The Grace Museum

Mission:

The Grace Museum builds connections through new experiences in art, science and history within the evolving Texas story through exhibitions, programs and collections.

History:

The Grace Museum maintains a unique position among West Texas attractions. Housed in a historically significant 105 year-old building, The Grace Museum is recognized as an asset for its cultural heritage as well as its educational opportunities. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), The Grace conforms to the highest operational and professional standards. The museum is dear to the people of Abilene, and is respected throughout the state for its outstanding exhibitions and programs.

The historic building that currently houses The Grace Museum was built in 1909 as the Grace Hotel, a large full service hotel and the finest located on the railroad line between Fort Worth and El Paso. The hotel was renamed The Drake in 1946 and flourished until the 1960s as downtown Abilene declined, and as passenger train travel greatly diminished. The hotel closed permanently in 1973. By the 1980s the building was in ruin and inhabited by rats, vagrants, and cats. In the 1980s a group of visionaries sought to restore downtown Abilene beginning with the historic Paramount Theater.