The Museum of the Coastal Bend showcases the rich multi-cultural heritage of the mid-coastal region of Texas. The Museum’s mission is to enhance the appreciation and enjoyment of the region's heritage. The Museum's purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, interpret, and educate using the history and heritage of the region.
For many years The Victoria College worked with board advisors and volunteers from Victoria and nearby communities to develop the Museum of the Coastal Bend. The Victoria College is an established higher educational institution that has served the Coastal Bend community since 1925. The museum's founders began with a concept of creating a cultural institution for educational enrichment to enhance the public’s appreciation and enjoyment of the region’s heritage and the preservation of natural resources.
The Museum of the Coastal Bend opened with a Chamber of Commerce Red Ribbon ceremony on October 11, 2003. The museum complements existing local and regional museums and educational facilities, and through permanent and temporary exhibits, provides a comprehensive overview of the rich Coastal Bend heritage and places it into a regional perspective.
In 2009, the Museum of the Coastal Bend achieved Certified Curatorial Facility status, a designation awarded by The Texas Historical Commission to only sixteen such designated institutions in the state. The certification ensures that facilities meet current museum standards pertinent to the care and management of held-in-trust collections.
In 2014, after a multi-year process including hundreds of pages of input from community members, scholars, and educators, the museum unveiled a total redesign of the core exhibits. The exhibit content was updated to current museum standards for optimal educational effectiveness.
The museum has a collections management plan ensuring that it takes care of collections responsibly. See it here.
Museum of the Coastal Bend Advisory Board FY 2016-17
Joe Dahlstrom
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Chair |
Jennifer Ortiz-Garza
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Vice Chair |
John Foester
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Secretary/Treasurer |
Brigid Berger |
Board Member |
Bill Birmingham
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Board Member |
Hilary Donoghue-Brandon
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Board Member
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Matthew Gaskin
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Board Member |
Wade Harrell
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Board Member
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Bill Harvey
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Board Member
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David Hinds
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Ex-Officio
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Lidia Serrata-Ledesma |
Board Member |
Carol V. Tippins |
Board Member |
Jeff Wright |
Board Member |
Jennifer Yancey |
Ex-Officio |