05/13/2026
Join us in highlighting our Board Vice President, Beverly Norris! 🌟 Her dedication and hands-on help with exhibit curation and creative projects make such a meaningful impact at the Brown County Museum—we’re so thankful for her!
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How long have you been serving on the Brown County Museum Board of Directors?
—About 16 years, since 2010
How long have you lived in Brown County?
—I was raised in Brownwood, then lived in St. Louis, MO for over 20 years, moving back to
Brownwood in 2001.
What is your professional background?
—My degree was in Business with an emphasis in Marketing, and I worked in that field. When I was 40 years old, I wanted a change in careers, went back to school for Interior Design, and was self-employed as a freelance interior designer for many years.
Other community organizations/ volunteer work?
—I have volunteered or served on the boards of Pregnancy Care Center, Christian Women's Job Corp, and the Hardin Heritage Center, and been a member of Rotary, Brownwood Garden Club, and Jr. 20th Century Book Club.
Personal hobbies & interests outside of work?
—I enjoy reading—I'm a member of two book clubs--also art, animals, and gardening. I own a horse, a donkey named Lulu, and a miniature mule named Daisy, a tortoise called Huckleberry, and various dogs and cats. I have always loved history and museums. History and Art museums are my favorite, although I am curious about almost everything in life--as a kid, I read encyclopedias cover to cover—every topic interested me. Even at my age (71), I still love to learn.
What makes you passionate about preserving the history of Brown County?
—It's so important to understand how many of the blessings we enjoy in our lives today are the result of other people's sacrifice and hard work in the past...learning about the bravery of the pioneers to tame a wild land, the valor of those who marched off to war, the dedication of everyday citizens who improved life for others by advancing civil rights, and building a better community—these stories deserve to be remembered.
If every child knows what others have done to survive, conquer problems, and make a better life, then they will know that they, too, can make a difference by changing the world for the better. This is just one of the gifts of knowing history.
Do you have a particular favorite era of history (throughout all time & world history)?
—I started out being fascinated by Russian and European history, but now especially enjoy Texas of the 19th and 20th centuries, and World War II. I was never especially interested in the American Revolution, but recently, after reading several books about it, I have become captivated by that time frame.
What is your favorite event/program/exhibit that we have done?
—Oh my, that would be like picking a favorite child! But I guess the Camp Bowie/World War II exhibit is a favorite because it was a huge project-- to address a world war from both a macro point of view and then what happened here locally with Camp Bowie, and the difference it made in winning the war. Many are surprised to know that something that happened here was
important on a global level.
Extra: Do you have any favorite “History of Brown County” stories you’d like to share?
—I enjoy the stories of Brown County in the 1800s, as a community balanced on the very edge of the Western frontier. It is hard to imagine now, living in what is a quiet, rural area, that it was once the jumping-off point to the Wild West. Filled with outlaws and marauding Indians, people literally took their lives into their own hands to settle here. (What a lot of bravery that took! Now, a long line at Chick-fil-A is the most stress I handle!) During the 1860s, all troops left the forts to fight in the Civil War, and it was a time of extreme violence here in Brown County. One sheriff was shot on the steps of the Courthouse, then his killer was elected as the next sheriff!
With scarce law enforcement and huge distances between towns, the Range Wars (Fence-Cutting Wars) came to a ferocious level, and the Governor had to send the Texas Rangers to Brownwood to quell the fighting.
There are also many funny stories of the years during Prohibition—I love the one that was told to me by Pat Coursey—a bootlegger had a horse trained to go, without a rider, to a certain location, carrying bottles in the saddlebag to deliver to customers!
