The Bastrop Ladies Reading Circle founded the Bastrop County Historical Society (BCHS) in 1952. For more than 60 years, BCHS operated a small rural county museum in the rapidly growing community of Bastrop, Texas. Since then, BCHS has amassed a unique collection of materials, documents and artifacts dating from before the County’s founding in 1836, including some from pre-historic times.
The Society has a collection of approximately 7,000 artifacts and books and about 14,000 documents, photographs and exhibits – in most cases contributed by members of the community. Collections are preserved and much is exhibited. The museum has two permanent galleries and one gallery for rotating exhibits.
As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, the Museum and Visitor is funded through an annual Historic Homes Tour and Gala, business and personal memberships, donations and Hotel Occupancy Tax funding from the City of Bastrop.