Brown County Museum Hosts Appreciation Reception

The Brown County Museum of History board of director gathered Friday afternoon to recognize many organizations and civic groups that have helped in the revitalization campaign of the Brown County Museum and Annex. Members of the Brownwood City Council, Brown County Commissioners, Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Early Chamber of Commerce were given certificates of appreciation.

Brown County Museum Board President Beverly Norris recounted a conversation a visitor who recently came through the museum had with his son.

“This is why I brought you here. These are the men that liberated my hometown in France,” said the man with a foreign accent to his son, speaking of the 36th Division, who were in Brownwood during World War II and featured in the Camp Bowie exhibits. “It’s important that we remember.”

Norris recounted that he spoke of the importance of museums.

“I agree, I think a part of the mission of the museum is to keep these memories alive. It is good for the community to remember these events, the pioneers, early business and commerce of early Brown County – all of this plays a part,” said Norris. “History is not just 1880s and 1945, it’s every day. It’s our charge to keep the museum dynamic and moving forward to absorb all that history. You know one day, people are going to be walking through here looking at the ancient artifacts from 2012.”

Norris stated that 2012 has been a wonderful year for the museum and that is why the reception was being held, to honor those who were a part in making it, the revitalization, happen.

“Speaking of 2012, it’s been a wonderful year at the museum,” Norris said. “We are here to thank you because you are all a part of making it happen. We have a real exciting, dynamic board which started a revitalization program.”

Norris outlined some accomplishments and goals of the Museum:

Establishment of the first ever children’s museum in Brown County
2700 visitors in the past 12 months, 675 which were from out of town
Plans to upgrade the World War II Camp Bowie exhibits and move the Camp Bowie mural to the museum (more people would get to see it)
Improving preservation be developing better storage, archival and display of the aging memorabilia
Development of the Law Enforcement theme of the Jail museum building: The iconic building often referred to as the “castle” would feature firearms exhibits and a forensic room. Currently exhibited is the Bullets, Badges and Bad Men which tells the history of how these guns brought law and order to Brown County. In December, Norris stated that Phase I of the forensic room will be installed in the museum. This exhibit will feature a 1902 era crime scene, with different break out exhibits on how forensic science applies to that.
BISD: Plans to coordinate exhibits that will heighten the field trip experience for students while helping teachers to use field trips to meet curriculum needs.

Norris noted that the museum keeps record of local history but is also important to commerce in the area.

“So the museum is good for the people here, the kids here, to not forget our rich history; but it is also good for tourism, in bringing people here,” Norris said. “We are a part of the face of Brownwood and we want it to be the best face possible.”

Pictured at top are (left to right) Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, City Manager Bobby Rountree, Councilmen Eddie Watson and Jerry DeHay.

Below are more photos of those recognized at the event.