SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBIT OPENING SOON IN BRENHAM; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Brenham and Washington County will soon welcome the public to a national traveling exhibit hosted by the Smithsonian.
The free exhibit, titled “Crossroads: Change in Rural America”, explores how life in rural communities has evolved across the country. It will open next Saturday, December 7th and remain open through Sunday, January 19, 2025 at The Barnhill Center’s Morriss Hall.
As part of the Smithsonian program, Visit Brenham has developed three local exhibits at Belle’s Alley near Toubin Park in downtown Brenham, Jerry Wilson Park and The Barnhill Center.
The exhibit at Belle’s Alley tells the story of the numerous Freedom Colonies established in Washington County after the Civil War.
The exhibit at Jerry Wilson Park, the Camptown Soundwalk Experience, focuses on the earliest Freedom Colony in Washington County and includes a tour with sounds and stories of the area.
The exhibit at The Barnhill Center, A Century of Simon, showcases the long and colorful history of the Simon Theatre.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies will be held on December 7th for all of the exhibits, including at 9 a.m. at Jerry Wilson Park, 9:30 a.m. at Belle’s Alley, and 10 a.m. at The Barnhill Center. The Smithsonian and Simon exhibits will officially open that day and have extended hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Regular hours for the Smithsonian and Simon exhibits are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Volunteers are needed at the Smithsonian and Simon exhibits to welcome visitors, answer questions, manage check-ins and ensure the exhibits are properly opened and closed each day. Multiple shifts are available each day, but a training session is required.
Volunteers can register by going to https://visitbrenhamtexas.com/volunteer or contacting Elayne Grisbee at 979-337-7585 or egrisbee@visitbrenhamtexas.com.
More details on each of the exhibits can be found at https://visitbrenhamtexas.com/smithsonian.
(photos courtesy Visit Brenham)
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