The La Vernia Historical Association

La Vernia Heritage Museum

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"The Merchants of Chihuahua Street"

The La Vernia Heritage Museum opens a duo of exhibits on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, at Noon.  

The "Merchants of Chihuahua Street" is an educational exhibit about the community's historic district.  The old main street of La Vernia was named after the 1850's silver trade route, the Chihuahua Road, which ran from Indianola, Texas to Chihuahua, Mexico, sometimes passing through the La Vernia area.  Emigrants from Europe often traveled the Chihuahua road, seeking new homes in Texas.  The exhibit provides a glimpse of the rural town's businesses along the old main street from the late 1800s to the 1970s.  An old, wooden floor gives the feeling of being in the old Schraub General Merchandise Store, in the center of Chihuahua Street.  The twelve panels of images and artifacts help the visitor understand how one main street can bring a community together, during wars, the Depression, fires, and simple, rural life. 

The exhibit will be open throughout 2008.

   

 "Historic Valentines"  This exhibit shows the museum's collection of wedding photos of local couples, married prior to 1958.  "Historic Valentines" will be on display during the month of February and for a while later. 

The museum is located on Highway 87 and FM 775 in the old, red brick firehouse building.  It is operated by volunteers from the La Vernia Historical Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

HOURS
1st and 3rd Sundays of each month
Noon to 3:00 PM

And By Appointment. 
Groups welcome; please make arrangements in advance.  Thank you.
Or visit us on a whim; call us - we live close by!
830-779-7095

Permanent museum collections include:


La Vernia Volunteer Fire Dept.
Featuring the original 1890s pumper cart used to fight fires in La Vernia, fire fighting equipment and a six minute video about the rescue of the pumper cart  -- from barn rafters.
 

Suttles Pottery
T
he pottery of George & Isaac Suttles, Union soldiers who settled in La Vernia to create their utilitarian art.  Murder ended one of their lives.  1870s to early 1900s

Holy History
Selected items from the museum's popular 2007 exhibit.

Train Track Trails
Photos and 15 minute video tell about life in La Vernia when the train ran through here.


Admission is free.  Donations are appreciated.

La Vernia Heritage Museum
the first public museum in La Vernia
The Heritage Museum
is located in the old
firehouse building
on Highway 87 and FM 775
in the center of
La Vernia
We hope to see YOU soon!

         

PERMANENT EXHIBITS

Photo Rodeo
Bring us your photos of La Vernia people, places and events.  We will scan them for our permanent archives and return your photo on the spot!  No charge.  (donations are always appreciated)

"I Remember Mueller Bridge"
Commemorating the Mueller Bridge, recently named one of Texas' Most Endangered Historical Sites by Preservation Texas.   

Suttles Pottery
In the 1870s, two Union soldiers came to Texas following the war.  They were potters.  See their utilitarian art, and discover how these two men helped shaped the community of Lavernia, and South Texas.

La Vernia's Volunteer Fire Dept.
See the original 1890s firefighting equipment and learn how soda ash helped save lives.


F
UTURE EXHIBITS
Future exhibits will interpret the impact of our hard-working La Vernia citizens on our county, our state, our country and our world.  We are planning exhibits about our:  Schools, churches, students, civic organizations, cemeteries, businesses, stock shows, family traditions, government, occupations, veterans, farming life, floods, sports, buildings, melting-pot settlers, and more.

Friends of the Museum
The La Vernia Heritage Museum is entirely dependent on donations and gifts from generous people such as you.  The cornerstone of our museum is the
Friends of the Museum.  Members at every level are much appreciated.  Levels include:
Solution Graphics

Founders - $500 Lifetime membership*

Benefactors - $250 annually*

Patrons - $100 annually*

Pioneer - $50 annually*

Legend - $25 annually


*includes a free, personalized, engraved brick in the Local Legends pathway. 

To join by mail:  Make checks payable to the La Vernia Historical Association Museum Account and mail to LVHA, PO Box 513, La Vernia, TX 78121. 

Thank you! 


DOCENTS (MUSEUM GUIDES)
The La Vernia Heritage Museum is creating a docent training program  to help lead groups and provide tours of the museum.  The training program will equip volunteers with the information and expertise necessary to tell  museum visitors about the collections and artifacts on exhibit.  The docents will not only learn together, but will enjoy special field trips and luncheons.   If you would like to be a part of this fun group, please contact Docent Chairman, Joyce Beck at 830-779-1045.



Local artists working in the museum during the annual Chihuahua Trail Art Show, held in November.  For more info, click here.

TO ALL LA VERNIA VETERANS
The La Vernia Heritage Museum is collecting the name and branch of service of each and every veteran in the general La Vernia area. We include all names in our publication and on this website.  The publication includes the name of the veteran and the branch of service only.  The book memorializes local veterans who lived in this area, whether living or deceased, active or retired, from any time period, war or conflict, whether or not the veteran was involved in action.

You or your family may submit the name, branch of service, rank and years of service of any veteran from the general La Vernia area to the La Vernia Historical Association, P. O. Box 513, La Vernia, TX  78121.   Sign up lists are available at Bullfrog Books, the La Vernia Heritage Museum, and Sue's Antiques.   Names, including the branch of service, can be submitted via email to email@laverniahistory.com .

To purchase this booklet, The Veterans of La Vernia, visit the La Vernia Heritage Museum, or Bullfrog Books. 

YOU CAN HELP
Your help and input is truly desired.  The La Vernia Heritage Museum wants volunteers who are passionate about La Vernia’s history to plan and set up exhibits, and meet and greet visitors.  100% of our work is done by volunteers.  Your time and donations can help the LVHM tell the fascinating stories which have been waiting for centuries to be revealed.   
Loan us your heirlooms
We are seeking items of interest to La Vernia’s history.  Heirlooms, artifacts and memorabilia can be offered on loan or by donation.  Every single item we accept will be digitally recorded, properly cataloged and handled with professional care.  Protecting your heirlooms is an honor, and our greatest responsibility. 

To offer your item for loan or as a gift, contact Museum Director, Susan Richer at 210-392-3281 or email
HAVING AN ESTATE SALE?
Items your family is ready to sell may be of interest to visitors at the museum.  Please consider allowing us to look through your estate sale for items which are of interest to La Vernia's history.  Old documents, advertising items, photos, household items --these things may be of interest to museum visitors.  Call us at 830-947-3194.

             

We appreciate our website sponsors!  Please visit them often!
  Bullfrog Books and Sue's Antiques
www.Bullfrogbooks.com and www.suesantiques.net

Web site hosting by Alacrity Internet and La Vernia Online, both divisions of Oasis Computers
1-888-688-2833 www.laverniaonline.com