The Bay Area Historical Society, which has nearly 500 members, has its offices in the Baytown Historical Museum at 220 West Defee in Baytown, Texas.
The official purpose of the Bay Area Heritage Society is to discover, collect, preserve and display historical data relating to the City of Baytown and the surrounding area. This is done primarily through the museum, but the group has several other interesting projects.
In 1986, for example, the society had the one-room Wooster School, built in 1896, relocated to the Republic of Texas Plaza on North Main St. in Baytown. In October 1988, the Brown-McKay house was also moved to the Republic of Texas Plaza. This early pioneer home, which dates to 1910, had belonged to the Brown family in Wooster. In December 2006, the Wooster School and Brown-McKay House were given to the Baytown Historical Preservation Association.
Each year, all third grade students in Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) tour the Baytown Historical Museum.
To get involved, call the society at 281-427-8768.
Baytown Historical Preservation Association
The Baytown Historical Preservation Association was formed in December of 2006. The Association was given the one-room Wooster School and the Brown-McKay House.
The Baytown Historical Preservation Association works to increase awareness of local history by hosting an annual festival.
The Historical Preservation Association hosts an Open House at the Plaza of the one-room Wooster School and Brown-McKay Farmhouse on the last Saturday of each month, except holiday weekends, from 1 PM tp 3 PM. Admission is free to tour the historic buildings. The Association periodically hosts Family Heritage Day with demonstrations and exhibits.
The Association sponsors the Heritage Scaritage Festival on the last Saturday of October at the Republic of Texas Plaza in Baytown. Activities include pumpkin decorating and other kid friendly activities, as well as reenactment groups. There are a variety of arts and crafts and food booths along with guided tours of the Wooster School and the Brown-McKay House with docents in period costumes. Admission is free.
The Baytown Historical Preservation Association hosts a Cowboy Supper with a "Texas Hero" each August.
For specific dates and details for these activities, or to get involved, call the Baytown Historical Preservation Association at (281) 421-2099