Red River Valley Museum facts for kids
Red River Valley Museum
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| Established | 1965 |
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| Location | 4600 College Drive Vernon, Texas |
| Type | Local history |
The Red River Valley Museum is a cool place to visit in Vernon, Texas, United States. It's located at 4600 College Drive. This museum is all about the history of the Red River Valley area. It has many interesting exhibits, from ancient dinosaurs to famous people and amazing animals!
Contents
About the Museum
The Red River Valley Museum first opened its doors in 1965. Later, it moved to the campus of Vernon College. The museum is a great spot to learn about local history and science. It also hosts a special art show called the National Juried Art Show.
You can find exhibits about the history of Vernon, Texas, including how the oil industry started in Wilbarger County. The museum also features works by the famous sculptor Electra Waggoner Biggs.
Awesome Exhibits to Explore
The Berry Gallery: History and Science
Step into the Berry Gallery and travel back in time! You can see exhibits that show local history, all the way back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This room has a huge collection of fossils and artifacts from ancient times. These items were found by Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Ray over 25 years of exploring the Red River Valley. They show that people lived in this area more than 10,000 years ago!
As you walk through the Berry Gallery, you'll learn about the history of Wilbarger County. Discover stories about important figures like Quanah Parker and the Doan's family. You can also learn about the yearly Doan's Picnic and the Great Western Cattle Drive. The gallery also covers more recent history, including how farming and oil are important to the area today. You'll also learn about local businesses like Wright Brand Foods (now a Tyson Plant) and Solvay, which makes products from a plant called guar.
The Bond Gallery: Wild Animals from Around the World
Get ready for an adventure in the Bond Gallery! This amazing exhibit features a collection of animals from all over the world. You'll see everything from the tiny Dik-Dik, a small antelope from Africa, to the huge Polar Bear from the Arctic.
This unique collection was given to the museum by William "Bill" Bond. He was a successful rancher who helped start the Red River Valley Museum. The gallery was updated in 2020. It teaches visitors how important it is to protect animals and their homes. You can learn facts about all 130+ animals in this collection. Discover how smart choices by people can help endangered animals grow their populations again.
The Waggoner Gallery: Ranching Life
The Waggoner Gallery tells the story of the Waggoner Ranch. This ranch became one of the largest in the United States, covering over 500,000 acres of Texas land! It was known as the biggest ranch under one fence, stretching across parts of six counties.
In this gallery, you can learn all about the history of ranching in Wilbarger County. You'll discover what it means to be a cowboy and how the Waggoner Ranch grew so big.
Famous Faces from the Area
The museum also celebrates famous people who came from the Red River Valley area.
Jack Teagarden Exhibit
The Jack Teagarden Exhibit features items that belonged to him. Jack Teagarden was a famous jazz musician. His family donated his personal belongings to the museum after he passed away in 1964.
Roy Orbison Memorabilia
You can also find photos and special items from other local celebrities. One of these is the legendary singer Roy Orbison, who was born nearby.
See also
- Museums in North Texas
