1315 21st Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
info@thebryanmuseum.org
(409) 632-7685
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
The Bryan Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West was assembled by J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan, the collection spans more than 12,000 years, with pieces ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern twenty-first century objects. With approximately 70,000 items in total, the collection includes 20,000 rare books; more than 30,000 documents in Spanish, German, French, and English; three dozen saddles; over 250 antique firearms; several hundred spurs; a large collection of fine art, religious art, folk art, and portraits; exceedingly rare maps and artifacts, such as “cowboy” chaps; Native American stone tools and arrowheads; and a Spanish mission bell.
The Museum is comprised of seven permanent galleries and one special exhibit gallery that rotates every three months highlighting the remarkable art and history of Texas and the American West.
Kermit Oliver & Hermes: Storytelling on Silk & Canvas is an exhibit of original artwork and Hermes scarves designed by native Texan, Kermit Oliver, the first American to design scarves for the esteemed French fashion house. Just years after his graduation from Texas Southern University in 1967, Oliver, originally from Refugio, Texas and the son of a cowboy, became an acclaimed artist in Houston with art aficionados and socialites flocking to his exhibit openings. Between 1984 and 2004, Oliver designed 17 scarves for Hermes, each one following the themes of Native Americans, Texas, or the Southwest.