FAQ

When can I visit the Galveston and Texas History Center?

The History Center is currently open Tuesday - Saturday, 9am - 6pm. We are located on the 4th floor of Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy, Galveston, Texas 77550.

Appointments are encouraged depending on how extensive your research request is. Call 409-763-8854 x126 or email gthc@rosenberg-library.org to schedule an appointment. We will need to know what you are researching and which materials to pull in advance. Researchers are asked to look at the Archives Catalog first to select items to view, at galvestonhistorycenter.org.

When can I visit the Museum?

The Museum’s 4th floor gallery (Trustees Hall) is closed for renovations. For questions or tours, call 409-763-8854 x125 or email museum@rosenberg-library.org.

Many museum items are on exhibit in the 2nd floor Grand Hallway, including the Treasure of the Month and the McGivney Award art exhibit.

When is the Museum/4th floor going to reopen?

The 4th floor museum gallery space, now called "Trustees Hall," is projected to reopen to the public in late 2022. At that time the public will be allowed to view the open space without exhibitions. Exhibits will be added to Trustees Hall in 2023.

The Harris Gallery is projected to reopen to the public in September 2022 with a 1900 Storm Photography exhibit.

What can I access online?

• The Archives and Museum have separate online catalogs, which can be accessed from galvestonhistorycenter.org (Archives) and rosenberg-library-museum.org (Museum).

• GalvestonHistoryCenter.org includes digitized versions of most photos, Storm of 1900 materials, research guides, and finding aids to the archival collections.

• The Museum Catalog contains images of all museum items.

• The Galveston Daily News is fully digitized and available on the NewspaperArchive database. It can be accessed from the 3rd floor computer lab or from home with a Rosenberg Library card.

• City directories from 1859 to 1925, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Collection, and much of the Galveston Tribune are available on the Portal to Texas History at texashistory.unt.edu.

How can I donate items to the collections?

Donations must be evaluated for scope, content, and condition before we can accept them. Materials will not be accepted from walk-in visitors and may not be dropped off at service desks or book drops.

• For objects, art, artifacts, call 409-763-8854 x125 or email museum@rosenberg-library.org. All museum donations must be approved by the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors. The process can take up to one month for approval.

• For photos, papers, A/V materials, maps, rare books, call 409-763-8854 x127 or email smcconnell@rosenberg-library.org.

• Books that are not rare and not related to Galveston or early Texas history may be donated to the Friends of the Rosenberg Library.

Can Special Collections staff appraise my book/art/artifact for value?

No. Certified appraisers can be found by location and specialization through the Appraisers Association (www.appraisersassociation.org).

Can I display my own art/artifacts or create an exhibit in the Museum?

No. The Museum is only able to exhibit items from the library’s collections.