Membership Meeting and Social Held

On September 29, 2011, the Brazos Heritage Society held a meeting at the Matthew Winsper Knobel Memorial Gazebo in Heritage Park in Bryan’s Historic District.  Approximately 30 people attended this informative meeting to learn more about the activities of the Society.

Beverly Myers, Linda Roberts,
& Sheila Fields

After President Nat Hilliard called the meeting to order and introduced members of the Executive Committee, she called on a number of people to provide specific reports.  Sheila Fields, Chair of the Research Committee, discussed progress on securing a Boonville historical marker.  Her report was followed by Glynis Gore, Chair of the Heritage Park Committee, whose presentation was devoted to the status of the master plan for the park. 

In addition, Linda Roberts, the Society’s Secretary, provided an update on the “Victorian Tea of Thanksgiving” scheduled for November 12-13.  Beverly Myers, the Society’s Treasurer, updated those in attendance on the restoration project of the historic Astin clothing collection.

Glynis Gore & Roland Searcy

Tom McDonald gave a report on the work of the restoration of the Queen Theatre.  The crown is in place now and is fully operational and a special lighting ceremony will be held on the evening of October 7, the first day of the Texas Reds Festival.  Following his presentation, Treasurer Beverly Myers presented Tom with a check for $1,000.00 for the Save the Queen project on behalf of the Society.  Additional information about this project may be found at the following link: http://downtownbryan.com/.

Henry Mayo urged those in attendance to come out for the 6th Annual Boonville Days – Living History Fair on October 1 at the Brazos Center.  Additional information about this event may be found at the website of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, accessible at: http://www.brazosvalleymuseum.org/.

Tom McDonald & Henry Mayo

Prior to adjourning the meeting, President Hilliard announced that on December 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, the Society would host a Christmas Stroll.  Additional information about this event would be forthcoming.  In addition, members were encouraged to sign up to assist with the Victorian Tea and Christmas Stroll.

Following the meeting, those in attendance gathered in the gazebo to enjoy a selection of delicious refreshments, to become better acquainted with one another, and to learn more about the work of the Society and the history of Brazos County.   

Exploring History Lunch Lecture Series

On the third Wednesday of the month from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the Senior Advisory Committee invite speakers to come to the College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Drive, to share their knowledge of local history with members of the community. A light luncheon is served for $5.00 per person. The programs are videotaped and broadcast weekly on CSTV-19.  

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 979-764-3491 or by emailing Anne Boykin, Heritage Programs Coordinator, at aboykin@cstx.gov.

The programs for the remainder of the year include:

Wednesday, September 21: “A Short History of the Laws and Legal Community of Brazos Valley” with The Honorable W.T. McDonald, Jr.  No one tells it like Judge McDonald – legal eagle, cattleman, historian.  This luncheon sponsored by Crestview Home Health Services.

Wednesday, October 19: “Allenfarm,” with Bill Terrell, the fourth generation to operate this working farm.  This luncheon sponsored by City of College Station Senior Services.

Wednesday, November 16: “Unique Brazos Valley Architecture,” with Jim Singleton, a well-known architect who will provide a bird’s eye view of places you may have missed.  Luncheon sponsored by Linda and Russ Harvell of Texas Trading Post.

Membership Meeting Scheduled

The Brazos Heritage Society will hold a membership meeting on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at 7:00 PM, at the Matthew Winsper Knobel Memorial Gazebo in Heritage Park, 600 South Hutchins Street, in the Historic District of Bryan, Texas.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide members and prospective members an update on the activities of the Society, including information on the master plan for Heritage Park and the historical marker for Boonville.

Please bring a chair for seating.

If anyone is musically inclined and would like to furnish some entertainment, please plan on doing so.

Refreshments will be served.  Plan to attend and enjoy visiting with other members.  If you have friends who are interested in the work of the Society, please invite them to attend.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 27, 2011, by calling Beverly Myers at 979-823-6824 or 979-229-9414; you may also email her at mycobra@suddenlink.net.