Visiting Bryan/College Station

Bryan/College Station prides itself on being a community grounded in traditions but eager to embrace the future.

The cities of Bryan and College Station (“BCS”) are located in Central Texas at the heart of the Texas Triangle made up of Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. BCS brings together history and high tech. The charming historic Bryan downtown is home to a massive world-class data protection center. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is just around the corner from the Research Valley Biocorridor, home to the largest federal center for vaccine manufacturing. The community is also home to expansive facilities where thousands from around the world come to train in firefighting, emergency medical response and homeland security.

The 140 year old Texas A&M campus with its rich history and traditions is one of the world’s leading research institutions with expertise in engineering, agriculture, animal health, energy and the biosciences. Texas A&M which began in 1876 as an all-male campus with required military training now has a vibrant and diverse student population of 58,500.

The community strives to recognize and remember those who have served their country and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. There is a shared desire to pursue innovation and advancements that will positively impact lives around the world. It is a community where every visitor can expect to be greeted with a smile and a “Howdy.”

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION MILITARY HISTORY ATTRACTIONS

• • The George Bush Presidential Library & Museum includes an area dedicated to the history of World War II with a restored 1944 TBM Avenger, just like the aircraft Bush flew as a Navy pilot and a flight simulator where you can try your hand at landing the TBM on the deck of the San Jacinto. The Presidential Museum also features interactive displays and fiber optic maps detailing the events surrounding the battles in the Gulf War and recorded stories from some of the servicemen that were in the middle of the action.

• The Sanders Corps Center is also housed on the Texas A&M University campus. It depicts the Corps of Cadets from its beginning in 1876 to today and houses informative displays as well as a library of over 3,000 military research volumes.
• Texas A&M University’s Cushing Memorial Library is also an important resource for those interested in military history. The Library’s Cooper K. Ragan Military History Collection is comprised of nearly 30,000 volumes spanning military history from the American Civil War through and including the Gulf War, but concentrating most heavily on the twentieth century (from the Spanish-American war through the Gulf War).
• The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial is one of the most extensive veterans’ memorials in the country. This beautiful and unique 12 acre memorial park commemorates the sacrifices of veterans during each of the conflicts in our nation’s past. A walking path through a forested shaded area tells our nations’ military history through a series of 22 historical interpretive panels and statues. The 9-11 memorial includes an actual steel beam from the World Trade Center.
• The Museum of the American G.I. is a living history museum dedicated to preserving the equipment, uniforms and memories of all American servicemen and women. It is home to one of the finest collections in the U.S. of restored, running WWI, WWII and later era military vehicles including a WWI FT-17 tank, WWII Sherman tanks, M18 Hellcats and various other tanks as well as historic uniforms and equipment.

The Research Valley Partnership (RVP) serves as the catalyst of economic development in the Bryan and College Station region, connecting community, university and industry, and building upon the foundation of the Texas A&M’s global expertise in engineering, agriculture, animal health, energy and the biosciences.

The Partnership operates under the ethos of ImpactLife™ by giving priority to projects and initiatives that bring both economic and social impact—locally and globally—impacting life for the greater good.

RVP has forged close relationships with the Wallonia region of Belgium which has resulted in the expansion of Belgian companies to the Bryan-College Station area as well as the creation of start-up companies harnessing Belgian and American technology and ideas.

RVP’s Venture Virtual Office makes doing business between Texas and Europe easier. Texas companies interested in targeting Europe for expansion and attracting foreign investment can benefit from the Office’s connection to elite research institutions and business partners. Belgian companies can receive personalized services to help them explore U.S. market opportunities or even establish a Texas presence.