IN THE PHOTO:  Marjorie Herrera Lewis addresses those who attended the grand opening of the Tylene Wilson exhibit. (photo courtesy Derrick Stuckly of Brownwoodnews.com)

The grand opening of the Tylene Wilson exhibit at the Brown County Museum of History took place Monday evening.

Wilson coached football in Brownwood in the 1940s during World War II and was the subject of Majorie Herrera Lewis’ novel “When the Men Were Gone.”

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” Lewis said. “Tylene, 117 years after she was born, is now going to be a part of history. I’m just thrilled. This woman right here that you are recognizing is part of who you are. She has Brown County always running through her veins. She loved this place and she did everything she could for her students. She was also encouraging them to read, reading was so important to her students. When I think of how Tylene encouraged people to read, here’s a woman now in 2021 who was born in 1904 and her life ambition was to get kids to read, and she’s still continuing to do so, only now they’re reading about her.”

Wilson’s great-niece Jean VanWaters, and her son Adam, were among those who attended the event.

Read more about the new exhibits and see photos at this link to Brownwoodnews.com.