1315 21st Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
info@thebryanmuseum.org
(409) 632-7685
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
After Hours at The Bryan featuring Swack and Jack
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Our first Thursdays is now on Wednesdays twice a month! To kick off the new Wednesday social, music and wine series listen to the lively sounds of Galveston's Swack and Jack!
TEX Talk
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Wednesday, May 6
5 p.m.
Museum Galleries
$5 per ticket
(Limited to 35 Registrants)
Founded in 1891, the Daughters of The Republic of Texas is the oldest patriotic women’s organization in Texas and one of the oldest in the nation! Learn more about the remarkable history of the DRT by Galveston Chapter President, Susan Polk.
Susan Polk is a 7th generation Texan who has spent her life honoring the state she loves. As President of the Sidney Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas — the founding chapter of the DRT — she is passionate about keeping Texas history alive and relevant for future generations.
Susan holds a BA from Austin College and an MBA from Houston Baptist University, and brings that same dedication to her work as a marketing strategist helping businesses thrive in a rapidly changing world. She also serves as Honorary Regent of the George Washington Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution — the first DAR chapter established in Texas.
The presentation will be "Daughters of the Republic of Texas: It Didn't Start (or End) at the Alamo" and will discuss the founding of DRT here in Galveston.
Book Signing
MEET AUTHOR JULIE DEWEES SPARKS!
Beneath the vast, unyielding Texas sky lies a story of grit, gushers, and grandeur—a tale of how oil, cattle, and the audacious dreams of larger-than-life figures forged a state unlike any other. Under Texas Skies: Oil, Ranches, and Dreams that Shaped a State takes readers on a sweeping journey through Texas history, from the explosive birth of the modern petroleum industry at Spindletop to the fracking boom and beyond. This is not just a chronicle of black gold; it’s a vibrant tapestry of ranches sprawling across millions of acres, visionary philanthropists building cities from scratch, and a cowboy culture that defied stereotypes to fuel a global economic titan.
With 22 meticulously researched chapters, Under Texas Skies uncovers the improbable friendships, family dynasties, and technological leaps that defined Texas. Discover how oil taxes—starting with a modest 1905 levy—built a state without income tax, funding highways, Neiman Marcus glamour, and a war-winning effort in World War II with pipelines and synthetic rubber. Texas also played a crucial role during World War I, as the nation relied on its oil to power military vehicles and support the war effort. From the million-acre ranches of Texas to the coastal wells rising from Gulf waves, this book captures the raw energy of a land where dreams were as big as the horizon.