Our Museum

The land that is now Rusk County was home to a number of tribal groups that included Caddo and Cherokee peoples. Artifacts from their daily life are found in our collections.

As Texas became a republic, immigrants from the United States began arriving in the region. Prior to the Civil War, that included enslaved people, some whose proud descendants carry on their stories. A census study of the years 1835-1860 tells some of those stories.

Seeing and touching history in the form of artifacts, objects, tools, and textiles provides a tangible connection to the past. Making history real and present if part of our mission, and our collections reflect the people and places of Rusk County and East Texas.

The lives of our ancestors were not simple or easy. Food came from ground the family plowed. Clothing came from hand sewn cloth, and heat came from wood cut by hand. We strive to honor our ancestors by keeping the alive the memory of all they did to survive and thrive.

The people of Rusk County were no strangers to hard work. There were also innovations and world-wide influences. Clays and kilns gave way to a brick plant, and clearing ground to plant led to a growing timber industry. The discover of lignite coal changed the landscape forever and resulted in archaeological study of what was lost.

Major wars and armed conflicts have claimed the lives of many Rusk County men and women. Those who survived have served with honor and commitment to the ideals of democracy. We honor their memory and their service.