A Historic Sword, Bud Adams’ Horns and Plenty of Surprises Make History Come to Life: This Private Club Party Benefits an Underrated Museum

What: Tejas Libre fundraiser for the Bryan Museum

Where: A private club next to Houston Polo Club

PC Moment: As if the auction of Texas memorabilia including a third generation Colt “Texas” Paterson revolver and a pair of mounted steer horns that belonged to Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams weren’t enough to stir Lone Star excitement, guests had a big surprise compliments of the museum in Galveston. The 200-plus contingent had the opportunity to be photographed with a sword that was used in the capture of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Another surprise was the impromptu performance by singer songwriter Tommy Lewis.

What was intended to be a men’s smoker (with hand-rolled cigars from famed attorney Racehorse Haynes‘ favorite source for stogies) turned out to be coed as a number of guests’ wives insisted on joining the evening.

In men’s smoker tradition, WhistlePig single barrel rye whiskey flowed as did the Kelly Fleming wines and Karbach beer. Likewise, the club provided a vast array of manly appetizers including bacon-wrapped pheasant queso fresco and jalapeños, venison canapés, fried oysters, barbecued shrimp and more.

Of additional interest were the Briar Shoppe‘s display of collectible shotguns and hand guns and the Tenenbaum Jewelers‘ stud bar, both open for business.

The evening was hosted by Bryan Museum founder J.P. Bryan, who has given much of his Texana collection to the museum, and the museum’s Delegados Associate Board. Bryan and Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski shared remarks on the museum with the crowd that helped raise $100,000 for it.

Who: James A. Baker III, Pat Oxford, Jim Ware, Welcome Wilson Jr., Mike O’Leary, Geoff Connor, Joanne King Herring, Joan and George McLeod, Rebecca Jaworski, Ken Wise, June Deadricks, Cynthia and Wiley George, Lindsay and Blake McCrory, Alex McLeod, Ron Franklin, Shafik Rifaat, Tony Bradfield, Susan and John Schouest, Susan Noe Wilson, and The Houstonian’s Steve Fronterhouse.