Texas Now Magazine June 2015 | Page 15

Opening this month in Galveston, the Bryan Museum will offer visitors a gateway to travel back in time to experience the history and art of the American Southwest. The museum’s collection of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork was assembled over a lifetime by Mary Jon and J.P. Bryan, spanning more than 2,500 years of history with over 70,000 items. You’ll see amazing treasures which range from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern 21st century pieces - all under one roof. The collection includes The Texas Coast’s Best Regional Magazine rare documents in German, French, Spanish and English, exquisite saddles and spurs, antique firearms, rare books, fine art, religious art, folk art, portraits, exceedingly rare maps, and more! And if this wasn’t enough, the building which houses the museum is a lesson in history itself. Formerly known as the Galveston Children’s Home, the beautiful brick landmark, located at 1315 21st Street, sits in the heart of historic Galveston Island. For nearly one hundred years, it served as an orphanage and now as a ✯ texas now & THE ARTS TAGE, EVENTS, HERI sanctuary for the history of the Southwestern United States. The 1895 structure, originally designed by renowned German architect, Alfred Muller, displayed a Gothic Revival style; perhaps to accomplish the intended purpose described in the Galveston Daily News: “the object is to create a religious and still homelike impression upon the youthful mind.” Fortunate to find protection under the sturdy cypress beams, the children within survived the devastation of the 1900 Storm while many others on the island did not. 15