Texas Surf Museum

About the Museum

The Texas Surf Museum is where surf enthusiasts come to reflect on the joy of surfing and the curious come to learn about the sport. Both get to learn about the uniqueness of the Texas Gulf Coast surfing scene, past and present.

We are defined by our generous donors, business sponsors, and volunteers who have given countless hours to the museum to make us what we are today.

Surfers and supporters from all around Texas have donated valuable treasures and artifacts to the museum, including significant surfboards, trophies, magazine collections, rare photographs, vintage surf clothing and more.

Our top priority is providing the public with the opportunity for education and to experience the surfing lifestyle and history that is unique to the Lone Star State. It is your interest, enthusiasm and generous support that keeps the Texas Surf Museum going and growing!

The Texas Surf Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Texas Surf Museum is located in the original Printing Annex of the 1893 Galveston Daily News building, a landmark in the historic downtown district at 2110 Mechanic St. in Galveston, Texas

The museum has nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of space with three separate levels that are open to the main room on the first floor. The main room includes exhibits highlighting the history of surfing in general and specifically in Texas. This room showcases historic photographs, vintage surfboards, skateboards, trophies, and memorabilia from early competitions.

The second level serves as a space for other permanent exhibits, rotating exhibits, traveling exhibits from other museums and educational exhibits related to surfing and ocean conservation.

The third level has surf art exhibits, and a library of surf books and magazines.  There is seating to enjoy vintage film footage showcasing this history of surfing in Texas and other educational videos.  This space can also be reserved as a meeting space for educational programs, guest speaker events or a special event area.

The museum strives to provide a comfortable and safe environment for all of our visitors to learn about the unique culture and history of surfing in Texas.

In the Beginning

Our Founder – Albert Brown was born and raised in Houston, Texas.  Al started surfing at Surfside in 1965 at the age of seven.  Taught by his older brother who had to take Al along when he borrowed their mom’s station wagon.  Al joined the Navy in 1975, traveling the South Pacific fueling jets on the USS Midway and surfing in the Philippines and Japan.  He loves to travel, continuing to surf anywhere, including California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Hawaii.

Being an avid surfboard collector for over 35 years and acquiring Texas coast memorabilia for more that ten years gave Al the desire for a surf museum in Galveston.  In January 2020, Al and a few other passionate Texas surfers wanted a museum located in Galveston, the birthplace of surfing in Texas. They worked tirelessly on the idea until sufficient interest was generated and enough funds were raised to move forward.

Al proudly served as President of the Executive Board until the museum opened to the public mid-February 2025.  Now Al, serves as the historian and curator on the Texas Surf Museum’s Advisory Board.

The Vision Comes Together

In January 2023 an Executive Board was formed for the Texas Surf Museum, located in Galveston, Texas. A lease was secured on a building in the historic downtown district. The Texas Surf Museum was approved by the IRS as a designated 501(c)(3) organization in late April 2023.

The interior of the building has undergone many upgrades to make it a suitable space for a quality museum.  With the help from our generous supporters, business sponsors and thousands of volunteer hours, the Texas Surf Museum has become an inviting place where visitors can learn about the history of surfing in general and the unique surf culture in Texas.