Brazos County Historical Commission

09/06/2026

Of the 32 Carnegie libraries built in Texas at the turn of the 20th century, only 13 original buildings are still standing.

In the late 1800s, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, once the world’s richest man, began giving out grants, part of a philanthropic mission he wrote about in his essay “The Gospel of Wealth.” He funded church organs, exhibition halls, swimming pools, and gymnasiums, but the bulk of his philanthropy went into libraries.

In the United States, his grants built 1,681 public libraries, including 32 in Texas. Today, only 13 of the Carnegie library buildings in Texas remain, and only four—in Ballinger, Franklin, Jefferson, and Stamford—still function as libraries. The rest have been repurposed into museums, event facilities, history centers, and office buildings.

Tyler’s library, built in 1904, has been home to the Smith County Historical Society for more than 40 years. Gainesville’s library, opened in 1914, has housed the Butterfield Stage Players since 1979.

Web Editor Sarah Thurmond visited the Carnegie History Center in downtown Bryan, the oldest existing Carnegie library in the state. Read her story here: https://texashighways.com/culture/inside-the-oldest-remaining-carnegie-library-in-texas/

08/21/2026

Congratulations to this 2025 Texas Treasure Business Award honoree!

We are honored to express our sincere gratitude to our valued customers and community for their ongoing support, as we mark the 24th consecutive year of being recognized as Best of the Brazos Valley.

08/18/2026

Looking for your next great read? Fresh titles have landed in our bookstore; we've got shelves full of books, and they're ready to head home with you!

Swing by the Museum of the American G.I. during regular hours:
📚 Wednesday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
📚 Sunday: 12:00–5:00 p.m.

Your next favorite book is waiting!

08/11/2026

Another successful meeting of the Brazos County Historical Commission!

08/06/2026

Marker of the Month: Villa Maria Ursuline Academy

Marker text: The Ursuline Sisters, founded by St. Angela in Italy in 1535, opened their first girls' school in North America in Quebec in 1639. In 1727, they opened the Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, followed in 1847 with the Ursuline Academy in Galveston. In addition to teaching, the nuns served as nurses during epidemics, hurricanes, fires and the Civil War. Their Galveston Academy building served as a refugee shelter despite heavy damages sustained in the devastating 1900 storm.

Seeking a new school site further inland, Mother Superior Mary Joseph Dallmer selected Bryan over several other cities. With donations from Bryan citizens, the sisters purchased land from W.R. and Mary (Mitchell) Cavitt and began plans for Villa Maria Ursuline Academy at this site, which became known as St. Ursula's Hill. Contractor George Jenkins built a school and dormitory using a Nicholas Clayton design. The school opened in September 1901, but construction continued until October 21, St. Ursula's feast day. Girls at the academy studied traditional subjects, as well as sports and music, and maintained a large farm. The sisters worked closely with St. Joseph's Catholic Church and School, where they also taught.

Facing low enrollment and burdened by the debt of costly building repairs, Villa Maria Ursuline Academy closed in 1929. Former U.S. Consul General Williamson S. Howell, Jr. bought the property and built a 24-room house using bricks from the school. The few graves of Ursuline nuns on the property were removed to Galveston, where the school resumed operations. Howell later sold to Allen Academy, which retained ownership until 1973. Today, nearby street names reflect the impact of both the academy and Howell.

Marker is located at the intersection of Osborn Lane and Ursuline Avenue

07/29/2026

The Brazos Valley African American Museum is turning 25, and you're invited to celebrate! Stop by for cupcakes, punch, food, and fun as we mark this special milestone together. Come honor a quarter-century of preserving and sharing our community's history—we'd love to see you there!

📍 500 E Pruitt St,
Bryan, TX 77803
🗓️ Friday, July 31 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

07/22/2026

How do you hide a ship during wartime? Join us this weekend to discover the creative razzle-dazzle camouflage of WWI. We will be at Mounce Library on Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 AM and Ringer Library on Sunday, July 26, at 3 PM.

Bryan College Station Public Library System

07/09/2026

Marker of the Month: Alexander Cemetery

Marker text: There was a schoolhouse near this site in 1854 when, according to tradition, the first interment was made here. That early grave, for a child by the name of Whitley, had no marker and has been lost. This land was part of a one-league headright grant made on Oct. 15, 1832, by Mexico to George W. Singleton, who had come to Texas with the “Old 300” settlers of Stephen F. Austin. Two of Singleton’s heirs, living in Washington County, on Oct. 2, 1856, deeded ten acres from the grant for the use and benefit of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Alexander Church building was then erected near the school, and burials were continued in the area. The earliest identifiable grave is that of one of the original trustees of the property, James Walker (1817-74). William Lawrence, another of the first trustees, was also buried here, in 1879. The Alexander Cemetery Association was formed in 1941, with A.J. McCallum as President and L.T. Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer. Joe B. Walker, Wilson’s successor, has served the association for 27 years. The association installed the chain link fence and water supply system. There are about 300 marked graves, and the cemetery is still open to burials.

Marker location: From the intersection of SH 6 and FM 974 (North Bryan) take FM 974 north approximately 5.3 miles to Alexander Rd.; then NW on Alexander Rd. approximately .9 mile to Alexander Cemetery Rd., then on Cemetery Road approximately .1 mile to cemetery.

07/04/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying this special day! There is still a lot going on this evening. Here is one. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

07/04/2026

Happening tomorrow at Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial!

🇺🇸 Celebrate America's 250th Birthday Close to Home! 🇺🇸

If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Independence Day in the Brazos Valley, we encourage you to attend the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial's Independence Day Signing at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex in College Station.

Hear the words that gave birth to a nation founded on the timeless principles of liberty, freedom, and self-government. Following the public reading of the Declaration of Independence, 56 local patriots will sign a special facsimile of the Declaration to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

This inspiring community ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our nation's founding and honor the freedoms we enjoy today.

The Museum of the American G.I. is honored to have been invited to participate in this special event, and we hope you'll consider joining the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial as they commemorate America 250.

Our sincere thanks to the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial for organizing this meaningful celebration and for including us in the day's events.

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙