If you're wondering what to do in Galveston, the video above is a good place to start. It covers a visit to the Bryan Museum to check out the Billy Gibbons Texas History Experience, a temporary exhibit loaded with memorabilia from Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top. The museum itself is housed in a historic Galveston orphans' home that survived the devastating 1900 hurricane, and it's worth seeing just for the building alone. But the exhibit inside gave a real reason to make the trip down to the island.
What Is the Billy Gibbons Exhibit at the Bryan Museum?
The exhibit draws from Billy Gibbons' personal collection and covers a lot of ground. ZZ Top formed in Houston back in 1969, and their blend of rock and blues made them one of the most recognizable bands in Texas music history. The display includes guitars, fancy stage suits, band photos, paintings, and African artwork that Gibbons collected because of his interest in tracing the blues back to its African roots. There's also a pile of Las Vegas casino memorabilia — chips, souvenirs, and random stuff the band accumulated over years of having a good time in Vegas. One of the standout pieces is Billy Gibbons' signature noodle hat, which was woven by a prestigious African tribe. The story goes that the tribe wanted his cowboy hat as a gift, but Gibbons insisted on a trade, and that's how he ended up with the hat he now wears constantly.
The Balinese Room and Galveston's Entertainment History
One section of the exhibit focused on the Balinese Room, a famous nightclub that once sat right along the Galveston pier. It was a glamorous spot in its day — a real destination for entertainment on the island. Hurricane Ike destroyed it in 2008, but the exhibit preserved some original items like old menus and other artifacts. It's a good reminder that Galveston has a deep entertainment history that goes well beyond the Seawall and beach tourism.
What About the Chicken Ranch Near LaGrange?
The exhibit also touched on the Chicken Ranch, the notorious brothel near LaGrange that inspired both the musical and the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. During the Great Depression, bartering chickens for services became common there, which is how the place got its name. It was also known as a spot where Texas A&M freshmen were taken as part of an initiation tradition. It's a weird and entertaining piece of Texas history, and the exhibit did a solid job of laying it all out.
David Bridwell covers spots like this regularly on his YouTube channel, along with a ton of content about the Texas music scene. If you're planning a Galveston trip and want something beyond the usual beach day, the Bryan Museum and its rotating exhibits are a worthwhile stop — especially when they're featuring Texas music legends.