Galveston County Historical Museum Seeks Artifacts from the Hotel Galvez
The Galveston County Historical Museum is collaborating with Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, to create a new history exhibit for the hotel’s centennial celebration. Items donated to the County Museum will become part of its permanent collection.
“Our museum collects anything related to Galveston County history and at this time we are focusing efforts on getting new donations of materials related to Hotel Galvez,” says Galveston County Historical Museum Director Jodi Wright-Gidley. “The hotel already has several postcards but we are looking for additional unique items such as personal photographs, invitations to events, guest books, or other items that may have been original to the hotel but lost over the years.” Those interested in donating items should contact the museum at (409) 766-2340. Donated items are tax deductible.
When Hotel Galvez opened in 1911, Galveston had finished building its 17-foot Seawall to protect the Island and its grade raising project which raised the grade of land to make buildings less susceptible to flooding in the event of future storms. The Causeway had been completed, now connecting Galveston Island to the mainland. All of these accomplishments were part of the Island’s recovery following the Great Storm of 1900.
The Hotel Galvez originally opened on June 10, 1911. This elegant beachfront hotel was immediately proclaimed “Queen of the Gulf” and within a year of opening, it was deemed the “best arranged and most richly furnished seaside hotel in America” by Hotel Monthly. Hotel Galvez still stands as a symbol of Galveston Island’s resilience in the face of disaster. |
