Alvin Historical Museum

"Quilts on Parade"

2011-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Alvin Historical Museum is hosting a new, temporary exhibit, "Quilts on Parade." Displayed are quilts of many ages, sizes and patterns. Quilt-related items are included, also.

The museum is open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month and from 1-4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. Admission is $3.00; children younger than 12 admitted free with an adult. For more info., call 281-331-4469.

New Temporary Exhibit Opens

2010-09-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

A new temporary exhibit has opened at the museum. "Honor - GLory - Discipline," a photographic documentary of Alvin High School's 2009 Football Team by Barbara Lewis will be on display through December 2010. Also included in the exhibit are memorabilia of past football seasons from the archives of Alvin High School's athletic department.

The Alvin Historical Museum, located at 300 W. Sealy, is open Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00.

Shells: Treasures from the Sea

2010-06-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

The new, temporary exhibit, "Shells: Treasures from the Sea" has opened at the museum. Showcased are a vareity of interesting shells in all shapes, sizes and colors. Contributors for this exhibit are the following: the estate of Tommie Reavis who donated her collection of shells to the Alvin Historical Museum; the family of Annie B. Edwards for sharing Mrs. Edwards handmade collection of coquina shell balls; and Nelma Martin, an avid collector, who added selected shells from her private collection.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of the month. Admission is $3.00. The exhibit will be on display through August.

Images of the West

2010-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

"Images of the West," a new temporary exhibit, has opened at the Alvin Historical Museum. On display is a selection of spurs from the private collection of Troy Crump. Although spurs date back as early as 700 BC, the spur, as we know it today, was introduced into Mexico by the Spanish explorer Cortes about 1520. Mr. Crump has a variety of spurs and other related items on display.

Also, as part of the exhibit are several western oil paintings by Dan Morgan. Dan started painting with oils in high school and studied with artist Robert McKinney. Western landscape has always been a favorite subject for his paintings. Today, Mr. Morgan still enjoys painting as a hobby.

The exhibit is on display now through May 31, 2010, at the Alvin Historical Museum, 300 W. Sealy. The museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00.

"Let there be Light"

2009-12-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

"Ancient Oil Lamps from the Middle East" is the new temporary exhibit officially opening at the Alvin Historial Museum on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The exhibit features oil lamps, dating from between 2000 BC and 1000 AD, from the private collection of Richard and Linda Klapper. The Klappers travel extensively and have lamps from the Middle East, including Israel and Egypt. This is an exhibit you will not want to miss.

The exhibit will be on display through February 2010. The Alvin Historical Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00.

Please note that the museum will be closed for the holidays on December 19 and reopen January 7, 2010.

Wrenches & More Wrenches

2009-06-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

"Vintage and Antique Tools" is the new temporary exhibit at the Alvin Historical Museum. This interesting display is from the private collection of Alvin resident, Noel Hankamer. Noel says that he's been a "tool freak since 1966." His father was a builder and Noel was interested in his carpentry tools which eventually led to his curiosity about vintage and antique tools. His main focus is on adjustable screw wrenches -- "monkey wrench" to the lay person.

Not only does Noel collect, but he also sells tools. Visit his impressive website at www.papawswrench.com. Noel's collection will be on display at the museum through September 30, 2009.

The Alvin Historical Museum and Gift Shop, located at 300 W. Sealy, Alvin, Texas, are open on Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

And the Winner Is!

2009-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Tara Hart of Alvin had the lucky ticket in the raffle drawing held on April 30. She is the winner of an original watercolor by Alvin artist Donna Rae Harris. Ms. Harris donated her painting, "Patriotism." It was part of the Museum's temporary exhibit of Ms. Harris' mixed media artworks.

Congratulations to Tara and many thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets. Proceeds benefit the Alvin Historical Museum. A new temporary exhibit will open next month.

"Patriotism" by Donna Rae Harris

2009-02-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

The temporary exhibit at the Museum is a collection of mixed media artworks by retired art instructor, Donna Rae Harris. Ms. Harris is very talented and creates many unique and unusual types of art. Her exhibit closes the end of April. Make plans now to visit the Museum and see her display.

Donna Rae graciously donated an original watercolor for a raffle benefiting the Museum. Entitled "Patriotism" it is on display at the Museum. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Tickets are available at the Museum, the Cottage Museum and from several museum society volunteers. Drawing will be April 29, 2009.

The Alvin Historical Museum is located at 300 W. Sealy and open Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Recognition Reception

2009-01-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

In recognition of the exhibitors who have shared their collections with us, the Alvin Museum Society is hosting an appreciation reception on Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Alvin Historical Museum, 300 West Sealy.

Presently on display in the museum is mixed media art work by retired art instructor, Donna Rae Harris. Past exhibitors include Arthur Pryor, photographer, Kathleen Holton, vintage camera collector, and Dr. Rodney Allbright, avid collector of 1950s toys and Indiana Jones memorabilia.

The public is invited to attend the reception and show their appreciation to our local citizens for sharing their collections with us. Admission is free.

Donna Rae Harris has donated a painting as a raffle item. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 and may be purchased at the museusm. Drawing will be on April 30, 2009, at the end of her exhibit showing.

Museum Reopens after Ike

2008-10-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Alvin Historical Museum didn't suffer any significant damage from Hurricane Ike's visit. However, much of Alvin did from strong, sustained winds. The Museum was closed for the month of September, but is now open and looking forward to visitors. The Indian Jones exhibit is ongoing. This is a pristine collection of 1950s memorabilia from Dr. Rodney Allbright. If you haven't seen it, make plans to visit soon. The Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and first Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Indiana Jones Visits Museum

2008-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

"Indiana Jones and Toys of the 1950s" are on display at the Alvin Historical Museum. This is a new, temporary exhibit that just opened and will be on display for about three months.

Much of the exhibit is part of a collection owned by Dr. Rodney Allbright, President of Alvin Community College. His collection is very extensive and includes a Lord of the Rings Trilogy Leather Journal, Dr. Henry Jones' 1912 Grail Diary, Indiana Jones Desert Convoy Truck, and a Dracula Ring along with toys, Coca Cola items, custom knives, Disney memorabilia, movie onesheets, lobby cards and more.

Dr. Allbright's collection is in pristine condition and many of the toys are in their original boxes.

Located in the old Alvin post office building at 300 W. Sealy, the Alvin Historical Museum is open every Thursday and Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults and children over the age of 12.

Museum Update

2007-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

There is a new exhibit at the Alvin Historical Museum featuring the works of a local photographer and antique cameras from a private collection. A permanent exhibit of artifacts from the Liverpool post office is just about completed.

The museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00.

Museum Open

2007-07-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

The Alvin Historical Museum and the Alvin Museum Gift Shop are now open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Museum is located at 300 W. Sealy, Alvin, Texas. Admission is $3.00.

Alvin, we have a musuem!

2007-05-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Alvin Museum Society cordially invites you to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Alvin Historical Museum on Sunday, May 20, 2007, from 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The museum is housed in the old post office building located at 300 W. Sealy Street, Alvin. There are many permanent exhibits along with additional displays of historical interest. Come and learn about Alvin's history and its peoples.

Mural

2007-04-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

Photo of WPA Post Office Mural painted by Loren Mozley and mounted in the old Alvin Post Office in 1942. It is a valuable piece of Alvin's History. Plans are underway to restore and display the mural in the Alvin Historical Museum.

Post Office Mural

2007-01-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

"New Deal Art During the Great Depression"

"On May 6, 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was created to help provide economic relief to the citizens of the United States who were suffering through the Great Depression. The artistic community had already become inspired during the 1920s and '30s by the revitalization of the Italian Renaissance fresco style by the inspired creations of Mexican muralists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueriros. Certain visionary U.S. politicians decided to combine the creativity of the new art movements with the values of the American people. The Federal Art Project (FAP) was one of the divisions of the WPA created under Federal Project One. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had made several attempts prior to the FAP to provide employment for artists on relief, namely the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) which operated from 1933 to 1934 and the Treasury Department Section of Painting and Sculpture which was created in 1934 after the demise of the PWAP However, it was the FAP which provided the widest reach, creating over 5,000 jobs for artists and producing over 225,000 works of art for the American people.

It is this legacy of the thousands of workers who labored at their craft for little money but great pride which we have to inspire us today. Although many of these works of art have been destroyed or stolen, those that remain must be preserved. They stand as a reminder of a time in our country’s history when dreams were not allowed to be destroyed by economic disaster."

From http://www.wpamurals.com/

Gala Tickets on Sale

2006-10-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

The Alvin Museum Society presents "Encore: Another Evening with the Stars" on Saturday, November 11, 2006, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Parish Hall, Alvin. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour, silent auction, dinner and entertainment. Local "stars" will lip-sync hit music from the past while portraying the artist who made the song famous.

Individual tickets are $50.00 and Reserved Tables for eight are $500.00. Contact Bill Nelson, 281-388-0616 or Alvin-Manvel Chamber of Commerce, 281-331-3944 for tickets. Advance ticket purchase required. NO tickets sold at the door. Get your tickets NOW! Proceeds benefit the Alvin Historical Museum Exhibit Fund.

Accessions Chairman Named

2006-09-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Tommy and Becky Peebles attended the August meeting of the Alvin Museum Society. Tommy was recently named Accessions Chairman for the Alvin Historical Museum. Along with his phenominal memory and love for local-history facts, Tommy is the ideal choice to head the committee responsible for logging in the museum's artifacts.

Another Gala Is On The Way

2006-08-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Alvin Museum Society presents "Encore: Another Evening with the Stars" including a silent auction, dinner, and entertainment. The fund raising event is set for November 11, 2006, 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Parish Hall. Individual tickets are $50.00 per person and available from Edward Jones/Bill Nelson, 281-388-0616 or Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce, 281-331-3944.

A Reserved Table for Eight is $500.00. For information about Event Sponsor and Table Sponsor, please contact Mark Patterson, 281-331-6481 or Terry Droege, 281-281-3172.

All proceeds benefit the Alvin Historical Museum Exhibit Fund. Visit this site again for up to date information about this event.

Fire Truck

2006-06-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Part of Alvin's history is this 1942 Shiny Red Chevrolet Fire Truck. Although it has been "retired" for many years, it still runs. It is the pride and joy of the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department. The department keeps it in storage and displays it on various holidays and during the fire department's open house in December. This picture was taken in December 2004 after an unexpected snowfall.

Open House - Well Attended

2006-02-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

What a pleasure it was to see a full house on January 15th! Over 200 members and friends came to the Alvin Historical Museum Progress Review Open House. Thanks to the Open House Committee for organizing this event: Dr. J.C. DeWitt, chairman, Shirley Brothers, Bobbie Case, Mary Anne McWhirter, and Mona Travis, and the volunteers who assisted them. Many thanks to all of you who came to show your interest in and support of YOUR museum.

With only one professional exhibit ready, volunteers prepared several well-received exhibits that displayed a few of the artifacts in the museum's collecitons. Among them were a World War II collection, paintings of downtown buildings, "Grandmother's Trunk", items from the Marguerite Rogers House Museum, and Alvin High School memorabilia. Vintage photographs were shown on a new flat-screen television.

Museum Review & Open House

2006-01-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, January 15, the Alvin Museum Society plans to "show off" the progress of renovating the old post office into the Alvin Historical Museum. Most of the building renovations have been completed. Work is underway on designing and constructing exhibits and displays. Fund raising events are on-going to complete the exhibits. The open house will give the community an opportunity to see the renovations, exhibit topics and some of the artifacts collected for display.

The Alvin Historical Museum is located at 302 W. Sealy, Alvin. The public is invited to the progress review and open house from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2006.

Another "Another Evening with the Stars"

2005-08-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

The Alvin Historical Museum Fundraising Committee is putting together a committee to plan "Another Evening with the Stars". This is a very popular event and promises to be a fun filled evening with dinner, a silent auction and of course "guest celebs."

Check back for more details as they develop.

Welcome to the Alvin Historical Museum

2005-08-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Alvin Historical Museum Blog. On this site we hope to provide the public with information about the Museum which will be opening soon.