HISTORY

In December 1995, a group of volunteers in the Brazos Valley led by A&M Professor, Dr. Dale Whittaker (a Kellogg Foundation Fellow) and his wife Mary, came together to form and incorporate The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley in the State of Texas. It was their dream to create a nonprofit children’s museum where children ages infant to 14 would be encouraged to have hands-on educational and fun arts and science experiences.  

In June 1996, the group received its nonprofit 501 (c) 3 status from the IRS, and in July 1996, the board began exhibit planning and construction. A Board of Directors was elected in January 1997.  

The Kellogg Foundation, which sponsored Dr. Whittaker’s involvement through its National Leadership Fellow program, provided funding during the start-up phase. The Museum was also given a key donation of two years of rent-free space in the newly renovated “Old Bryan Marketplace.” The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley opened its doors at 202 South Bryan St. on April 18, 1998. 

The year 2000 was a landmark year for The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Bryan was signed and gave The Museum opportunity to obtain Old City Hall as its home. Construction was completed and, on October 24, 2001, Old City Hall became the new home of the Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley. The unique history of the building resulted in its being placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 2000.

Old City Hall Location, 2000
Carter Creek Location, 2015

The museum moved to the Carter Creek Shopping Center in Bryan in the Fall of 2014 with the museum’s ultimate goal to begin the process of building our own building.

The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley took its first steps towards building our own building in April 2021 by moving to a temporary location at Lake Walk.  We continue to strive towards our goal to building our own build at Lake Walk, our target completion date is 2025.