5 Reasons You Should Visit The Armstrong Browning Library & Museum At Baylor
The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum is where you can find the largest collection of poet Robert Browning's works. And after many years of being called a library, it’s no longer just a “library".” The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum had a recent glow-up in title and added the “museum” to its name. And while the title is quite a mouthful, the museum is small and luxurious. It’s a completely FREE experience in Waco, and I consider it to be one of the most cultural experiences you can have in the city of Waco, Texas.
Quick Facts:
The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum is a completely FREE museum located at Baylor University. This is where you can find the largest collection of works by Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, as well as a collection of historical pieces, fine art, and rare 19th-century research material.
Dr Armstrong was the chair of the English department at Baylor from 1912-1952, and in short…he was obsessed with the poet Robert Browning. He even went to Europe and met Robert and Elizabeth’s only son, Pen Browning.
When Pen Browning died (and there was no will), Robert Browning's works were all auctioned off. Dr. Armstrong acted quickly and got the names of all the purchasers of Robert Browning's works, and then he basically spent the rest of his life fundraising and hunting down all of the works by both Robert Browning and Elizabeth Browning that he could find.
Baylor University was like, “uh, we have to do something cool with all of this stuff” and they built the ornate Robert Browning Library in 1948.
5 Reasons To Visit The Armstrong Browning Library & Museum At Baylor University
1. The Largest Collection of Secular Stained Glass In The World
I know… I wasn’t looking for the “largest collection of secular stained glass in the world” either, but now that I know where it is I’m kind of jazzed about it! The 62 stained glass windows in this building celebrate the poetry of Robert and Elizabeth. Many of them have inscriptions of their poems or plays.
The oldest of these stained glass windows? 1924!! Yep. There are three stained glass windows at the Armstrong Browning Library and Museum that were originally created for the Browning Room in the old Carroll Library. The majority of the windows were made for this building, which was built in 1948.
2. It’s A $50 MILLION Building (Not Counting The Historical Works)
This alone is reason to check it out, because the only other buildings in Waco, TX that cost more than this are the giant Baylor sporting arenas. The Armstrong Browning Library was originally built in 1951 and then underwent a renovation in 1995. If you take the cost of those building materials and put them in today’s dollars, this is a $50 million building on Baylor’s campus.
One of the most stunning parts of this building is the 45-foot-tall dome in the Foyer of Meditation, which is located at the back of the main floor. There’s a 23-carat hand-pressed gold leaf, and the dome takes up the majority of the ceiling space. Photos don’t do it justice. It’s truly breathtaking! It’s surrounded by 8 red levanto marble columns imported from Italy, and centered around a two-ton bronze chandelier.
The velvet-like texture of the dome is because the workmen used thumbprints to press the sheets of gold leaf into the wet plaster. (Tip: be sure to go up to the second floor, because there’s a secret balcony you can step onto to get a close-up look of the gold dome!)
3. Plenty Of Free Parking and Air Conditioning. Say Less.
Sorry, but this is Texas so we get excited about things to do indoors in the hot summers. The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum updated their central air conditioning in 2014, and it’s icy cold in the summers now. A FREE indoor/air conditioned activity in Waco? Score.
There’s also plenty of free street parking on the corner of James and 8th Street. University parking can be a bit tricky, so a free parking situation is a huge perk.
4. Lots Of Rare Furnishings From The 1800s
Let’s say you’re not into historic works by poets and playwrights. Ok, that’s fine! This particular museum is also interesting to visit simply due to the fact that there are so many beautiful pieces of furniture from the 1800s.
You can see Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s writing table, chairs, and letter tray. You can also check out Robert Browning’s desk, chair, ink well, and lamp. There’s valuable jewelry that was owned by the Browning's, a restored John Broadwood and Sons grand piano from 1870, and a Hamadan oriental rug from 1925.
5. The Largest Collection Of Browning Works In The World
And finally, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway): the main reason you should visit the Armstrong Browning Library and Museum is because it’s home to the world’s largest collection of works by Robert Browning’s and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. These are two absolutely remarkable pillars in the poetry and literary world, and being able to access all of their original works right here in the heart of Texas is incredible.
Robert Browning was buried in Westminster Abbey in London (he lies right next to Tennyson), and his wife Elizabeth was buried in Florence. The fact that the majority of their works are in the heart of central Texas, USA, is a bit mind boggling when you stop and think about it for too long.
So don’t think about it for too long! Just go visit it.
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!
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