Speakers

Hanna Galloway-Hillestad
Program Manager, Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences
Hanna Galloway-Hillestad is the Program Manager for the Texas A&M Institute for Equine
Sciences, a position she has held since January 2017. In this role, she plays an integral part in the
development and execution of programs that enhance the university’s equine-related initiatives.
Prior to her current role, Hanna gained valuable experience as an administrative assistant to Dr.
Jim Heird, where she further honed her organizational and leadership skills.

Hanna was recognized as an Outstanding Young Professional by the Department of Recreation,
Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University in April 2024 for her outstanding
achievements associated with the Equine Institute and the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56
Equine Complex.

Hanna earned her Master of Science in Recreation and Resources Development in 2019 from
Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, following her Bachelor of
Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences in 2015. During her time at Texas A&M, she
also gained hands-on experience as an intern at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine
Complex, deepening her knowledge of the equine industry.

While at Texas A&M, Hanna was a standout athlete, competing in both track and cross-country
throughout her college years. Her academic and athletic accomplishments were recognized by
her inclusion on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Honor Roll for three consecutive
years. In addition, Hanna was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes (FCA) Collegiate Athlete of the Year Award and the 2015 Collegiate
Character of Excellence Award.

Hanna is a 2011 graduate of Decatur High School where she was a multisport athlete and was
involved with FFA and 4-H.

Today, Hanna remains committed to advancing the Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences,
supporting the growth and development of equine-related programs at the university, and
fostering a positive and impactful environment for students and the broader equine community.

Rachael Altman
Carnegie Library
Rachael Altman will be speaking to us about the Carnegie Library in Downtown Bryan.

For those interested in learning more about the Carnegie Library:

It’s one of the most distinctive buildings in Downtown Bryan. With its neoclassical-revival-style red brick, tall windows, white exterior finishes, and four tall columns climbing the height of the two-story building, it’s certainly the most distinguished looking.

Just inside the double-door entrance are two narrow wooden stairways—one to the right, the other to the left. About ten steps ahead is the central help desk, the heart of the first floor. The space surrounding it is cozy in the best possible sense of the word. Except for a couple of large study tables and some chairs, the entire floor is packed wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with books, photos, art, and historical artifacts, many relating to real estate in the region. Upstairs is more of the same. The building smells pleasantly of old wood and even older books. The atmosphere is conducive to the building’s intended purpose: historical research.

Welcome to the Carnegie History Center.

Originally the Carnegie Public Library, the building is now a repository for rare historical materials (although the name on the structure has not changed). The center’s holdings are astonishing. They include family Bibles, old court records and school records, countless photos and maps spanning the early 19th century through the 20th century, and collections of documents donated by some of the city’s founding families. Some materials document aspects of the area’s history that are unpleasant but no less important. For example, the center has a zoning map from the ’50s showing how schools were segregated and original bills of sale from the slave trade (one written on what appears to be stationary from a London hotel).

Armed with such a rich treasure trove of documents (plus a little time and a lot of patience), even the most amateur history buff could piece together a respectably detailed history of the Brazos Valley, its real estate, and its people. That’s why the library’s resources are used largely for genealogical research.

Learn more about the Carnegie Library here!