cappadonna Nichols, and a work in progress that weaves his paintings and short stories. Everett has practiced architecture in Florida and Texas and is currently merging his architectural knowledge in the field of digital technology in large scale digital media in Times Square, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. Being born in the analogue era, he loves the direct connection of the hand and the mind when it comes to creating, but has an affinity for the new digital tools as well.
Public programs at the Bullock Museum explore relevant history and celebrate the culture that has shaped our modern world. Through engaging discussions, live performances, and experiential activities visitors are invited to see local connections and discover how Texas fits into a broader national story.
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The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.
