"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
The 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.
FUTURE
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:
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. |
|
|
