The original Alamo building is fashioned from a railroad boxcar and exhibits a number of displays similar to those from the Alamo shrine in San Antonio, Texas, such as a list of the defenders, portraits of the key players during the fall of the Alamo, a diorama of the fort as it was March , 1836.. This collection is for the benefit of those children and adults who have not traveled to San Antonio, that they might envision this historical event.
Railroad paraphernalia is also included in this building which will be moved to a historical “Cotton Belt” railroad car that has been donated to the museum.
Within this facility is our western bar which is used during events to serve food with a western flavor.
Did you know that Texas once had over 2000 pirates? Learn a little about them in our soon-to-be completed “ship” that displays artifacts and information on our seacoast and its fascinating history. Children who have not played in our sandy beaches can view our state seashells and other animals that reside there. Photos of the old wooden Galveston lighthouses of the turn of the century are also featured.
The wheelhouse contains the working instruments, navigation charts, captain’s license, and other ship items that belonged to the late Captain “Hank” Henry Ashby of Mt. Vernon.
THE “BONNIE & CLYDE” BARRACKS
Elvis “greets” you as you enter here. It is a little known fact that he sang and played 20 miles from the museum at the Mt. Pleasant Opera House.
Our “Bonnie & Clyde” barracks houses a number of local primitive pieces, a small natural history section, and a working whiskey still that came out of a display in the Texarkana Federal Building. Information is being gathered on the area’s local moonshiners and also the infamous outlaws escapades within a 20 mile radius of the museum.
The original Mount Vernon High School crest is on display along with old high school literature and photos that will eventually be housed in a separate school house building.
Enter into a cabin atmosphere of 100 years ago and get a look at the butter making, bathing, clothes washing and thread making that our ancestors labored so many hours over.
THE CANDLE MAKING CABIN
This little cabin is for the children. Here small groups may experience the old fashioned candle dipping method and create a candle to take home with them.
Local state representative hopeful Kirby Hollingsworth completed our 32 foot stage in time for our first annual Blue Grass Festival. The only such outdoor facility in this county. Musicals, skits, meetings …… it’s all happening here in the great East Texas outdoors.