Mayfield Park - Cottage and Gardens

Mayfield Park - Cottage and Gardens is a 23-acre historic property in Austin, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its centerpiece is a white cottage built between 1860 and 1880 and purchased in 1909 by Allison Mayfield, a former Texas Secretary of State and Railroad Commission chairman, whose family added the cottage's porches and a stone-and-wood pergola patio. Just under two acres of walled garden surround the cottage, with water lily and lotus ponds enclosed by antique rock walls, 32 volunteer-tended garden beds, and the largest stand of Sabal Texana palm trees north of the Rio Grande. Free-roaming peafowl, descended from birds gifted to the park in 1937, along with herons, koi, and turtles, share the grounds. The property hosts small private gatherings, including weddings, baby showers, proposals, and memorial services, as well as meetings, lectures, classes, and small retreats. Up to 45 guests may gather inside the cottage, with a maximum of 100 guests total across the cottage and gardens. Amplified sound is not permitted, and the venue does not accommodate children's birthdays, family reunions, or large public events.