The Texas Civil War Museum offers a look at the events surrounding the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865. The building houses artifacts from both the Union and Confederate sides of the war. Spend an afternoon learning about a fundamental chapter in U.S. history as you browse the three different galleries of this large museum.
This non-profit museum has been open since 2006. At over 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters), the museum touts itself as the biggest Civil War museum “west of the Mississippi.” Incredibly, much of its collection is drawn from the belongings of just one person, wealthy oil man Ray Richey. See his wife Judy’s contribution to the museum too, a beautiful selection of well-preserved Victorian dresses.
Explore the different sections of the museum. In addition to a gallery given over to those wonderfully detailed Victorian dresses, you’ll find a general Civil War collection as well as a collection focused on relics of the Confederacy. Along with military uniforms, items on display include weapons, a dress once owned by Winston Churchill’s mother, medical kits and even a cigar belonging to U.S. President and Union General Ulysses S. Grant.
Take a seat in the 75-seat movie theater to watch Our Homes, Our Rights: Texas in the Civil War. This specially commissioned movie tells the story of Texas and the war, and watching it offers more context for understanding the other exhibits.
Note that some of the museum’s exhibits were provided by the organization United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the displays of Confederate flags and other Confederate imagery will be uncomfortable for some.
Adults pay an admission fee to enter the Texas Civil War Museum, but children aged 6 and under come in for free. Group discounts are also available. Book a tour in advance to get the best experience out of your visit. The museum suggests giving 2 weeks’ notice for tours if possible.
Visit the museum any day except for Mondays, Sundays and major holidays.
