Former Texas House Speaker honored at Star of the Republic Museum exhibit reception
Gus Mutscher recognized for his contributions to museum, Blinn College
March 10, 2017
From left: Houston McGaugh, Director of the Star of the Republic Museum; Susan Myers, Executive Director of the Blinn College Foundation; Gus Mutscher; Dr. Mary Hensley, Blinn College District President/CEO; and David Sommer, President of the Blinn College Board of Trustees.
Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and long-serving Washington County judge Gus Mutscher recently was honored at the annual Star of the Republic Museum exhibit reception.
Mutscher was recognized in the presence of approximately 90 guests for his involvement in creating the Star of the Republic Museum, as well as his commitment to Blinn College. To commemorate his support, a bronze plaque was dedicated in his honor and mounted in front of the museum.
“Gus Mutscher’s incredible friendship to Blinn College and the Star of the Republic Museum has had a tremendous impact on education in the State of Texas,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Blinn College District President/CEO. “This recognition is just a small token of our deep appreciation of all he has done for Texas community colleges and the preservation of Texas Republic history.”
Born in the Washington County community of William Penn, Mutscher graduated from Brenham High School and attended Blinn on a baseball scholarship. He served as Blinn’s student body president and a member of the debate team before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
In 1960, Mutscher won election to the Texas House of Representatives, representing Austin, Burleson, Lee, Waller, and Washington counties. During his six-term tenure in the Texas House, Mutscher chaired several major legislative committees and served as Speaker during the 61st and 62nd legislative sessions. He gave strong support to Texas junior college programs and worked to support the preservation and interpretation of Texas history by the state’s museums.
Following his stint in the Texas House, Mutscher was appointed in 1976 to fill a vacancy as the county judge of Washington County – a position he held for 14 years. Mutscher, who currently resides in Brenham, assisted in the creation of the Blinn College Alumni & Friends Association and Hall of Honor and continues to actively support the Blinn College Foundation.
“Mr. Mutscher had many great accomplishments while serving as an elected official,” said Houston McGaugh, Star of the Republic Museum Director. “He strived to advance the state’s higher education system to a level of national prominence and was instrumental in the construction of the Star of the Republic Museum. If it were not for Mr. Mutscher, the museum would not exist.”
The reception for Mutscher coincided with the opening of the museum’s newest exhibit, “Heirloom Genealogy: Tracing your Family Treasures.” The 30-piece exhibit, which will remain open through February 15, 2018, examines the historical and genealogical roots of artifacts donated to museum over the past decades.
Star of the Republic Museum was created by the Texas Legislature and is administered by Blinn College as a cultural and educational institution. Its purpose is to collect and preserve the material culture of the Texas Republic from 1836-1846 and to interpret the history, cultures, diversity and values of early Texans. Operating hours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Star of the Republic Museum is located off Highway 105 between Brenham and Navasota on FM 1155 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. For more information, call 936-878-2461 or visit: www.starmuseum.org.
