Are you looking for something fun to do with your friends and family? Come and explore the museums, art galleries, and libraries of the Brazos Valley!
On the trail, you will discover the birthplace of the Republic of Texas, the first county seat in Brazos County, a Presidential Museum & Library, and numerous art galleries at Texas A&M.
From cotton gins to tanks to educational hands-on learning for children to the African American history of the Brazos Valley to the heritage of Brenham and Chappell Hill. The Museum Trail has it all! Great for a weekend trip or a staycation.
When you visit six (6) participating museums this summer, between Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th, 2023, and Labor Day, Monday, September 4th, 2023, you will become eligible to win a special gift basket that includes items from local museums, and galleries!
To participate, simply pick up a Museum Trail map and complete the on-line survey at each participating location you visit. At each location, you will only need to complete the survey once per family. We will take care of the rest!
Don't forget to check out each location to see their upcoming events!
Participating Locations
Brazos Valley Museums
Brenham Heritage Museum
Located in Brenham, Texas, the Brenham Heritage Museum is the museum of Washington County. Museum content spans 10,000 years of county history, from prehistory and Paleo-Indian culture to the Information Age.
Texas Cotton Gin Museum
Step back in time when cotton was king. The historic 1914 Burton Farmers Gin is nestled in the heart of Burton, Texas - located on the same site where it was built over 100 years ago!
Museum of the American G.I.
The Museum of the American G.I. is a living history museum dedicated to preserving the equipment, uniforms, and memories of all American Servicemen and women. We are home to one of the finest collections in the US of restored, running WWI, WWII, and later-era military vehicles including a WWI FT-17 tank, WWII Sherman tanks, M18 Hellcat, River Patrol Boat, and various other vehicles.
Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
The Brazos Valley Museum hosts tours, lectures and classes. Educational programs for children include Nature Camps (held every spring/winter break, and summer), Birthday Parties, and school field trips (or if your school is in the area, have us come visit you!). Discovery Kits are available to teachers, home schoolers, scouts and others for their own use.
Brazos Valley African American Museum
The African American National Heritage Society (dba) Brazos Valley African American Museum was built on the site of one of the original black schools in the Brazos Valley. The museum is the first establishment of its kind to promote the history of African American citizens in the Brazos Valley.
The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley
A nonprofit children’s museum where children ages infant to 14 would be encouraged to have hands-on educational and fun arts and science experiences.
Cushing Memorial Library and Archives
The Cushing Memorial Library and Archives is the rare books, special collections, manuscripts, and archival repository for Texas A&M University Libraries. The collections of the Cushing Library reflect the comprehensive nature of the educational and research enterprise at A&M as well as the wide diversity of interests found among current and former students, faculty, staff and friends.
George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
The museum's core exhibits reveal the unique influences and challenges that shaped George Bush's life and presidency, and frequently changing temporary exhibits present visitors new and interesting perspectives on President Bush, his life and work. Through artifacts, film, photographs, documents, music, sound effects and interactive videos, this special museum experience encompasses much of U.S. history since 1941.
Brazos Valley Art Galleries
The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley
The Arts Council hosts and displays a variety of exhibits at our in-house gallery! We strive to bring unique displays to Brazos Valley and offer a wide variety so everyone has something to see!
Forsyth Galleries
The Texas A&M University Art Galleries, home to the J. Wayne Stark Galleries and the Forsyth Galleries, provides a variety of opportunities to experience art exhibitions, events, hands-on art activities, and lectures on the Texas A&M University campus.
J. Wayne Stark Galleries
The Texas A&M University Art Galleries, home to the J. Wayne Stark Galleries and the Forsyth Galleries, provides a variety of opportunities to experience art exhibitions, events, hands-on art activities, and lectures on the Texas A&M University campus.
James R. Reynolds Gallery
The Texas A&M University Art Galleries, home to the J. Wayne Stark Galleries and the Forsyth Galleries, provides a variety of opportunities to experience art exhibitions, events, hands-on art activities, and lectures on the Texas A&M University campus.
Brazos Valley Historical Sites
Washington on the Brazos State Historical Site
The expansive park grounds along the Brazos River provide a beautiful setting for picnicking, sightseeing and bird-watching. The Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Plantation, offer the visitor a unique insight into the lives and times of the men who fought and won Texas' independence from Mexico.
Chappell Hill Historical Society
Chappell Hill Historical Society is proud to own and maintain several historic properties throughout the “downtown” Chappell Hill area including the Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum, Providence Baptist Church, Rock Store, Circulating Library and a gazebo at the Circulating Library.
Boonville Heritage Park
Boonville Heritage Park is the last preserved remnant of the town of Boonville, the original county seat of Brazos County. Occupying 11.29 acres, the park is home to the Turner-Peters log house, an original 1856 structure furnished with 19th century pieces that were typical to the Texas frontier.
Camp Hearne
Camp Hearne was a WWII Prinsoner-of-War Camp located north of Hearne. Today’s historic camp site has many building foundations that outline the camp’s original “footprint” as well as remnants of various “prisoner" built amenities such as garden fountains and a stadium-seating theater with orchestra pit.
Explore the Museum Trail of the Brazos Valley: 2023 Drawing Rules
No Purchase Necessary. Void Where Prohibited.
Eligibility: The Drawing is open to legal residents of the United States. To be eligible to receive any prize, the winner must be at least 18 years of age. If a winner is less than 18 years of age or is a minor in his/her state or place of residence, the prize will be awarded in the name of a parent or legal guardian. The Drawing is not open to members of the Brazos Valley Museum Collective (herein referred to as BVMC) Executive Committee and their immediate family members (spouses/partners, siblings, parents, and children). The Drawing runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drawing Details: Drawings will be conducted one or more times during the summer months (from Memorial Day to one week after Labor Day). Prizes will vary with each Drawing.
How to Enter and Win: Complete the on-line survey at any six (6) participating destinations. To be eligible for this year's drawing, the last day to complete a survey at a participating location is Monday Sept. 4, 2023.
Winner and Prize: Winners will be notified by email and phone. BVMC is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, or illegible entries. All entries become the property of the BVMC and will not be returned. Failure to respond to prize notification within seven (7) days or the return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable may result in the awarding of the prize to an alternate winner in a random Drawing. Winners will be notified of the value of the prize. If applicable, all taxes on winnings are the Winner’s responsibility.
Prize Distribution: The Prize may be picked up within thirty (30) business days following the Drawing. The Winner will be required to sign an acknowledgement of these Rules as a condition of receiving the prize. A social media post recognizing the Winner may be shared by BVMC member organizations.
Miscellaneous: By participating in this Drawing, all entrants agree to release the BVMC, its member organizations, and staff thereof, from any and all liability for any loss, harm, damages, costs or expenses, including without limitation property damages, personal injury and/or death, arising out of participating in this Drawing, or the awarding, acceptance, possession, use or museums of any prize awarded, or while preparing for, participating in and/or traveling to or from any prize-related activity and claims based on rights of publicity, rights of privacy, defamation or prize delivery. Entrants waive all rights to punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees. BVMC is not responsible for any merchandise defects or malfunctions. By entering the Drawing, participants agree to be bound by these Rules.
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