a major award

2 Houston institutions awarded national medals for museums and libraries

The Children's Museum celebrated its victory.

Courtesy of Children's Museum Houston

For the first time ever, a city has claimed both the top museum and library prizes from the prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Children’s Museum Houston and the Harris County Public Library (HCPL) are two of the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor in the field. This is also the first win for the city since 1997.

“IMLS is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum in a statement. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!”

Founded by parents in 1980, Children’s Museum Houston is a world-class facility that houses 83,000-square-feet of educational interaction including science labs, the famous Kidtropolis occupational learning street, cultural outreach exhibits, and craft sections. It was nominated for the medal by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Dr. Tricia Zucker of UTHealth Children’s Learning Institute, Paul Martin of Arizona State University, and Kristi Rangel of Gulf Coast Workforce Board for its many collaborations with universities, hospitals, and other Houston institutions to create content for its more than 700,000 annual visitors.

“Winning the IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service alongside Harris County Public Library is a remarkable achievement for the children and families of Houston,” said Children's Museum Houston CEO Rayanne Darensbourg. “For the Museum this award symbolizes our success in ensuring that every family has access to the best science, technology, engineering, math, literacy, cultural, and art exhibits and programming — equipping children to dream big and reach their fullest potential. Together, with Harris County Public Library, we have made history, and together, we will continue to inspire, educate, and empower generations to come.”

Lee was joined by fellow Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher in nominating the Harris County Public Library. The award highlights the amazing strides toward equity the library has made over the years. Using grants from the Emergency Connectivity Fund to provide laptops and 5G hotspots for 70,000 residents without internet access. It’s part of a much larger set of programs that do outreach for low income, incarcerated, non-English speaking, and other residents who may have trouble accessing public services for work or school.

“It is truly gratifying to be recognized by the Institute of Museum and Library Service for the work we do to strengthen communities in Houston and Harris County,” said HCPL Executive Director Edward Melton. “This award is a ringing validation of our belief that public libraries and children museums should be a driving force for positive change. HCPL and CMH are committed to identifying and meeting the ever-evolving needs of all the communities we serve.”

awards

Camp Mystic News

Camp Mystic proposes selling property as part of bankruptcy plan

Camp Mystic Files For Bankruptcy As First Anniversary Of Deadly Floods Approaches

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Ribbons honor Camp Mystic flood victims and families.

The owners of Camp Mystic have proposed selling off the riverfront property as part of a bankruptcy plan, with hopes that a buyer will preserve the camp's “historic mission” following the death of 27 campers and counselors swept away by a 2025 flood.

The century-old private Christian girls' camp filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan on September 25 that would auction off the 749 acres (3 square kilometers) it owns and other assets.

The sprawling campus, nestled among rolling wooded hills on the banks of the Guadalupe River, had several single-story cabins that housed some of the youngest campers and a recreation hall near the riverfront. A second campus on elevated ground was not flooded.

The Eastland family has owned the camp for decades and initially sought to reopen this summer. But they faced fierce opposition from victims’ families and some state lawmakers, lawsuits, and legislative investigations into what went wrong.

A buyer would likely get a portion of the camp frozen in time. Families of the victims have fought to stop any demolition of damaged cabins and buildings and stop repairs as part of their lawsuits.

The bankruptcy plan said the owners expect a purchaser would be backed by a group of families that support the camp.

“Nothing in the plan requires any buyer to operate the property as a camp,” the filing said, “but the plan states an express preference, in determining the highest or otherwise best bid, for a buyer that will maintain the historic mission of the camp.”

Twenty-five campers and two counselors were killed when the river surged over its banks in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, 2025. Camp owner and director Richard Eastland was also killed. At least 136 people were killed along a several-mile stretch of the river.

Earlier this month, state police investigators sought search warrants for the electronic communications of the camp's owners, saying they could provide evidence of manslaughter, negligent homicide, child abandonment, or other crimes.

No charges have been brought.

A probe by state lawmakers determined the camp’s young and inexperienced counselors were not trained for floods and other emergencies. It said an earlier decision to evacuate could have saved every life. Most of the victims were under age 10, and some were attending camp for the first time.

The camp's bankruptcy proposal would have to be approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. Officials with Camp Mystic did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Monday.

All creditors, including the families who have sued Camp Mystic over the deaths, will have a chance to respond to the plan.

“The Eastlands are now attempting to determine the future of the Camp Mystic property, but the victims' families including my clients, will fight to protect their rights and ensure any sale is fair and transparent,” said Tim Ferguson, attorney for the family of 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker, one of the campers who died.

“The Bakers intend to continue fighting for answers, accountability and justice for their daughter,” Ferguson said.

bankruptcy chapter 11 deaths eastland family guadalupe river richard eastland texas flood victims families negligent homicide for sale real estate hill country campers killed camp mystic flood