Raymond Walley was a chemist by profession and an archaeologist by avocation. Founder of the Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (the precursor of the Brazosport Archaeological Society), he was an enthusiastic leader in the local archaeological endeavours for over twenty years, especially during the 1950's and 1960's.
Initially, the main purpose of the Gulf Coast Archaeological Society was to gain knowledge of the Karankawa Indians who lived in the Brazosport area more than 400 years ago--and were still present when the first Anglo colonists arrived. His work in this museum was original and focused the attention of Texas archaeologists on Brazosport for the first time. Later work involved sites in Fort Bend, Wharton and Harris Counties.
A man gifted in inspiring the young, he organised and led two clubs of junior archaeologists, many of whom participated in local explorations, following established professional procedures.
He was a founder of the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and served on its Board of Directors and as a Trustee. He was the museum's first Curator of Archaeology. In 1974, the museum established the Raymond Walley Memorial Scholarship at Brazosport College.
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Raymond Walley |