The Bryan Museum is home to the world's largest collection of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to the Southwestern United States.
The Bryan Museum, founded by Mary Jon and J.P. Bryan, is the result of their lifetime commitment to historic preservation and education.
The Bryan Museum houses the largest collection of its kind in the world. With 70,000 items spanning 12,000 years, it includes treasures ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to 21st century pieces—rare German, French, Spanish, and English documents; exquisite saddles; spurs; antique firearms; exceptionally rare maps and books; fine art; religious and folk art; portraits; and documents.
The West as it will never be seen again!
Visitor's Information
Current Hours:
Thursday–Monday,
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
(Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Mission Statement
The Bryan Museum is dedicated to the preservation, education, and promotion of the history and art of the American Southwest through engaging exhibitions and programming.
Educational Programs
Please visit our schedule of events to find out about special programs for children, adults, educators, and school groups. Contact our staff for individualized group programs tailored to your needs.
Current Exhibits
Rotating exhibits from the Museum’s collection offer a memorable visit focused on the rich cultural history of the Southwestern United States. Guests are encouraged to return for a renewed experience.
Museum Shop
A broad selection of items including artwork, books, jewelry, pottery, educational toys, T-shirts, and other commemorative gifts are reasonably priced. Browse The Bryan Museum's online shop for special gifts year round.
Scholarship and Research
We aspire to be one of the nation's leading centers for the study of the art and artifacts of the Southwestern United States. We offer academic and research opportunities for scholars at the graduate level and above.
Membership
Becoming a member places you among a unique group of people dedicated to protecting our proud Southwestern heritage. With your help, we can bring history to life and educate future generations.
Museum founder J.P. Bryan, a direct descendant of Moses Austin (Stephen F. Austin's father), is a lifelong historian and champion of Texas history. Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Torch Energy Advisors, he is a former President of the Texas State Historical Association.
"French, Spanish, English, and German artists, among so many others, became Texans by either choice or chance, and a large body of their work bears visual testimony to their enduring affection for the region." ~ Jamie Christy, Director of The Bryan Museum
"The Bryan Museum presents the history of Texas and the Southwest, but this “bigger picture” is punctuated by pieces that tell stories from local and regional historical events. I think this will be really exciting for visitors to see." ~ Andrew Gustafson, Curator
"It's much easier to be a meaningful contributor when you truly love and have passion for the things you are giving to or supporting. When you give to something that you really care about, you don't feel the need to be recognized or applauded." ~ J.P. Bryan
The Bryan Museum is the world's largest accumulation of Texana and is meant to illustrate the vision, courage, integrity, and entrepreneurial spirit with which the state of Texas and the American Southwest were founded.
New in June: La Cruz Blanca / Visual Prayers Special Exhibits
In 1913, Leonor Villegas de Magnón founded La Cruz Blanca (The White Cross), a medical relief group, to care for wounded soldiers serving in the Mexican Revolution…
Catholicism was an important tool for the Spanish in colonizing the New World. Without a common language, Spanish priests and missionaries relied on artwork and images to convert indigenous populations…
Host your event at The Bryan Museum
The Bryan Museum is Galveston's newest venue for hosting your special event, wedding, or private party. In addition to our historic landmark building, we have several unique spaces available for entertaining your guests, including our exquisite Belgian-designed Victorian Conservatory, the adjacent Pavilion with luxurious bridal changing suite, and our expansive curated gardens. We can host cocktail parties for 100 amidst the 19th-century architecture of our grand lobby or create an elegant dinner for 50 surrounded by rare art and artifacts.
For pricing and availability, please call Ann Urban, our Director of Events, at (409) 220‑3022 or email her at ann@thebryanmuseum.org.
