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.
![](https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f13a591eaf32938a96b67004c4f09628 320w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5ca0a4cf0389f67be2ec28d6d7d34f67 540w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8b77abbdd936f9d35b45609ae5e0ab77 768w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0210e24a10e29a217e48f013f27c5ac5 1024w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=adbe9377779343fe3c65cfd0d5626dde 1200w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=309c2e84cc7f62f135b2b7a5e94a681c 1440w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ae6ff0027a421882531971c2ac61d001 1920w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/1E2292DD-3706-4ABE-9739-C3531CEA9B6B.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4397076324ae177f297a34956e713948 2048w)
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](https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0461807e94e426ae431968e80496308e 320w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=57593bc421e764dabfbf0c5709f8a006 540w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=278859a611e3dd632444638b3f7e7dc3 768w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4f63acd4c56b3d4bde8cd6aaf4aca95a 1024w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6f9a1b1748cd2a4519f451805eb94805 1200w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=318118f3adfcdac62b311b5a2f01344a 1440w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=69c0933f99faba5784529053fe4b5b17 1920w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=c3d67d4dc456bac4d6ef646cda8e99de 2560w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/BVAAM-19-1-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5800a9fa3e5432ae49e77034307ea709 3840w)
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.
![](https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f502624b8cc5377d6b83981a3bb3c87d 320w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=52eef735bfa642a234bdab6716013ce1 540w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7d42ba581a824e5f141f9a294ade4a26 768w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6918f1111200e66eff00c1a246ed415f 1024w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=db9823a09e982be1d21bbed1e9c7884b 1200w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=293463c3a09ce31869e2718ae4924e39 1440w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=cecd802ebbbd703907c5efaad5049903 1920w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=df6cc6f772f16699a3717248b1f729bc 2560w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-119-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=b0d8e792595cc7ca7bb3c291038b9d6f 3840w)
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.
![](https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4b080c173775f192262cd63cd2a99649 320w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c7357f336aa53dc403bc631b37c699a0 540w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a8b50d38940f8abe1adc948466e0eb4a 768w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=ef1a6388b76bb75359c9eb4ab055a65c 1024w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c39ee2249fb02e3a14af16037c85d1fa 1200w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=17a7156f83e5183b7de9e8b6ef9d37c9 1440w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9b9cc01971f426b894db4cd487764321 1920w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=5f02f7fd4c0c20196deb80a1f0be2f2d 2560w, https://destination-bryan.imgix.net/images/Carnegie-070-small.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=363b46ce858f856598e32165c7073b8e 3840w)
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.
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500 East Pruitt Street Bryan, Texas 77803
111 South Main Street Bryan, Texas 77803 (979) 209-5630 Website
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500 East Pruitt Street Bryan, Texas 77803
111 South Main Street Bryan, Texas 77803 (979) 209-5630 Website