GALVESTON – This past Saturday, The Bryan Museum hosted and celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Reporter Whisper Williams attended the museums event, reporting that the event drew in around 1,500 visitors, according to staff. Although museum workers stated they hoped for a larger turnout, they were pleased with the crowd in attendance, especially given weather conditions.

Housed in a building which used to be the Historic Galveston Orphanage, the Bryan Museum contains one of the largest private artifiact collections, including art, documents, and figures relating to all things Texas, and the West.

As stated on the museums website, The Bryan Museum aims to bring history to life through art, education, and preservation. With a collection of over 70,000 artifacts spanning through the last 12,000 years, this non-profit museum is comprised of exhibitions, educational programs, administrative offices, and inspiring historical stories.

The Museums Origin

In October 2013, founders J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan purchased the Galveston Orphans Home and began restoring the historic building for the opening of their museum. The Bryan Museum opened in June 2015, hosting 20,000 square feet of exhibits, artifacts, and education, all open to the public.

Before the museums opening, founder J.P Bryan donated his collection of artifacts to the museum in an attempt to share Texas history with future generations. This collection has grown significantly throughout the years due to donations from both public and private individuals.

In its 10 years of operation, this museum has become a fundamental part of the community. It is a place to go to learn about the past, and be inspired by the stories of the future.

Why It Matters

Since the institutions opening, over 400,000 guests have explored the museum, including 25,000 students as part of their “Texas history education experience”. The museum provides a hands-on learning experience for students through its education department. Educational inititives are used for students to learn about the one of a kind collection of art, maps, artifacts, and documents, but more importantly the unique stories behind each item. As stated on the museums website, the team “encourages visitors, researchers, and students to ask great questions, share innovative ideas, and think about how the decisions they make today will affect future generations.”

This museum aids students in recieving carriculum that accurately potrays the history of Texas to preserve the stories of the region. By educating current generations about Texas history, this aids the information being passed down to future generations. If young people understand and value Texas’ upbringing, these stories will be passed on, and the legacy will continue. The Bryan Museum is a leader in Texas education, and making sure young people are informed of their states past.

As stated on the museums website, “We will continue to develop and redevelop the way we reach and relate to students through opportunities, hands-on discovery, and untold stories that captivate their curiosity to keep learning.”

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Photos from the 10 year anniversary event have been shared below, taken by reporter Whisper Williams.