Kerrville museum’s garden to honor flood victims

The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, April 10, at noon at the Museum of Western Art to officially open its July 4, 2025, Tribute Garden.

The garden honors victims of the July 4, 2025, flood, as well as first responders and others affected by the disaster.

Darrell Beauchamp, executive director of the museum, said the project was initiated by the museum’s board shortly after the flood.

“Immediately after the tragic flood last year, we wanted a way to honor those affected,” Beauchamp said. “Our board decided the entranceway to the museum would be a perfect location to create a tribute garden to honor the victims, those affected by the flood and the hundreds of first responders who came to help. Visitors come here from around the globe and will now be able to pause and reflect on what this community endured and the resilience that has followed.”

The garden incorporates several natural elements, including cypress beams, benches and river rock sourced from floodwaters in Center Point. It also features floodwood cedar “cookies” engraved with each victim’s name and native plantings installed by the Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program, with assistance from the Texas Hill Country Master Gardeners.

A water feature using recycled water symbolizes flowing water, and a carved limestone plaque explains the garden’s significance. Beauchamp said the project was supported by numerous sponsors, who are recognized with signage near the entrance.

The ceremony will begin with a blessing by Dr. Bill Blackburn, followed by remarks from Beauchamp.

“We were fortunate that the museum had no physical damage from the flood, but like everyone, we mourn the tremendous loss of life and the aftermath of damage that will linger for years,” Beauchamp said. “When we notice people walking through this garden, pausing to read the names and embracing the quiet solitude we’ve created, we know this effort has succeeded.”

The garden is open to the public during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Museum of Western Art is located at 1550 Bandera Highway in Kerrville.