New Historic Sites now open regularly
November 07, 2015
Brenham Historical Tour Package: "Step Into the Past"
Five historical sites in Brenham are now open with regular hours on Saturdays to share the community’s colorful heritage. The grand opening of Step into the Past Historical Tours was celebrated in early October.
“Brenham has fascinating places that have never before opened to the public,” said Doug Price, director of Brenham Heritage Museum. “The new attractions will be promoted as a package with existing historical attractions to enrich the experience for visitors to our community.”
“About 8,000 walk-in tourists have visited the Washington County Visitor Center each year since 2012,” said Page Michel, president/CEO of the Washington County Chamber Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Most are looking for things to do in the area. With the new Step into the Past package we can offer a variety of unique attractions that appeal to both adults and children.”
The venues being opened are already toured each May by Brenham ISD students at the annual Local History Day event. “Many requests have been received for similar adult tours,” said Jennifer Eckermann, Main Street manager for the City of Brenham. “This plan simply calls for the same sites to open on Saturdays for self-guided tours. Since our community already has these wonderful places, we are able to prepare them for the tours in a short time and with little expense.”
The tour package includes:
Glissmann Historic Drug Store – A fascinating pharmacy that looks exactly like it did in 1924, complete with medicines and equipment used in that era. A short film will introduce visitors to Carl Glissmann and his processes for mixing medicines by hand.
Brenham Fire Museum – Visitors can see up-close three antique fire trucks from Brenham’s past, and learn the exciting history of the Brenham Fire Department and the annual Maifest celebration.
Brenham Heritage Museum - New displays and collections have been added, including more interactive activities for children. New films highlight interesting forefathers and their stories.
Toubin Park – Opened in 2011, the park is part of the tour package for its original cistern built around 1878. Toubin Park displays give details about Brenham’s intriguing past and its Texas Archeological Landmark – a system of historic cisterns.
The Giddings Wilkin House Museum – The oldest standing home in Brenham, built in 1843. Visitors can experience how aristocrats lived in an era before electricity, plumbing or bathrooms. A cistern can be viewed in the yard – the only source of water for the home until the late 1800s.
The Giddings Stone Mansion – Built in 1870, this grand house has hosted many lavish events for nearly 150 years. Tourists can see the homes’ advanced features for its time, and learn how the family’s household was operated.
The Barnhill Center at the Simon Theatre – Originally opened in 1925, the historic theatre is currently under renovation with a grand opening planned for this fall. A brief film will be shown at the Simon to share local history and get tourists started on their local adventures.
The Antique Carousel at Fireman’s Park is part of the tour package due to its authentic charm. Built between 1895 and 1906, the nostalgic carousel appeals to children and adults.
Step into the Past was spearheaded by volunteer Sharon Brass; Jennifer Eckermann of Main Street Brenham; Doug Price and Cynthia Eben of Brenham Heritage Museum; and Page Michel, Lu Hollander and Jenny Mills of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Project funding is being provided by Main Street Brenham and Brenham Heritage Museum, with contributions from Barry and Sharon Brass.
The project is a collaboration among Main Street Brenham, Washington County Chamber Convention & Visitors Bureau, Brenham Heritage Museum, Brenham Fire Department, Glissmanns, and the Heritage Society of Washington County.
“These entities have already worked together to provide the annual Local History Day for BISD,” said Brass. “With such a successful track record as a team, they will again come together to help the community-at-large during this critical time in our economic history.”
“Our only challenge is connecting with enough volunteers to staff all these venues on Saturdays,” said Eckermann. “Each of the participating organizations has reached out to its supporters but we still need more manpower. We hope to find more residents who would like to help us share our rich heritage with others.”
For more information or to offer help: 979-836-3696
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Five historical sites in Brenham are now open with regular hours on Saturdays to share the community’s colorful heritage. The grand opening of Step into the Past Historical Tours was celebrated in early October.
“Brenham has fascinating places that have never before opened to the public,” said Doug Price, director of Brenham Heritage Museum. “The new attractions will be promoted as a package with existing historical attractions to enrich the experience for visitors to our community.”
“About 8,000 walk-in tourists have visited the Washington County Visitor Center each year since 2012,” said Page Michel, president/CEO of the Washington County Chamber Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Most are looking for things to do in the area. With the new Step into the Past package we can offer a variety of unique attractions that appeal to both adults and children.”
The venues being opened are already toured each May by Brenham ISD students at the annual Local History Day event. “Many requests have been received for similar adult tours,” said Jennifer Eckermann, Main Street manager for the City of Brenham. “This plan simply calls for the same sites to open on Saturdays for self-guided tours. Since our community already has these wonderful places, we are able to prepare them for the tours in a short time and with little expense.”
The tour package includes:
Glissmann Historic Drug Store – A fascinating pharmacy that looks exactly like it did in 1924, complete with medicines and equipment used in that era. A short film will introduce visitors to Carl Glissmann and his processes for mixing medicines by hand.
Brenham Fire Museum – Visitors can see up-close three antique fire trucks from Brenham’s past, and learn the exciting history of the Brenham Fire Department and the annual Maifest celebration.
Brenham Heritage Museum - New displays and collections have been added, including more interactive activities for children. New films highlight interesting forefathers and their stories.
Toubin Park – Opened in 2011, the park is part of the tour package for its original cistern built around 1878. Toubin Park displays give details about Brenham’s intriguing past and its Texas Archeological Landmark – a system of historic cisterns.
The Giddings Wilkin House Museum – The oldest standing home in Brenham, built in 1843. Visitors can experience how aristocrats lived in an era before electricity, plumbing or bathrooms. A cistern can be viewed in the yard – the only source of water for the home until the late 1800s.
The Giddings Stone Mansion – Built in 1870, this grand house has hosted many lavish events for nearly 150 years. Tourists can see the homes’ advanced features for its time, and learn how the family’s household was operated.
The Barnhill Center at the Simon Theatre – Originally opened in 1925, the historic theatre is currently under renovation with a grand opening planned for this fall. A brief film will be shown at the Simon to share local history and get tourists started on their local adventures.
The Antique Carousel at Fireman’s Park is part of the tour package due to its authentic charm. Built between 1895 and 1906, the nostalgic carousel appeals to children and adults.
Step into the Past was spearheaded by volunteer Sharon Brass; Jennifer Eckermann of Main Street Brenham; Doug Price and Cynthia Eben of Brenham Heritage Museum; and Page Michel, Lu Hollander and Jenny Mills of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Project funding is being provided by Main Street Brenham and Brenham Heritage Museum, with contributions from Barry and Sharon Brass.
The project is a collaboration among Main Street Brenham, Washington County Chamber Convention & Visitors Bureau, Brenham Heritage Museum, Brenham Fire Department, Glissmanns, and the Heritage Society of Washington County.
“These entities have already worked together to provide the annual Local History Day for BISD,” said Brass. “With such a successful track record as a team, they will again come together to help the community-at-large during this critical time in our economic history.”
“Our only challenge is connecting with enough volunteers to staff all these venues on Saturdays,” said Eckermann. “Each of the participating organizations has reached out to its supporters but we still need more manpower. We hope to find more residents who would like to help us share our rich heritage with others.”
For more information or to offer help: 979-836-3696
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