A Christmas Gift from 1905
Rosenberg Treasure of the Month
During the month of December, Rosenberg Library will exhibit an antique flower vase which was given to the library in December 1905 by an anonymous donor.
On December 16, 1905—114 years ago—Galveston Daily News published an article entitled “Flower Receptacle Has Found Its Way Into Rosenberg Library.” The story notes that several days before, a beautiful Japanese-style vase has “appeared” at the library and that the identity of the donor remained a mystery to the staff. Rosenberg Library had only been opened for a year and a half, and during that time, generous residents contributed various decorative items to enhance the attractiveness of the new building. The article noted that fresh flowers were donated on a regular basis and were enjoyed by both the staff and library patrons.
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The flower vase was eventually moved into storage for safe-keeping and became part of the decorative arts collection preserved by the library. The identity of the “Secret Santa” has never been discovered, but more than a century later, this thoughtful holiday gift can still be enjoyed by visitors to the library.
The Treasure of the Month is located on the library’s second floor near the East Entrance. It can be viewed during regular library hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please contact the Museum Office at 409-763-8854 x. 125 or visit the Rosenberg Library’s website.
Rosenberg Library
Rosenberg Library has offered over a century of community service to the Galveston area, and is the oldest public library in Texas in continuous operation. The building itself was dedicated on June 22, 1904, the birthday of its patron, Henry Rosenberg. The Moody Memorial Wing opened in 1971, more than doubling the floor space and allowing for a children’s library, a history center, several galleries to showcase museum collections, and later, a computer lab. The Library accepted its first museum piece shortly after it opened in 1904. Since then, thousands of rare and interesting objects from around the world have been added to the collection. Each month they display a “Treasure of the Month”. Learn more by visiting the Rosenberg Library page and the Gifts of Henry Rosenberg section.
