Speaker Series Event: "June, 1865 - The Civil War Ends in Texas"

Coming This Fall to the Brenham Heritage Museum!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 23rd, when noted historian and author Dr. Paul Spellman returns for a compelling presentation: "June, 1865 – The Civil War Ends in Texas."

In this engaging talk, Dr. Spellman will explore the dramatic final days of the Civil War as they unfolded in Texas—a region far from the eastern battlefields but deeply involved in the war’s closing chapter. From battles fought even after General Lee’s surrender to the arrival of Union forces in Galveston and the eventual emancipation of enslaved people, Texas played a unique and often overlooked role in the war’s conclusion.

Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Dr. Spellman brings to life the tension, uncertainty, and transformation that defined June 1865, when the news of the Confederacy's defeat finally reached the Lone Star State. Discover how these pivotal events shaped the beginning of Reconstruction and laid the foundation for a new era in Texas and U.S. history.

As the Brenham Heritage Museum continues its fundraising efforts for the upcoming "Reconstruction Era" interactive kiosk, this presentation will offer a timely and enriching look at a period of profound change.

Save the date: Tuesday, September 23rd at the Brenham Heritage Museum. We look forward to seeing you there!

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📍 Location: 105 S Market St, Brenham, TX
📅 Date: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

🕠 Time:
5:30 PM – Members-Only Reception/Meet the Author, with light bites and beverages
6:00–7:00 PM – Presentation

🎟️ Admission:
FREE for museum members
$10 for non-members

📩 RSVP: Please email YWRtaW4gfCBicmVuaGFtaGVyaXRhZ2VtdXNldW0gISBvcmc= to reserve your spot.

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Author Biography:

Dr. Spellman is a seasoned author, speaker, and historian who retired after 30 years of teaching at the college level, including 25 years at Wharton County Junior College. He holds degrees from Southwestern University, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his PhD from the University of Houston.

With 14 published books on Texas history—both fiction and nonfiction for young adult and adult readers—Dr. Spellman is a recognized voice in the study of the Lone Star State. He is currently working with fellow historian Donaly Brice on a forthcoming biography of Mathew "Old Paint" Caldwell.

Now enjoying retirement in Richmond, Texas, Dr. Spellman spends his time with his wife, Kathleen, and their five grandchildren—continuing to share his passion for Texas history with audiences of all ages.

You may also like the following events from Brenham Heritage Museum:

• This month, 29th July, 05:30 pm, BHM Speaker Series: Voices of Camptown: Untold Stories from a Freedom Colony Cemetery in Brenham
• Next month, 26th August, 06:00 pm, Speaker Series Event - Batter Up: A History of Texas Semi-Pro Baseball - With Historian Mike Vance in Brenham
• This November, 8th November, 06:00 pm, The 1930s: The Golden Age of Hollywood - Fall Gala at the Brenham Heritage Museum in Brenham

Also check out other Arts events in Brenham, Literary Art events in Brenham, Performances in Brenham.