Carnegie History Center

The Carnegie History Center is a FREE Genealogical Research Center and Special Collections archive for the history of the Brazos Valley.

In 1902, Carnegie awarded the city of Bryan a $10,000 grant to construct a library. The building is designed in Greek Revival style, in a Greek Cross plan by the local architect, Professor Fred R. Geisecke of Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (TAMC). Between 1886 and 1919, New York industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated more than $40 million to construct 1,689 Carnegie Libraries. Of these, about 30 were built in Texas and only 13 of those remain standing today with less than half serving their original purpose as a public library. Learn more HERE.

Inside, you will find paintings and the Plummer Dollhouse, a beautifully detailed scale model of the Blue House in Calvert, TX. The dollhouse was build by W.C. Estes from Waxahachie, TX. On the second floor, enjoy the appliqued mural created by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to honor early Texas. Fun fact: After the victory at San Jacinto up to 1846, Texas offered opportunities for people to have a new, better life. Pioneers left their homes, posted the notice “G.T.T.” meaning “Gone to Texas” and headed west.

111 S Main St, Bryan, TX 77803
www.bcslibrary.org/libraries/library-branches/#carnegie
Facebook: CarnegieHistoryCenter
979-209-5630