Museum & Visitor Center of the Bastrop County Historical Society
904 Main Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602
Museum (512) 303-0057
Visitor Center (512) 303-0904
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Our Mission
What We're About
BCHS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Bastrop and Bastrop County. The Society is a group of energetic trustees, volunteers, and staff who operate the Society’s museum with monies from the City of Bastrop, from dues paid by individual and business members, and from sponsors who generously underwrite the Society’s annual events and activities.
A Glimpse Into Our History
How We Began
In 1952, members of Bastrop's Ladies Reading Circle felt the need to "awaken an interest in the early history and legends of Bastrop." Thirty ladies, all who became charter members, sponsored and organized the Bastrop Historical Society. They met at the home of Mrs. Powell Maynard in February 1952 and in that same year purchased the historic Cornelson-Fehr House at 702 Main for a museum.
The Society began the collection and preservation of materials, artifacts and documents relating to the history of the Little Colony of Stephen F. Austin, Bastrop, County and the town of Bastrop. As the collection grew, the Maynard Room was added to the museum in 1970, a small building was converted into a pioneer kitchen in 1975, and the Wilbarger room was added in 1978.
More recently, the Society recognized the importance of enlarging its collection of artifacts from the 1900s; however, with site restraints and after 60 years in the same building, further expansion was not possible. The Society contracted with the City of Bastrop to lease and renovate the historic city hall for a new museum and visitor center. The Society moved into its new facility on December 1, 2012 and held a grand opening for the new building and the first exhibit titled the Colorado River on January 26, 2013.
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The Visitor Center was established by the Historical Society in 2006 to promote historic downtown Bastrop. The Center has become so successful it has expanded its tourism information to include the entire city and the surrounding area. Its central focus, however, still remains the historic aspects of our community. The Center is funded by the City of Bastrop and by area-wide business sponsors. For information pertaining to lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment in and around Bastrop, click HERE. (VisitBastrop.com)