Find a date and meet us for one of our Semi-annual PAID Formal at Benjamin-Knox Art Gallery and Wine Depot. By popular demand, we will serve Lupe-Tortilla Fajitas. The surprisingly large gallery facility is the National Art Gallery Headquarters of Benjamin Knox, American Artist and Texas Aggie Class of ’90. There are continually changing art exhibits and opportunities for collectors to acquire a Benjamin Knox original work of art or fine art prints. Tour the art gallery while sipping your favorite wine or beer if over 21. Bring your phone because many photo opportunities are available as well as a group photo booth with funny costumes to help you remember good times with friends. Join us for Paid’s final event of the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Winter Semi-Formal
PAID’s Winter Formal will be held on Friday, December 1, 2021! Watch out for Yetis and snow-drifts on your way to the formal as the theme will be winter wonderland! Cocktail attire is recommended and men are encouraged to wear a festive tie. Watch the weather, because Texas Winters can be unpredictable.
Spring Semi-Formal
Paid’s Spring Formal will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022! The theme for this year has not been decided yet, however previous years have featured fun themes like: “May the Fourth be with you!” (Star Wars) and “Cinco-de-Mayo.” Just as in the winter, cocktail attire is recommended and men are encouraged to wear festive ties.
The main building of the gallery is the rebuilt historic College Station train depot. He designed the adjoining buildings in the same colorful train depot style combined with Texas vernacular stonework. Included on the beautifully landscaped facility grounds is railroad memorabilia, featuring a 1905 antique caboose.
Benjamin Knox was drawn to rebuild the College Station train depot because of its historical significance to Texas A&M and the city. Texas A&M was established in 1876 in the Brazos Valley mainly because of the existing available train service. The original location of the depot marked the main entrance to the campus in front of the Academic Building. The train conductor would yell “All out for the college- College Station!” In 1883 a small Victorian structure was built as a depot, and the Southern Pacific Railroad replaced it with a more prominent building in 1900 (which is what the gallery is modeled after). In 1938 the City of College Station became incorporated and derived its name from the College Station Depot. To add historical significance, the event was held at the depot. The use of the automobile eventually replaced passenger train travel, and by 1958, the College Station Depot was no longer in use. It sat dormant until it was destroyed in 1966 due to the widening of Wellborn Road.
Benjamin’s vision of bringing back the depot became a reality in 2001 after six years of intensive research, dedication, and perseverance. It was dedicated by Texas Governor Rick Perry, State Representative Fred Brown, Texas A&M President Ray Bowen, Mayor Lynn McIlhaney, Margaret Rudder (wife of James Earl Rudder), and other distinguished guests.
http://www.benjaminknox.com/gallery-info/about-the-knox-gallery