Brazos Valley African American Museum
The Brazos Valley African American Museum was built on the site of one of the original Black schools in Bryan, Texas. It was the brain child of retired educator, Mrs. Mell Pruitt, and is the first establishment of its kind to promote the history of African American citizens in the Brazos Valley. Bryan is proud to be home to one of only a handful of museums in Texas dedicated to preserving African American history for future generations.
Brazos Valley African American Museum
The Brazos Valley African American Museum was built on the site of one of the original Black schools in Bryan, Texas. It was the brain child of retired educator, Mrs. Mell Pruitt, and is the first establishment of its kind to promote the history of African American citizens in the Brazos Valley. Bryan is proud to be home to one of only a handful of museums in Texas dedicated to preserving African American history for future generations.
Keep scrolling & watch the video below to hear the full story behind this incredible museum from the Interim Director, Barry Davis, with archival footage from the late Oliver Wayne Sadberry Jr.
Press The Play Button Below
To Hear The Full Story From The Museum's Late Director, Oliver Wayne Sadberry Jr, And Interim Director, Barry Davis.
When you think about the story of Bryan... on this particular land, this is where people of color were allowed to live & flourish.Barry DavisBrazos Valley African American Museum
The Brazos Valley African American Museum aims to preserve the often overlooked Black history of the Brazos Valley, while carefully cultivating stories from across the area to pass down to future generations. The museum itself sits on the site of one of the first Black schools in the Brazos Valley, and is a recognized Texas Historical Landmark.
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.
The museum features rotating & permanent exhibits telling the stories of African Americans from across the Brazos Valley & beyond, and hosts special events during Black History Month (February), and celebrates Juneteenth each June.
The Brazos Valley African American Museum is located at 500 E Pruitt Street in Bryan, Texas. Learn more & plan your visit at bvaam.org