BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM RECEIVES LARGE MATCHING GIFT FOR SPORTS EXHIBIT

  

An upcoming permanent exhibit at the Brenham Heritage Museum about Washington County’s sports history has received a significant boost.

The museum announced today (Wednesday) that Brenham native Zach Riffett has agreed to be the title sponsor of the Brenham High School segment of the exhibit.  In addition, donations to the sports exhibit between now and September 30^th will be matched 1-to-1, up to a total of $25,000.

The exhibit will be an interactive display dedicated to all sports history at Brenham, Pickard and Burton High Schools and Blinn College.  Fundraising for the exhibit is ongoing, and preliminary design work has begun.

Riffett, a 2003 graduate of Brenham High School who now works as a financial advisor in Kerrville, said, “The friendships, coaches, and unforgettable moments I shared through BHS sports shaped who I am, and I'm making this donation to honor Brenham High School sports and to motivate future BHS athletes to create their own lifelong bonds and memories.”

Ciera Harris, interim executive director at the museum, said people are passionate about telling the stories of Brenham and Washington County.  She said, “These kinds of donations really allow us to put our museum head and shoulders above what many other museums can offer.” 

Naming rights are still available for nine of the 12 sports exhibit sections, including the spot for the scoreboard sponsor and a “Rub the Cub” statue where locals can wish good luck to the Brenham High School teams.  The museum is also looking for anyone who is willing to donate artifacts that remain areas of need in relation to Washington County sports.  The total budget for the exhibit is $250,000. 

Brenham Heritage Museum historian Mike Vance, who was once the museum’s executive director, is leading the fundraising effort.  Vance said this exhibit will be “one of the centerpieces of the museum” and that, “The people who have stepped up thus far are preserving that important history for generations to come.”

To learn more, or to donate, visit www.brenhamheritagemuseum.org.