Meet Your Neighbor: Austa Sue Kelley

Austa Sue Kelley is the new President of the Docents Society. She was surprised when she was elected in January and hopes that she can do as good of a job as past presidents. Her main responsibility in this role is to keep the board updated and informed so the Docents can continue to stay involved in events.

Austa Sue grew up in the West University area of Houston, Texas, but is originally from Arkansas, where her mother was a school teacher. She moved to Houston in the 1950s when her father passed away and has lived here ever since. She now lives with her his­tory buff husband, Ray, in Greatwood, the place they have called home since 2004.

Austa Sue is the mother of four daughters and is dedicated to volunteer work. “I’ve been a scout leader, volunteered for senior services, served on the parks board... You name it, I’ve done it. Having four daughters makes you want to get involved,” Sue said.

Her love of museums and local history lead Austa Sue to becoming a member of the Do­cents Society about a year ago. Sue said, “The best way to learn more about it was to get involved in it,” and was glad she did. Sue described the Docents as, “…a great group Everyone is well informed and there’s a lot of history here.”

Click here to learn how you too can become a member of the Fort Bend County Museum Association for as little as $50. By becoming a member, you'll be supporting the mission of the Fort Bend County Museum Association, to educate this generation about Texas heroes and preserve our local history for generations to come. Fort Bend County Museum Association members enjoy free admission to the Fort Bend County Museum and George Ranch Historical Park all year long.

Fort Bend Museum participating in Blue Star Museums program

Today, the Fort Bend Museum is proud to announce the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 27, 2013 through Labor Day, September 2, 2013. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundations through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums

 “Blue Star Museum is a collaboration between the arts and military communities,” said NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa. “Our work with Blue Star Families and with more than 1,800 museums ensures that we can reach out to military families and thank them for their service and sacrifice.”

 This free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U. S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U. S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commission Corps – and up to five family members. The

Fort Bend Museum is happy to be a part of this latest NEA Program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families.

Historic Richmond Walking Tour: May 11

Put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore Historic Downtown Richmond with the Fort Bend Museum this Saturday, May 11. Lead by Jessica Avery, Educational Coordinator for the Fort Bend Museum, this tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the the Fort Bend Museum's Gallery, located at 500 Houston Street in downtown Richmond, Texas. The tour is expected to last about 45 minutes and cover a little less than a mile.

"This tour will focus on many of the historic homes in Richmond, Texas, including the John M. Moore House, the McFarlane House, the Long-Smith Cottage, and many more. We will discuss the early history of Richmond and many of its historic residents," said Avery.

Congressman John. M Moore's Home is located right

 next door to the Fort Bend Museum Gallery.

The McFarlane House, which is now serving as the administrative offices for the 

Fort Bend County Museum Association, is just around the corner.

In the front lawn of the Long-Smith Cottage, there is a historic marker that tells the story of Erastus "Deaf" Smith, who is supposedly buried somewhere near where the Cottage now stands.

Tour participants are advised to bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. The weather is expected to be warm with a high of 81 degrees, but there will be a chance of showers, so bring an umbrella just in case. The cost for the tour is $10 per person for non-museum members, $5 for members, and children under 12 years old are free.

For more information regarding this month's Walking Tour of Historic Richmond, call (281) 342- 6478 or email javery@forbendmuseum.org or crogers@fortbendmuseum.org

Want to experience events like this plus all that the 

 Fort Bend Museum & George Ranch Historical Park

have to offer ALL YEAR? 

Sign up today to become a member of the Fort Bend County Museum Association for a little as $50 to enjoy all that these history hubs have to offer. Click here to get involved in preserving local history!