Allan Shivers Library and Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Location | 302 N. Charlton Woodville, Texas |
| Type | Shivers historical records Public library |
The Allan Shivers Library and Museum is a special place located at 302 N. Charlton in Woodville. This museum is in Tyler County, Texas. It's a museum that keeps important historical items and memories of Allan Shivers, who was the 37th Governor of Texas. The building is also home to Woodville's public library, where people can borrow books. This historic building is so important that it's recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
The Story of the Museum
Allan Shivers was a very important person in Texas history. He served as the 37th Governor of Texas from 1948 to 1957. Before becoming governor, he was the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He also spent 12 years serving in the Texas State Senate.
Even though he was born in Lufkin, Allan Shivers' family had a home near Woodville. He lived in Woodville during his younger years. Later, his family moved to Port Arthur when he was in high school. Governor Shivers was married to Marialice Shary from Mission, Texas. They had four children together.
The building that houses the library and museum has a long history. It was built in 1881 in a beautiful Victorian style. Its first owner was Robert A. Cruse. Governor Shivers and his wife, Marialice, bought the house in 1963. They then moved it to its current spot.
They hired a famous interior designer named Melanie Kahane to help. She had designed many theaters in New York City. Her job was to help turn the old house into a museum. The museum would hold historical records and special items from the Shivers family's lives. A part of the house was also set aside to become a public library for the community. The museum officially opened in 1966.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has two floors, each with interesting things to explore. The entire second floor is dedicated to the years Allan Shivers was the Governor of Texas. You can learn about his time leading the state.
On the first floor, you can see several special rooms. One is a Victorian parlor, which is like a fancy living room from the past. It's filled with old furniture and items that belonged to the Shivers family. The beautiful carpet in this room was brought all the way from France!
There's also a trophy room. This room displays souvenirs from Governor Shivers' safari trip to Zambia. The museum also has a Rare Books Room. This room holds Governor Shivers' private collection of books. If you want to look at these books, you need to ask a staff member for permission. You can only read them inside the library.
Visiting the Museum
There is an admission fee to enter the museum. You can take a tour to learn more about the exhibits. If you are visiting with a group of more than 10 people, you need to book your visit in advance.
The museum is open six days a week.
- Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
See also
