AMS had the annual membership meeting Sunday, June 28. Thanks were extended to outgoing board members and introduction of new board members. We were treated to a skit with dancing cows to point out our newest exhibit of dairy equipment showing the history of the dairy business in Alvin.

The February meeting featured a presentation on early flight history and the story of the Savidge family that were pioneers in airplane flight and did air shows in Alvin, Texas before the First World War. Some of the family settled here and some descendants attended our meeting.

The Karpeles Manuscript Museum has put their building (the old Methodist Church on Johnson Street) up for sale. The city is working to try to keep them here. We are putting together a presentation to go before City Council Thursday February 5th defining the many benefits of the museum to our city. The last portion of the presentation will be a list of people who urge that council make every effort to ensure this museum locates in our city including making available funds from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. We are soliciting names of people to include from across this community who support this endeavor. Below is the actual text under which the names would be listed. Please reply to this email if we can have your permission to include your name on the list. If you have questions please feel free to contact Tom Stansel at 713 247-9356. For additional information, this is the link to the Karpeles Museum website: http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/ it is well worth the time to look at the web site and see the Karpeles’ incredible collection. Thanks, Tom A Request from the Alvin Community Dr. Karpeles is a California philanthropist who has spent many years collecting significant documents and currently has a collection of over 1 million original manuscripts (the largest private collection in the world). He has opened over a dozen manuscript museums around the United States where his huge collection is displayed. His museums do not charge an admission fee and he has also instituted a program of taking copies of the manuscripts to local schools as a free educational tool. Alvin has been incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Karpeles select Alvin (the only site in Texas) as a site for one of his museums. He has purchased the old Methodist Church on Johnson Street and has been restoring this historic building for over 3 years but due to rising costs and building code issues, he is considering relocating elsewhere. We request the Mayor and City Council make every effort to ensure this museum locates in our city including making available funds from the Hotel-Motel Tax Fund.

The October General membership Meeting of the Alvin Museum Society featured a program by James Glover who is a well known researcher on the descendants of the founding families of Brazoria County. According to Mr. Glover, the families, including the Thomas family, from which he is descended, have “intertwined throughout time and territory, “creating an interesting family story which he enjoys telling.

Alvin Museum Society to look at its “FAMILY ALBUM” Program on Founding Family Descendants

The October General membership Meeting of the Alvin Museum Society will feature a program by James Glover who is a well known researcher on the descendents of the founding families of Brazoria County. According to Mr. Glover, the families, including the Thomas family, from which he is descended, have “intertwined throughout time and territory, “creating an interesting family story which he enjoys telling. In keeping with its continuing work to collect information The Society is extending a special invitation to local residents who have a connection to early settlers to attend the meeting , at which group or individual photographs will be taken to add to the Society’s archives. In addition, participants can share old family photographs which will be scanned and added to the museum’s collection. Documentation on the photograph will be recorded, along with the image to be stored. For the enjoyment of the group some of the photographs currently in the collection will be shown in a film presentation. The meeting is 2:00p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2014, at the Alvin Senior Center. For more information call 218-33-4469 or email- alvinms@att.net.

AMS participating in Keep Alvin Beautiful "Depot Days". Members and volunteers participated in and watched the Depot Days parade Sturdy August 30, 2014. Young volunteers handed out flyers asking "Do You "NOSE" your Museum" showing off their clown noses.

The museum has a new temporary exhibit celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Texas. Stop by and see it!

Photography Exhibit

"Every Day through My Lens" is a temporary exhibit at the Alvin Historical Museum. Featured is a camera collection and display of photographs by Melanie Hughes. Melanie is a life long Alvin resident anddelights in being able to share her passion for photography. This exhibit will be on display through April.

The Alvin Historical Museum, located at 302 W. Sealy is open Thursdays and Fridays and the first Saturday of the month from 11 - 3, and the first Sunday from 1- 4. Admission is $3.00 for adults and children 12 and over.