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Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf, an exhibition featuring hundreds of artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia from our city’s past, is now on display at the Rosenberg Library. This exhibit explores the unique history of Galveston Island from the time of its founding through the present day.
The exhibit also examines
Galveston during the Republic of Texas era (1836-1845) and during the Civil War
(1861-1865). Items of interest from this period include a sword, telescope, and
compass that belonged to Captain Norman Hurd of the Texas Navy. Historic
munitions from the Civil War, including two cannon balls and a shell fragment
from the Battle of Galveston, are displayed. Visitors will especially
appreciate an ornate steel and brass officer’s sword that belonged to a Civil
War colonel. Artifacts related to the cotton industry, tourism, and
immigration are also included in Galveston: Treasure Island of the Gulf.
A silver presentation cup that was awarded to Samuel May Williams for his
outstanding cotton crop in 1832 is one the oldest artifacts in the exhibit.
Vintage postcards and other memorabilia from the island’s days as an
entertainment mecca show images of some of the most famous nightclubs once
located on the island. The Hollywood Dinner Club, the Sui Jen Café, and the
Balinese Room once hosted world-class performers like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee,
and Bob Hope. Images from the 1900 Storm as well as photographs of the grade raising and construction of the seawall document the overwhelming challenges faced by Galvestonians after the one of the greatest natural disasters in U.S. history. Artifacts related to this era in Galveston’s past include the gold and ivory pen used to sign the grade raising bill in 1901. Visitors of all ages will enjoy taking a step back into the past and examining relics from some of the most significant events in the history of the island. Galveston: Treasure Island of the Southwest is located in the James M. Lykes Maritime Gallery on the third floor of Rosenberg Library. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free of charge.
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Visitors can view Karankawa
Indian artifacts and learn about some of the early European explorers who
navigated the waters along the Gulf coast. One of the most significant items on
display is the surveyor’s equipment used by John D. Groesbeck in the original
platting of the city in 1838. 
In addition to dozens of artifacts, more than 130 historic photographs and
documents are on display as part of the exhibition. Photos of the Strand and
Harborside from the early 1860s through the 1920s can be seen along with
artifacts from some of the city’s early businesses. An 1899 Rosenberg Bank
deposit book, a 19th century tea box from Focke, Wilkens, and Lange,
and antique milk bottles from Star Dairy are featured in the show.