P.O. BOXES EXHIBIT VISITS BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM

  

Post office boxes typically only hold bills, circulars or magazines, but an exhibit-in-progress at the Brenham Heritage Museum offers history and imagination.

An exhibit of 120 small boxes and eight large drawers will be one of the centerpieces in the museum, and will be in the front lobby when the old Post Office at 105 South Market Street reopens in 2022.

Each of the post office boxes contains a form of historical display or memento, with some including micro dioramas of downtown Brenham buildings.  Others will display a toy, telegram or photograph with local ties, and still others will trigger music, voice recordings or videos.

Work on the exhibit is being led by Alan Krathaus of Core Design Studio, and in early 2021 the Texas Historical Foundation made a grant toward construction of the exhibit.  Brenham Heritage Museum’s Interim Executive Director Mike Vance said the goal is to “include a liberal helping of homage to the place that was a community heartbeat, a spot to touch the wider world and to catch up on local gossip.”

The public has an opportunity to see a preview of the exhibit before it returns to the design warehouse for completion by becoming a member of the museum and attending its annual meeting in November.  Memberships can be obtained by visiting the museum office at 310 East Main Street or going online to www.brenhamheritagemuseum.org.

The meeting will also feature a history talk on German Immigration to Texas by Dr. Walter Kamphoefner of Texas A&M.  Only current members may attend the annual meeting.

Construction at the historic post office building has been continuous since the start of June.  Bullock Construction of Brenham is the general contractor, while Elizabeth Price of Upchurch Architects is overseeing the construction and updating of the building.

A capital campaign for the project is underway, and the museum is seeking both corporate and individual partners.  Naming rights are available.

To learn more, or to donate, visit the website or email director@brenhamheritagemuseum.org.