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Victoria College’s Museum of the Coastal Bend

Victoria College’s Museum of the Coastal Bend will host three free lectures this fall as part of the John W. Stormont Lecture Series. The series will explore regional history, archaeology and VC’s 100th anniversary, with lectures scheduled on Sept. 25, Oct. 23 and Nov. 6.

Making of a Pirate
On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, from 12:15 to 1 p.m., Dr. Karen Hagan, History Instructor at Victoria College, will lead a lecture titled “Making of a Pirate: The Dramatic Story of a Junior College’s Second 50 Years.” Hagan will explore the years 1975–2025, examining key moments in the college’s recent history.

In conjunction with the lecture, the museum will feature a temporary exhibit showcasing memorabilia from Victoria College’s 100-year history. The exhibit will run from Sept. 17-27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regional Archaeology Update
On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., the Coastal Bend Archaeological Logistics Team will present a regional archaeology update. The team, made up of experienced avocational archaeologists and Texas Historical Commission Archaeological Stewards, will discuss preservation work and recent discoveries at sites throughout the region.

The Mystery at Fivemile Creek
On Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., Glenn Dives, Exhibits & Collections Manager, will present “The Mystery at Fivemile Creek.”  The lecture will introduce a new component of the museum’s permanent exhibits featuring a brass gorget found at Fivemile Creek in DeWitt County, exploring questions of European contact and Native American trade in North America.

The John W. Stormont Lecture Series is named after the former VC dean who served alongside President Dr. J.D. Moore beginning in 1949. 

The museum is located on VC’s Main Campus at 2200 E. Red River Street in Victoria. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, visit MuseumOfTheCoastalBend.org.