FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2008
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834

County Begins Repairs to Museum Building in Downtown Galveston

The Galveston County Historical Museum building, built in 1921, is having repairs made on its exterior east wall. During these repairs, the museum will remain open for visitors and tours.

“When this building was originally built there was a two-story building next door. Years later, when the neighboring building was removed and replaced with a single-story structure, our building’s east wall was built out and plastered so that it could hold up to the elements,” said museum director Jodi Wright-Gidley. “Over time, that wall has begun to separate from our building, so now the county is completing those repairs.” They should take about two months.

The building was originally the City National Bank, and was later renamed Moody National Bank, after its founder W.L. Moody, Jr. In the 1970s, after the bank moved to its modern downtown building, Mary Moody Northen updated the building and gave it to Galveston County to be used as a museum of county history.

The county is responsible for maintaining the building, and plans are under consideration to make further repairs to bring the building up to code. Additional projects will include window repairs, re-pointing the exterior facade, electrical and plumbing updates, as well as some exhibition cases and railing.

“If you haven’t visited your county museum in a while, now is a good time to stop by,” said Galveston Historical Foundation executive director Dwayne Jones. “With newly updated exhibits, including Native Americans of Galveston County, 1900 Storm, and the Golden Age of Ornithology and Printmaking, Galveston County Historical Museum is becoming one of GHF’s strongest programs.”

The small staff is also working on a book, due out in December, featuring the museum’s collection of photographs from 1902-1912; the city’s rebuilding period after the 1900 Storm.

The Galveston County Historical Museum is a joint project of Galveston County Commissioners Court and Galveston Historical Foundation. The museum is located at 2219 Market Street in historic downtown Galveston. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information on the museum’s exhibits and events, visit www.galvestonhistory.org.