Articles
The Brenham Heritage Museum recently received a Humanities Texas rural grant to host "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe" on October 3, 2026. The program features dramatic performances of Poe's works—including "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven"—alongside stories from the writer's life and career, offering audiences an introduction to one of American literature's most distinctive voices.
Members of our grants team spoke with Ciera Harris, executive director of the Brenham Heritage Museum, to discuss the upcoming program.
Interview with Executive Director Ciera Harris
What should readers know about the Brenham Heritage Museum and your current speaker series?
The Brenham Heritage Museum, located in Washington County, was established in 1991 as a small local history museum. Our mission is to foster the history, art, culture, and humanities of the Brenham-Washington County region. The museum is conveniently located near the Washington-on-the-Brazos historic site, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836. The museum resides in an early-twentieth-century building that was originally the U.S. Post Office for the City of Brenham.
The Dr. Wilfred Dietrich Speaker Series honors the late Dr. Dietrich, a professor at Blinn College and a key founder of the Brenham Heritage Museum. The series invites professors, educators, and scholars to the museum to give lectures about various topics. Past lectures have included "The German Experience in Washington County, Texas," "Voices of Camptown: Untold Stories from a Freedom Colony Cemetery," and "Spindletop Boom Days." The forthcoming lecture, "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe," will take place on October 3, 2026, and will feature Poe reenactor Campbell Harmon of Yale University, who will explore the life, works, and legacy of the influential writer.
How did the Poe program come about and what has the reception been so far?
The Edgar Allen Poe event is a new type of program created in response to years of community feedback requesting fall- or Halloween-related programming during the month of October. While many people are familiar with Poe's work, few have been exposed to live reenactment. Campbell Harmon is one of the best in the business and, when I reached out to him, he was thrilled about the idea of doing a program in Texas since he has never done one here before. The event has already gained some interest, and we're hoping to pack the venue!
Why do you think it is important to share classic literature through accessible avenues like live performances?
It is important to share literature and performance with audiences so that they have access to this type of educational programming. We are in a rural community, so it is more challenging to find opportunities for entertainment. Our programming allows residents who cannot or do not want to drive long distances to larger cities to access cultural enrichment.
What is something you hope people take away from this program?
I hope people have a greater appreciation for history and find something new that piques their interest. I also hope attendees learn something new, either from the lecture or through the performance, that they connect with deeply and are moved by the emotion of Poe's writings.
What do you find most rewarding about serving a rural community?
Everyone is so appreciative, kind, friendly, and interested in learning. Visitors do not come into the museum with preconceived notions. They are open to new information, and our audiences truly resonate with the lecture series and the other programming we host.
