BRAZORIA CIVIC CENTER AND MUSEUM :BRAZORIA CIVIC CENTER AND MUSEUM PRESENTED BY THE BRAZORIA HERITAGE FOUNDATION


Slide 2:Because of the generous donations from people like you, the Brazoria Heritage Foundation has been able to make many improvements to the facilities owned by our members. This show will give you an idea of the many changes that have been made. Thank you for your support!


Slide 3:The front of the 1933 building. The windows have been covered and murals will be painted or printed on vinyl to depict Brazoria’s history. This helps with the preservation of museum items as well as temperature control.


Slide 4:The Henry ‘O Tanner Mural The first panel covered was done with a vinyl picture over the window outside the African-American Room. It is a picture of the Henry ‘O Tanner school.


Slide 5:Main Entrance Doors The doors to the front of the building show some of the changes. Here you can see the addition of the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce, the Brazoria Museum, as well as new alarm systems.


Slide 6:Brazoria Chamber of Commerce One of the classrooms was redecorated by the Chamber and is now their proud home.


Slide 7:Museum Sign This sign lets the public know when the museum is open for tours. Museum tours are generally available by appointment. However, the museum is manned most Wednesdays by Shirley Spearow who is eager to share Brazoria’s rich history.


Slide 8:Brazoria Museum The halls and classrooms were converted into display centers for Brazoria’s history to be displayed. This hall represents the many types of tools used in the area.


Slide 9:Brazoria History Room Sponsored by: (open for sponsorship @ $5000) This room of the museum shows different details about Brazoria and what made it into the great town it is today.


Slide 10:School House Room Sponsored by: Did you or someone you know go to Brazoria Elementary School? You can spend some time looking through school pictures to find people you know in this room. Set up to look like a school room, the room pays tribute to the original purpose of the facilities.


Slide 11:Photography Display This display sits in the hall by the auditorium. It shows various types of photography methods used throughout history.


Slide 12:Telephone Room Sponsored by: Brazoria Telephone Company This room exhibits the history of communication in Texas. It includes an old switch board from Brazoria Telephone Company.


Slide 13:Dr. Sophia Herzog Room Sponsored by: Emma Womack and Eulalie Prell This room houses the exhibit of Dr. Herzog and her office. Dr. Herzog was the only woman doctor for the railroad system and was housed in Brazoria.


Slide 14:African-American Room Sponsored by: African-American Community This room is an outstanding exhibit of the contributions made to the Brazoria area by African-Americans. It is the result of the hard work of Berneice Smith, Willie Sanders and many others. It includes many priceless items especially those from the Henry ‘O Tanner School and it’s educators.


Slide 15:Right Hallway This hall exhibits the methods of making and putting together clothing in early Texas.


Slide 16:Environmental Room pt. 1 Sponsored by: Cradle of Texas Conservancy This room is a big hit with the children. It houses animals native to the Brazoria area. The money for this room was made possible by a $10,000 grant from First Choice Power.


Slide 17:Environmental Room pt. 2 The room includes a closet that exhibits the animals that roam the area at night. Visitors view through a window, with the aid of a flashlight, to see the animals. Visitors also get an opportunity to touch and feel some of the animals, make plaster paw prints, make a commemorative cup, or color pictures of animals.


Slide 18:Native Texas Plant Garden This area is part of the Environmental Room Project. It contains plants that are native to this part of Texas. It was developed with the assistance of agriculture specialist.


Slide 19:Auditorium One of the major accomplishments of BHF has been the renovation of the 450 seat auditorium. The auditorium was in very bad shape when BHF took over the facilities. The room now houses many shows, including a play annually by West BAGATOS, movies on the large screen, concerts, comedy shows, pageants, and many others. The facility is also available for rent for conferences and other programs or meetings.


Slide 20:Sound and Lighting Booth Another important part of the renovations to the auditorium was the addition of the sound and light booth. With the priceless help of Jason Thomas, BHF has added a state of the art light and sound combination. Jason provides most of the light and sound work for the shows that allows both small and large groups to be well heard and seen.


Slide 21:Stage Ramp To make the back stage of the auditorium more accessible, a ramp was added to both sides of the door. Large props and other equipment can now be easily put on stage.


Slide 22:Cafeteria With the generous donations from the Brazoria Telephone Company, the cafeteria is continuing to be transformed into a great area for meetings and eating. The building has been repainted to look like it did when the school closed. In addition, new flooring, drapes, and air conditioning have been added. Still to come will be a lowered ceiling and new lighting. Once all the changes have been made, the effects on the sound level will make the cafeteria ideal for meetings, lunches, and parties.


Slide 23:Kitchen One of the treasures left by the school district was the stainless steel kitchen and appliances. The kitchen is big enough to cook for large groups. It has been used for preparing meals such as dinner for the Brazoria Lions Club meetings, cooking the “Bucket Brigade Breakfast”, and many others.


Slide 24:Lion’s Club Building The Brazoria Lion’s Club has taken over the care of the kindergarten building. They have made many repairs to the building and continue to work closely with BHF for the good of the community. The building is used for storage of the medical equipment they provide to those in need as well as storage for the items they receive for the garage sales they hold twice a year.


Slide 25:Inner Sidewalk To make the Civic Center more accessible and safer, a new wooden bridge was added over the drainage ditch. The cover over the sidewalk has also been repaired. In addition, the area is protected by security cameras and lighting. The picture also shows a bench done as an Eagle Scout project.


Slide 26:Conference Center The old library was converted into the Conference Center. The building has a small dance floor, kitchenette, and handicap accessible restrooms. It is available for rent for meetings, parties, and other events. There is also a video projector and sound system available for rent when using the room. Sheila James does an excellent job of providing rental information and bookings.


Slide 27:Gym Although they are not as visible, the gym has also seen many changes. It has a new roof, new fans, and new lighting. In addition, the rooms to the back of the gym have been converted to be used as classrooms and changing rooms.


Slide 28:Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County One of the most exciting additions to the gym has been the Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County. The club welcomes approximately 60 children and provides after school assistance and fun. The children get help with their school work and enjoy the company of others with adult supervision.


Slide 29:Boys & Girls Club Fun The gym gives the children room to play various games in a secure location without interference from the weather.


Slide 30:Gym Rooms The back rooms of the gym are used as comfortable classrooms space for the children as well changing and storage room for West BAGOTOS (the actor’s guild).


Slide 31:Pickle Ball The gym is also being used to play Pickle Ball. Sandra & Ronnie Crow have started using the facilities to teach the exciting game of Pickle Ball. The group has had up to 20 people eager to play and is steadily growing.


Slide 32:Railroad Museum BHF is very proud to have the Brazos Valley Railroad Museum being set up in two rooms of the Principal’s wing. The group has been working extremely hard to prepare the museum as well as repairing other parts of the building. Visitors will be able to enjoy watching trains move along the track that represents the ones in Brazoria County.


Slide 33:Brazosport Medical Center Another important addition to the facilities was the Brazosport Medical Center. BHF offered the group a 99 year contract to provide low cost medical care to the people of Brazoria. There is medical personnel at the facility on Tuesday mornings.


Slide 34:Bricks of Pride The bricks shown are displayed around the flag pole. They have been purchased by sponsors to demonstrate the pride of former students, teachers, and principals of the school. Bricks continue to be available for purchase and engraving.


Slide 35:Badge Building One of BHF’s acquisitions this year has been the old Badge building. With the assistance of Buchanan Movers and Margie Mae Saylers, the building was moved from its previous location to the school grounds to be repaired and displayed.


Slide 36:Historical Displays Also on the grounds are historical items found throughout Brazoria. The outhouse was obtained from a home in “Old Town Brazoria”. The sugar cistern was obtained from the Rodriquez family who go it from the Rippi Plantation. The log cabin was removed from the stage. It had been used as part of many productions held in the auditorium,


Slide 37:What’s Happened Since Last Year? Buildings & Ground Improvements Replaced the roof on the Gymnasium and Principal’s Wing. Painted the interior of the Gym and the Principal’s Wing. Boys & Girls Club began operation in the gym averaging 40 students daily. The Brazos Valley Railroad Museum has renovated two rooms the Principal’s Wing and will be opening Soon. Installed the first mural of the Henry ‘O Tanner School outside the African-American museum room. Brazoria Chamber of Commerce moved their office to the 1933 building. It is a beautiful office! Sherry Shelton is painting the mural “Birth of a Colony” outside the Chamber of Commerce room The Conference Room, Gymnasium, and Auditorium have been rented for various events.


Slide 38:What’s Happened Since Last Year? Community Events West BAGATOS produced their second play, “Anne of Green Gables”. It was well received by the community and a great success for the Actor’s Guild. Held bi-monthly entertainment in the theater for the community. Partnered with the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Christmas in Brazoria. The Heritage Day Celebration and parade in March featuring the Texas A&M University Parson’s Mounted Cavalry and honored the African-American Cowboys of Brazoria County. Honored Veterans and Military families of Brazoria County with the Brazoria Telephone. Local school tours of the museum, environmental room and old movie showings. The No Name Festival has moved to BHF grounds.


Slide 39:What is Yet to Come? The National Methodist Youth Army will use the facilities as home base for two weeks to assist Brazoria residents with home repairs. West BAGOTOS production of “Who Dunnit…and to Whom?” will be presented July 22,23,29,30 at 7:00 and July 31 at 2:00. Brazoria Volunteer Fire Departments annual Fireman’s Carnival to be held on the ground on August 9. Storytelling night with emphasis on ghost stories on October 25. County wide Veteran’s Day Celebration and Parade on November 11. Christmas in Brazoria with Chamber of Commerce, the first weekend of December. Other events as scheduled. Keep an eye on the BHF web site for further information. www.brazoriahf.org Board Meetings 1st Tuesday of each month @ 5:30


Slide 40:Membership Information BHF is proud of the fact that we have over 400 members. To join the great organization, contact Tissie Schwebel at 979-798-6100 or 979-345-3335. Or, you can sign up on line at www.brazoriahf.org . Also, you can send your membership application to Brazoria Heritage Foundation P.O. Box 1728 Brazoria, TX 77422


Slide 41:The Brazoria Heritage Foundation Board of Directors Officers President-Dr. Bob Schwebel Vice-President-Bill James Secretary-Judi Downing Treasurer-Judy Keitel Gifford Board Members Doris Setzer Shirley Spearow Sandra Barnett Bruce Gotcher Sandra Crow Frank Fields Berneice Smith Donnette Autrey Sheila James Gary Gatton Jim Williams


Slide 42:We hope that you are as proud of the facilities as we are. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of the changes. Brazoria Heritage Foundation, Board of Directors