Discovering Black History In Bryan, Texas At The Brazos Valley African American Museum & Carnegie History Center

In Bryan, Texas, the legendary stories of the African Americans who helped shape our community are critical to understanding how we became the vibrant & diverse city we are today.

You can immerse yourself in these stories at The Brazos Valley African American Museum, and explore your own heritage at the Carnegie History Center. Keep scrolling to read more about discovering Black History in Bryan.

Brazos Valley African American Museum

The Brazos Valley African American Museum is located at 500 East Pruitt Street in an area historically known as Freedman Town. The Bryan School For Colored Youth was established at the site in 1885, but was later destroyed in a fire. Washington Elementary was then built on the site, but was again burned in 1971. It was not until that year that, finally, Black students were integrated into the Bryan public school system.

Today, the Brazos Valley African American Museum serves as the official repository of artifacts, oral history, media reports, and other important historical source material for the African Americans who settled and lived in the Brazos Valley of Texas.

With the mission to explore, develop, preserve and present the cultural history and heritage of African Americans, this museum reflects the rich diversity of the historical and cultural legacy, of African Americans in Bryan-College Station and surrounding areas.

The African American Museum opened its doors on July 22, 2006.

At the museum take the time to learn about deeply-rooted Black history in Bryan, Texas with influential stories of Bryan's African American educators, doctors, business owners, political officials, and families that worked to transform the Brazos Valley into the prosperous community it is today.

The stories represented range from the enslaved people brought to our area in the 1800s and the tragedies they were dealt & overcame, to Civil Rights heroes past & present, as well as everyday citizens of the Brazos Valley who left their mark on our community.

These stories are told through permanent & rotating exhibitions featuring artifacts, first-hand accounts, and artwork from those various time periods, as well as contemporary Black artists. Stop by to see & learn from these emotional, touching, and informative displays today.

a detailed sketch of a man at the Brazos Valley African American Museum
A mural of Frederick Douglas drawn by local artist John Marcella Grant at the BVAAM.

Visiting & Admission

Museum Hours:

Sunday-Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 12:00PM to 4:00PM
*School & Group Tours can be scheduled between 10:00AM-12:00PM by calling the Museum at 979-775-3961*

Entry Fee:

Adult: $5
Senior Citizens: $4.00
Students: $2.00
Children 5 and under: Free
Groups of 8 or more: $3.00

Alongside the historical exhibits at The Brazos Valley African American Museum, you can research African American history & personal genealogy at The Carnegie History Center. Scroll below to learn more.

Carnegie History Center

Located on Main Street in Historical Downtown Bryan, the Carnegie History Center is a hub for research, local history, and genealogy at no cost. As part of the Bryan-College Station Public Library System, the Carnegie's main mission is to preserve and protect our local history; and to stimulate understanding of our historical and cultural resources.

The Carnegie History Center first opened to the public in Bryan, Texas in 1903.

On the stacked shelves of Carnegie you'll find books featuring African American photography, literature, narratives, and so much more. Historical documents, some dating back to the 1800s reveal both the extreme hardships and ground-breaking accomplishments of African Americans in Texas and the Brazos Valley. While these resources highlight the despondent moments of Black history, they also showcase the hope & light that prevailed.

Books like "Big Mama Didn't Shop at Woolworth's," tell stories of the fight for racial justice in Bryan.
Whether you're from Georgia, Ireland, Indonesia, or Texas you can find genealogical resources at the Carnegie. You can discover your heritage here.

In addition archives and publications dedicated to Black history, the Carnegie also offers an ample collection of resources and guides for those looking to study the genealogy and lineage of their family.

Rachael Altman, Branch Manager of Carnegie History Center speaks on the expansive genealogy resources available, "You don't have to be from this area to find history and records. Whether you're from Georgia, Ireland, Indonesia, or Texas you can find genealogical resources at the Carnegie. You can discover your heritage here."

The Bryan-College Station Public Library System also features an online search database for searching through a wide range of mediums. Visit the Carnegie History Center Monday-Friday 10:00AM-5:00PM.

Alex Beckman

Author

Alex Beckman

Content Coordinator: Alex is the Content Coordinator for Destination Bryan. She strives to capture the tales of local legends that are often just as tall and wide as our great Lone Star State. When not behind the camera, Alex can be found enjoying local brews and chews with her pup Viola.

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