The Brown County Museum of History has named Mariann and Rex Tackett honorary chairs for its 2026 gala, recognizing the retired Wendlee Broadcasting co-owners for decades of community involvement and support for local causes.
The dinner is scheduled for 5:00 on September 12 and will benefit the museum’s Educational Programs for Children. The event will honor the Tacketts for their dedication to the community, according to an August 5 press release from the Brown County Museum of History published by KOXE.
A gala built around Brown County history
This year’s theme is “1880s: When the West Was Wild.” The evening will include dinner, entertainment and live music, with guests invited to dress in western attire. Museum officials described the annual gala as a major fundraising event for the organization’s children’s educational programming.
“A light-hearted look at the Old West is the perfect time to celebrate the Tacketts—Rex is known for his sense of humor and bringing fun into all events,” Museum Director Kyndall Howard stated.
Jane Rodgers, the museum gala chairman, said the event will also provide an opportunity to thank the couple for their sponsorship and support of activities across the community.
“Their unwavering assistance in sponsoring and supporting many facets of our town is so important to recognize. The evening of the Gala is an opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation,” says Museum Gala chairman Jane Rodgers.
Longtime broadcasting and community ties
Mariann and Rex Tackett recently retired as co-owners of Wendlee Broadcasting. Their careers in broadcasting, advertising, radio-station sales and management spanned a combined 98 years.
The couple returned to Brownwood in 2001 to operate the Wendlee Broadcasting group of stations. Before coming home, they owned and operated The Wicks Radio Group, which included 19 radio stations across the country.
Mariann is a Brownwood native, while Rex is from Cross Plains. The couple lives in Brown County. In the museum’s announcement, Rex said they feel fortunate to be in the region.
“We feel blessed to be in the heart of Texas,” Rex says.
Mariann said the couple viewed community involvement as an important responsibility during their broadcasting careers and made supporting local nonprofit organizations and causes promoted by their stations a priority.
“We believed in the importance of being part of the fabric of the communities we served. We made it a priority to support local causes and non-profit organizations covered by our radio stations,” Mariann stated.
Tickets and museum information
Table sales for the “1880s: When the West Was Wild” gala are open to the public. Residents seeking more information or wanting to purchase tickets directly can contact Kyndall Howard at 325-641-1926 or visit browncountymuseum.org.
The Brown County Museum of History is a 501(c)3 organization that offers family-friendly exhibits and programs covering geology, art, music, history and literature. The museum also preserves historical artifacts.