Art Galleries & Museums
Learn about local history and experience the arts at these museums and art galleries in Bryan, TX.
Museums
Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
Step inside this science, nature, and cultural history museum where Ice Age mammals, Texas history, and dinosaurs take center stage. Exhibits range from hands-on experiences in the Discovery Room with live animals, local freshwater fish, puzzles, and an observation beehive to a dinosaur hall featuring a rare nodosaur fossil replica. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits and year-round events, and features the 40-foot Brazos Spring Mural by Emma Stark, which imagines a spring afternoon in the Brazos Valley during the Pleistocene era roughly 12,500 years ago.
Brazos Valley African American Museum
Founded by retired educator, Mrs. Mell Pruitt, the Brazos Valley African American Museum is the first museum in the area dedicated to preserving African American history in the Brazos Valley. The museum collects and protects artifacts, oral histories, and documents that tell the stories of Black families who lived here. Both permanent and rotating exhibits bring these stories to life, with special programming during Black History Month in February and Juneteenth celebrations in June.
Boonville Heritage Park
Discover where Brazos County began at this historic site preserving the remains of Boonville, the area's first county seat before Bryan existed. Created in 2015, the park maintains what's left of the old town including several historic buildings, a cemetery, statues, and interpretive signs that explain the area's early development. The site comes alive during annual events like Wildflower Day and Boonville Day, when the community gathers to celebrate local heritage.
George Bush Presidential Library & Museum
Take a deep dive into President George Bush's life and presidency at this museum covering U.S. history since 1941. The collections include major artifacts like a WWII Avenger Torpedo Bomber, a 1947 Studebaker, and a piece of the Berlin Wall, plus detailed replicas of Camp David, the Situation Room, and the Oval Office. You can also learn about First Lady Barbara Bush's advocacy work on literacy, AIDS awareness, and volunteerism in a dedicated section.
Carnegie History Center
Research local history and genealogy at the Carnegie History Center. The center maintains extensive archives, artifacts, and special collections focused on Brazos Valley history including the Genealogy Collection. Whether you're just beginning to trace your family tree or you've been researching for years, the knowledgeable staff can point you toward the materials and records you may need to continue your research.
Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center
Learn about the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets at this museum showcasing the organization's evolution from 1876 to present day. The collection includes thousands of Aggie artifacts that illustrate Texas A&M traditions and history, plus a research library with over 3,000 volumes on military research and leadership. The center also houses the Metzger-Sanders Antique Firearm Collection for those interested in historical weaponry.
Museum of the American GI
Experience American military history through exhibits covering different wars and branches of service, from WWI and WWII posters to uniforms worn by the men and women who served. One of the museum's standout features is its collection of fully restored military vehicles that still run and operate. The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit offers a particularly moving tribute with hand-embossed dog tags commemorating every Texan who died or went missing during the Vietnam War.
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park
Honor local veterans at this outdoor memorial where life-sized statues, a Wall of Honor, and interpretive panels create a meaningful tribute. The half-mile Lynn Stuart Pathway connects 18 memorial sites throughout the park, each marked with granite markers and benches for reflection. Artist J. Payne Lara sculpted most of the bronze statues that anchor these sites, making the walk both a historical journey and an outdoor art experience.
Cushing Memorial Library and Archives
Explore one of the world's largest science fiction and fantasy research collections at Texas A&M's Cushing Memorial Library. The first floor displays George R.R. Martin's archival collections alongside replicas of swords used in Game of Thrones, plus other sci-fi artifacts that fans will recognize. The second floor rotates through different exhibits throughout the year.
Art Galleries
DEGALLERY
Discover work from national and international artists at this gallery featuring a collection by Aleksander Gorelov alongside rotating exhibitions. The gallery goes beyond just displaying art by offering classes for adults and kids in various mediums and workshops ranging from traditional painting to unexpected topics like bug pinning, and social paint-and-sip events. DEGALLERY also hosts First Saturdays bringing the community together with live music, hands-on activities for kids, vendor booths, and artist demonstrations.
The Frame Gallery
As the birthplace of Downtown Bryan's First Friday art events (launched in 2005), The Frame Gallery continues to champion the local art community by giving artists a place to show and sell their work. Admire works from more than 50 local artists and get expert custom framing at this Brazos Valley fixture that's been specializing in archival preservation techniques since 1992.
Intersections Textile Learning Center & Gallery
Browse unique textiles and fiber arts at the guild house of the Brazos Spinners & Weavers Guild. The artists who make the work you see also teach workshops and classes at Intersections, sharing their skills in weaving, spinning, and other fiber techniques. You'll often find them giving demonstrations at community events like First Friday and Boonville Days, making this gallery a living connection to the textile arts community.
The Kimbell Cultural Arts Center
Watch films, plays, and cultural performances at this Historic Downtown Bryan venue that combines an art gallery with a flexible performance space. The center programs a variety of events throughout the year, bringing together different forms of artistic expression under one roof. Check our event calendar to see what films are screening or which performances are coming up.
The Parker-Astin
Explore this creative hub where artist studios, a gallery, and event spaces come together in one building. Artists rent studio space here to develop their work, while the gallery showcases finished pieces and the event spaces host gatherings and shows.