The Early Chamber of Commerce presented a donation of $1000 on Friday to support the newly added Kids’ Zone to the Brown County Museum of History. The exhibit inspires kids to “Get your hands on hometown history. Discover it. Explore it. Treasure it,” according to museum officials. The Kids’ Zone children’s area is located in the Museum Annex and includes a fossil hunt, general store, egg hatching station, hat try-on, scale station, and switchboard. All areas of the exhibit are interactive.
Brown County Museum Board President Beverly Norris stated that the children’s exhibit has been received well.
“We’ve had a great response from children, and even teenagers,” said Norris
Renovation of the Brown County Museum and Annex has been a continuing project over the past few years and many exhibits are being improved or expanded. The old jail building itself, built in 1902, houses exhibits such as the Firearms Museum of Texas, an exhibit on communications with a switchboard and old phones, a mini circus, historical era clothing and there are plans for a law enforcement exhibit, forensics, and “Jail Life and Lore” displays. Old jail cells are also available for viewing in the upper floor.
Plans for the Annex building across the street include featuring an enlarged and comprehensive exhibit of Camp Bowie and the German POW camp from World War II. The Annex houses its extensive collection of Brown County artifacts, including the log cabin and one-room schoolhouse.
This newest exhibit, the Kids’ Zone, is part of a strategy to make history exciting for the youngest generations; its hands-on displays will invite visitors of every age to learn more about Brown County.
The public is encouraged to visit the Brown County Museum at 212 North Broadway and the Museum Annex which is located just across the street from the old jail at 209 North Broadway. There are no entrance fees; however donations are gladly accepted.
The museum is open to visitors during the following times:
Thursday-Friday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Special tours are available, for more information please call 325-641-1926.
Pictured above are Brown County Museum Board members with Early Chamber of Commerce members. Left to right are: (front row) Beverly Norris, Ronald Isom, Myrna Wright, Lisa Callihan, Becky Smith, (back row) Ronnie Lappe, , Merisha Parvis, Donnie Lappe, Larry Bartley, and Wanda Ferguson.
Below are photos of the exhibit. Photos by Emily Hutson.
Early Chamber of Commerce Members Becky Smith, Lisa Callihan and Wanda Ferguson take a look at the exhibit.
