Carson County Square House Museum facts for kids
Square House Museum
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| Established | 1967 |
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| Location | Elsie St. (SH 207) and Fifth St. Panhandle, Texas |
The Carson County Square House Museum is a cool place to learn about history. It's located in the city of Panhandle, in Carson County, Texas. You can find it where Texas State Highway 207 meets Fifth Street. This special building is the oldest house in Panhandle. It's also recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Carson County, Texas.
Contents
About the Museum Building
The Oldest Home in Panhandle
The main building of the museum is a white wooden house. It was built in the late 1880s. A representative from the Southern Kansas Railway lived there. The wood for the house was brought all the way from Kansas. This makes it the oldest house in the city of Panhandle.
From Home to Museum
Over the years, the house had several different owners. In 1920, it became the home of Oscar L. Thorp, who later became sheriff. It stayed a private home until 1965. Then, the house was moved to its current spot. It was carefully fixed up and opened as a museum in 1967.
Recognized for History
The Square House was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1966. This means it's an important historical place in Texas. Later, in 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Carson County, Texas. This is a list of places important to the history of the whole country.
What You Can See at the Museum
Exploring the Exhibits
When the museum first opened in 1967, it only had the square house. But over time, it grew! Now, the museum has many different buildings and outdoor displays. You can see more than 10,000 items, both inside and outside.
Cool Things to Discover
The museum shows off sculptures and art made by local Native American tribes. You can also explore a real train caboose. There's a windmill, a barn, and even a pioneer dugout shelter. These exhibits help you imagine what life was like long ago. The museum focuses on local history and what's happening now.
Programs for Kids
Since 1999, the Square House Museum has offered a special program. It's called the Line Camp program. This program is for young people aged 7 to 12. For two weeks, kids get to enjoy fun educational and artistic activities. It's a great way to learn and be creative!
How the Museum is Supported
The Carson County Square House Museum gets its money from Carson County. People also give donations to help keep it going. The museum is part of the Texas Association of Museums.
Images for kids
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Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, now Burlington Northern Santa Fe
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Pioneer dugout
