Send us a text

In this episode of Unboxing History, co-hosts Christine Hopkins and Jodi Wright-Gidley unbox a special artifact from the Galveston County Museum: a portrait of the pioneering meteorologist Dr. John Freeman. They discuss Dr. Freeman's contributions to meteorology, including his work with the U.S. Weather Bureau and the founding of the Weather Research Center. Special guest Dr. Hal Needham, also known as Hurricane Hal, provides expert insights into the historical weather instruments on exhibit and compares past and present meteorological practices. The episode explores the history of weather forecasting, the impact of historical storms like the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, and the importance of learning from history to prepare for future weather events. The museum features a recreated 1940s weather forecasting office and a variety of meteorological tools, underscoring the evolution of weather science.

Thank you for listening to Unboxing History, presented by the Galveston County Museum.
For more information, visit our website.

History of the Galveston County Museum
The Galveston County Museum was formed in 1976. It was located on Market Street for many years. After Hurricane Ike damaged the HVAC and electrical systems in 2008, the unharmed artifacts were moved. Now, the museum is located in the Galveston County courthouse building at 722 Moody/21st Street in Galveston.

​Galveston County Museum is a joint project of the Galveston County Commissioners Court and Galveston County History, Inc. The museum cares for a collection of 20,000 artifacts and archives. We also maintain the Historical Commission's library. If you are interested in research or donating an artifact related to Galveston County history, please call 409.766.2340.

Follow us on Facebook
Follow up on Instagram