Howard Payne University’s historic Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom has begun welcoming groups to tour the newly renovated facility. Reopened in August 2023, the Academy has since hosted groups from organizations such as Early ISD, the Junior 20th Century Book Club and Brownwood’s chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
HPU’s Sumners Scholars held an event for Early High School seniors, which included a tour of the building, during which the Sumners Scholars highlighted major milestones in the development of freedom principles from Greek democracy to the U.S. Constitution. Brownwood’s Junior 20th Century Book Club held its last meeting of 2023, enjoying sack lunches and a self-guided tour. Brownwood’s DAR chapter held its September meeting during Constitution Week in the Academy’s Independence Hall room.
Home of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, the university’s multidisciplinary honors program, the Academy of Freedom building underwent a major renovation to revitalize the facility for use by the university’s students, personnel and visitors. Commemorating the Honors Academy’s founding ideals, the facility’s central gallery houses HPU’s statue of General MacArthur and a special collection of artifacts related to his distinguished military career.
“We are incredibly excited about this great project and all the ways these revitalized spaces will serve both our students and our community,” said Dr. Matthew McNiece, director of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, professor of history and government and department chair. “I hope this building can be an icon and a point of pride for not just Howard Payne but also for Brownwood and Brown County for a long time to come.”
For more information on scheduling a small-group self-guided tour, please contact Terrie Wells at twells@hputx.edu. Future announcements will be made when expanded tour opportunities are available.
