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 explore history and science! It's located in Vernon, a city in Wilbarger County, Texas. The museum helps visitors learn about the local area, from ancient times to today.
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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 has many different exhibits and rooms to explore. It also hosts special art shows for everyone to enjoy.
Inside, you can find exhibits that tell the story of the area. This includes everything from the age of dinosaurs to more recent times. There are even items from famous people who grew up nearby!
Awesome Exhibits to Explore
The Berry Gallery: History and Science
Step into the Berry Gallery and travel back in time! You can see fossils and ancient tools from over 10,000 years ago. These items were found right here in Wilbarger County and the Red River Valley. They were collected by Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Ray over 25 years!
As you walk through the gallery, you'll learn about the rich history of Wilbarger County. Discover stories about important figures like Quanah Parker, a famous Comanche leader. You'll also learn about the Doan's family and their yearly picnic, which is still a tradition today! Find out about the Great Western Cattle Drive, a huge journey where cowboys moved cattle across the land.
The gallery also shows how Wilbarger County has grown. Today, farming and oil are very important to the area. You can also learn about local businesses like Wright Brand Foods and Solvay, which makes products from a plant called guar.
The Bond Gallery: Amazing Animals
Get ready for an adventure in the Bond Gallery, where you'll meet animals from all over the world! Imagine seeing lions, tigers, bears, and many more creatures. This amazing collection was given to the museum by William "Bill" Bond, a successful rancher who helped start the museum.
You'll see animals of all sizes, from the tiny Dik-Dik, a small antelope from Africa, to the giant Polar Bear from the icy Arctic. Learn about where these animals live and what makes them special.
This gallery was updated in 2020. It teaches visitors how important it is to protect animals and their homes. You can discover facts about more than 130 animals and learn how people can help endangered species grow their populations again!
The Waggoner Gallery: Ranching Life
The Waggoner Gallery tells the story of the huge Waggoner Ranch. This ranch started when W.T. Waggoner and his father went on an adventure. It grew to be over 500,000 acres of Texas land, covering parts of six counties! It's known as one of the largest ranches in the United States under one fence.
In this gallery, you can learn all about the history of ranching in Wilbarger County. Discover what it was like to be a cowboy and how the Waggoner Ranch became so famous.
Famous Faces from the Area
The museum also celebrates famous people who came from this area. You can see personal items from Jack Teagarden, a very talented jazz musician. His family donated his belongings after he passed away in 1964. You can also find photos and items from other local celebrities, like the famous singer Roy Orbison.
The museum also has many sculptures by Electra Waggoner Biggs, a well-known artist.
See also
- Museums in North Texas
