Congress Avenue Honored at the Austin History Center

The Austin History Center Association exhibit “The Avenue, Austin’s Main Street since 1839” is now open and runs through January 10, 2007.

Congress Avenue is the heart of Austin. It has served as the city’s center of commerce and staged our city’s most soulful demonstrations – from street parties celebrating the end of wars and the new millennia to demonstrations opposing the Vietnam War and supporting civil rights. The Austin History Center Association will present the “The Avenue: Austin’s Main Street Since 1839,” a major exhibit celebrating the history of Congress Avenue at the Austin History Center. The exhibit will feature more than 75 photographs from the acclaimed history center collection.

Congress Avenue has been described as “Gateway to the Capitol and the City,” “Austin’s Main Street,” “The Avenue,” a “royally wide highway” (by Amelia Barr in the 1850s), and “Austin’s Milky Way” (after merchants installed new electric signs over the sidewalks in 1913).

The Austin History Center is located at 810 Guadalupe Street, on the southwest corner of Guadalupe and 9th Streets in downtown Austin. The exhibit is free and open to the public Mon–Wed: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun: 12 noon –6 p.m. (except holidays).