Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Coming to Brenham

In Texas, Museum on Main Street (MoMS) is a special partnership of the Smithsonian Institution and Texas Historical Commission (THC) that serves the small-town museums and citizens of rural America. Brenham was chosen as 1 of 7 towns in Texas to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America. This exhibit offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. The exhibit prompts discussions about what happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population, and the ripple effects that occurred.

This exhibit will be shown in Brenham in Morriss Hall at The Barnhill Center (106 South Douglas Street) from December 7, 2024 – January 19, 2025, and will be open 7 days a week. Hours can be found here!

Local Exhibits

Along with the main attraction of the Smithsonian exhibit, visitors can enjoy local exhibits, immersive experiences, and activities that highlight the unique history and culture of Washington County!

Brenham Heritage Museum, Downtown Brenham

Belle’s Alley

208 South Park Street, Brenham, TX 77833

Just steps away from Toubin Park in Downtown Brenham is Belle’s Alley. This new, permanent exhibit was created for everyone to learn about the undertold story of the numerous Freedom Colonies that were established in Washington County between 1865-1930 by the formerly enslaved. These colonies took root during a volatile time of our history and became places where Blacks could feel safe, develop a sense of community, and begin living their lives as freedmen. An interactive scavenger hunt is also created for this exhibit. This exhibit is open to the public at all hours!

Camptown Soundwalk Experience

Starts in Jerry Wilson Park at 900 E. Alamo Street, Brenham, TX 77833

The second Freedom Colonies Exhibit is the Camptown Soundwalk Experience, located in Camptown east of Downtown Brenham. Did you know that Camptown was named because it was the original site where Federal troops were stationed in Brenham during Reconstruction, and that more than 70 businesses called Camptown home? The Camptown Soundwalk Experience includes 7 stops along a walking path through this historic community, with panels sharing historical information at each with QR Codes to an immersive audio tour that incorporates stories, and sounds, to take you back into the history of each stop. This is a new, permanent exhibit that is open to the public at all hours!

Century of the Simon Exhibit

The Barnhill Center – 106 South Douglas Street, Brenham, TX 77833

A Century of Simon Exhibit, Downtown Brenham

A Century of Simon Exhibit takes visitors on an interactive journey through the long colorful history of the Simon Theatre. The experience starts in 1881 when the Simon family entered the entertainment business in Brenham, which led them to build and operate the Simon.

The history takes visitor through the Simon’s early vaudeville days, Hollywood’s Golden Era, movie trends and censorship, the Great Depression, WWII, and its eventual decline, as with most other American downtown districts. Finally, the Simon’s Great Revival story is told, which restored the magnificent building and began its current robust operation. Personal stories are shared from those who attended during all eras. Visitors are invited to take photos in front of an authentic vaudeville stage backdrop, and possibly leave their own memories and stories.

Introducing: Washington County Soundwalk Experience

Like the Camptown Soundwalk Experience developed for the new permanent local exhibit in Brenham, an immersive audio tour encourages visitors to listen to stories of important sites in Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence and at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On these walking tours at each location, visitors can scan QR codes to listen to each Soundwalk. This gives each community another opportunity to share the stories that are part of what made them what they are today.

All these Soundwalks will be introduced and available for your listening enjoyment by the opening of the Smithsonian on December 7, and we’re grateful to those in each community who have worked to help put this experience together!

Activities & Experiences

One man herding a longhorn and the other man is behind them walking. Two small, historic home are in the background with lots of trees and greenery. Washington-on-the-Brazos. — Washington-on-the-Brazos, Washington

In addition to the exhibits and soundwalks, we have created a variety of of activities for you to enjoy! For nature and history lovers, explore beautiful Washington County and find the numerous historical markers we have by using our Historical Markers Guide. For art lovers, finding our many murals throughout Downtown Brenham can be easy with our Mural Map. Don’t forget that Brenham is also a wonderful place to shop, eat and explore. Bring the family, have a girls trip, or even a romantic getaway, but definitely plan to stay because there really is something for everyone!