FAQs: "Did y'all move???"

"Did y'all move? You used to be over by the train depot!" Our staff hear this question/statement a lot at the Visitor Center inside the Simon Theater, and we thought it was about time to clarify the situation for you. Here’s the scoop…

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is located on Austin Street, just one block south of Downtown Brenham, next to the old train depot and across the street from Van Dyke Rankin and Schleiders Furniture. The Chamber has been in this location for over half a century and it is still our headquarters where Chamber Member services are handled along with economic development, real estate, rental listings, relocation info and more. The staff are there Monday through Friday providing answers to myriad questions about area businesses and events.

Washington County Chamber &
Economic Development Foundation

Additionally, the Chamber has a department called the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). Up until a couple years ago, the Chamber building housed the CVB, but at the end of 2010 the CVB staff moved into the first floor of the renovated Simon Theater (phase one only - the rest of the building still has a ways to go!) on Main Street in Downtown Brenham.

Brenham/Washington County Visitor Center
located at 115 West Main St in downtown Brenham

When you stroll down Main Street you should spot the Simon Theater marquee. On the corner is Independence Coffee and next door is the Brenham/Washington County Visitor Center with the restored Simon Theater lobby in between. The Visitor Center invites people from all over to come in for area information, visitor guides, maps, and brochures on other areas of Texas. We also have postcards, magnets and other fun little gifts for sale. The Visitor Center is home to three full-time staff members handling the operations of the Visitor Center, the CVB website, advertising, public relations, and group contact for promoting Brenham & Washington County as a tourist destination. 

Anyone still confused? The best way to think of it is this: the Chamber headquarters on Austin Street handles the business side of Washington County. The CVB, a department of the Chamber, is now on Main Street where we handle the entertainment side of Washington County. 

Make sense? We hope so! But if it's still confusing and you end up at the Visitor Center looking for a relocation packet, that's okay! We typically have enough information about the area at both locations to help residents and visitors.  In case you are needing something more specific, we will happily point you in the right direction for the rest. :-)

See you soon!

Jenny Mills
Visitor Center & Website Manager
Brenham/Washington County Chamber-CVB