HILL COUNTRY MUSEUMS

The Hill Country has an abundance of interesting museums focusing on a wide range of historical concentrations. Art, agricultural, pioneer days, artifacts, photographs, books, living exhibits and more.

Many museums have with gift shops and concessions.

Here they are, each museum profiled. Check their current schedule for days and hours of operation. Some will make special arrangements for group tours.

Also check our dedicated profile page in this Portal site for the county and city it is located in to see what else might be of interest in the immediate area when you visit the museum.

Enjoy!

(We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections & digital photos, without compensation.)

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BANDERA

FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUMS: 830-796-3864; 510 13th Street, Bandera. Just 1 block N of Bandera County Court House Bandera, TX 78003. A 40,000-piece collection of old west, pioneer & prehistoric artifacts. www.frontiertimesmuseum.com

BOERNE

BOERNE AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER: 830-249-6007; 102 City Park Road, Boerne, TX 78006. (Just off of Hwy 46, next to the Herff park and the Kendall County Fair Grounds). A non-profit organization established in 1986 to preserve the historic farming implements, tools, and artifacts that were used in the Texas Hill Country for tomorrow's generations to learn from and enjoy. Sat 10a-4p and by appointment. www.agmuseum.org. Email: info@agmuseum.org.

BUCHANAN DAM

BUCHANAN DAM MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER: 512-793-2803; W Hwy 29, Buchanan Dam (SH 29 West of Inks Lake Bridge). Spectacular view of largest of Highland Lakes; in building near dam; telescopes. Houses local chamber of commerce, and museum that features construction of Buchanan Dam, dedicated in 1937 and one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Living history videotape, old photographs, exhibits on area history, Xeriscape garden. Visitors enjoy feeding huge school of fish that congregate below observation deck. Dam is open year round. Visitor Center open seasonally. Free Admission. Daily 9a-5p (closed holidays). Map

BURNET

FORT CROGHAN MUSEUM: 512-756-8281; at 703 Buchanan Drive (Hwy 29W), Burnet, TX 78611; www.fortcroghan.org. info@fortcroghan.org. Established in 1849, Fort Croghan was the third of the first four forts established by the US government to protect settlements from hostile Indians. From 1849 until its decommission in 1853, Fort Croghan was the home to Company C, 8th Inf, USA. (mounted) and eventually became the headquarters of the Second Dragoon Regiment. Today's Fort Croghan is representative of those early days of what was to become Burnet. See the sights and imagine the sounds of the frontier as you visit the blacksmith's shop, the one room school house, the powder house or the stage coach stop. Over 1200 historic artifacts from in and around the Burnet County area. Visit the Texas frontier as it once was. Admission is free. Donations accepted. Open April-Aug, Thur-Sat, 10a-5p. Group tours, call for reservation. Map

HIGHLAND LAKES AIR MUSEUM: 512-756-2226; At Burnet, TX airport. Operated by the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force. Static displays of numerous WWII (and later) aircraft and military vehicles, and wartime memorabilia. Open weekends. Web

CANYON LAKE

HERITAGE MUSEUM OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY: 830-899-4542; 4831 FM 2673 (between Startzville and Sattler), Canyon Lake, Texas 78133 displays on: Native American Artifacts, Early Pioneers including Farm Machinery, the Canyon Dam History, Fossils, Gift Shop, open air picnic area, and the Heritage Garden Trail of native Texas plants. Dinosaur tracks are at the same site. Probably the most prolific site in Texas, in terms of number. These tracks were made during the deposition of the upper part of the Glen Rose Formation roughly 100 million years ago. www.heritage-museum.info

COMFORT

THE COMFORT MUSEUM: 830/995-3807; Comfort, TX. By appointment only. Comfort's pioneer days are remembered here in this home for historical artifacts.

DRIPPING SPRINGS

GALLOPING ROAD COMPOUND AND POKER ALLEY; HARBOR RANCH: 512-469-0716; US 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78664. Admission: $1.50. Texas-made furniture; farm tools; American antiques. Historic Houses: 1850-1860. Guided tours; study clubs.

DR. POUND PIONEER FARMSTEAD HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 512-694-0874; RR 12 at Founders Park, Dripping Springs, TX 78620; 5 acres filled with huge oaks. Grounds were cleared 150 years ago to make way for a log cabin for Dr. Pound's family. This cabin is the centerpiece now of a 6-room house. With restoration completed in 2003, facility improvements and historical preservation projects continue to add to the authenticity of the farmstead. During your visit docents describe early events and activities and answer questions. Tour home and grounds at your leisure. Tue-Thur, Sat, 12 noon-3p, closed in Jan, group appointments available. www.drpoundpioneerfarmstead.com

FREDERICKSBURG

ADMIRAL NIMITZ STATE HISTORIC SITE & NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR: 830-997-4379; 340 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. www.nimitz-museum.org

BAUER TOY MUSEUM: 210-997-9394; 233 E. Main. Open 1-4:30 weekdays and Sunday. Saturday 10-5. Admission by donation. The museum contains 3,000 toys, cars, trucks, lead soldiers, airplanes, boats, dolls, guns, miniature village, a forty-foot diorama of the Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

FORT MARTIN SCOTT: 830-997-9895; Located 2 mi SE of town on Highway 290. On display are artifacts, documents, and fascinating details about trade in bear grease, sugar, rice, and coffee. Managed by the Gillespie County Historical Society. www.geocities.com/dwastwood/fort_martin_scott.html

GISH'S OLD WEST MUSEUM: 830-997-2794; Call for appointment (if he's in, he'll tell you to come on over). 502 N. Milam private museum. Joe Gish has been an avid collector of the old west for many years and has decided to share his museum with enthusiasts. Hours are by appointment. www.curtrich.com/fr.gish.html

THE PIONEER MUSEUM & VILLAGE COMPLEX: 830-997-2835; 325 W. Main St. Created in 1956 when the Historical Society bought the home, smokehouse and barn of Henry Kammlah and turned it into a small museum. Since then six major structures have been added and the museum has frontage on two streets. Includes 1849 pioneer home and general store, smokehouse, blacksmith shop, Volunteer Fire Department Museum, and schoolhouse. Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1-5p. Museum store. www.pioneermuseum.com

THE VEREINS KIRCHE: 830-997-7832. Center of Marktplatz in the 100 block of W. Main. This was the first museum the City of Fredericksburg had when the Historical Society opened it in 1935. Today we have permanent exhibits focusing on the history of the area and also a space for rotating photograph exhibits. We also have books and souvenirs. Operating hours Mon-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 1-4p.
www.pioneermuseum.com/xOurMuseums.htm#Vereins

JUNCTION

KIMBLE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 915-446-4219; 101 N. 4th St.,Junction, TX 76849. Farm & ranch tools; household items; guns; photographys; clothing. Email: burtwyatt@sat.net. www.junctioneagle.com/visitad5.shtml

KERRVILLE

HILL COUNTRY MUSEUM: 830-896-8633; Downtown Kerrville, 226 Earl Garrett Street Kerrville, Texas 78028. Local history of Hill Country from 1850s to 1930s with special interest in Kerrville & Kerr County. Experience the thrilling story of Captain Schreiner and the Texas Hill Country! www.kerrdowntown.com/hillcountrymuseum

L.D. BRINKMAN ART FOUNDATION: 830-257-2000; 444 Sidney Baker St. S., Kerrville, TX 78028. Western art collection, museum.

MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART: 830-896-2553; 1550 Bandera Highway, Kerrville, TX 78029-4300. The Cowboys, the Native Americans, the Settlers, the Mountain Men and others who tamed the West . . . share their adventure through the rotating exhibits on display at the Museum of Western Art where the legend of the American West lives on. Formerly "Cowboy Artists of America Museum". www.museumofwesternart.com

RIVERSIDE NATURE CENTER: 830-257-4837; 150 Lemos Street,
Kerrville, TX 78028. Museum has flora & funa of the upper Guadalupe River watershed & Texas Hill Country in the very early stages of development. Coordinating information for a watershed map; collect data on flora & fauna species. Guided tours lectures; formal education programs for adults & children; participatory exhibits. Email: rnca@ktc.com; Web: www.riversidenaturecenter.org

SCHREINER MANSION MUSEUM: 830-896-8633; 226 Earl Garrett, Kerrville, TX 78028

KYLE

KATHERINE ANNE PORTER MUSEUM: 512-268-6637; 508 West Center Street, Kyle, TX. This quaint museum is located in the house where Katherine Anne Porter spent some 10 years of her childhood. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is probably best known for her novel, "Ship of Fools", published in 1962 and later made into a movie. Museum contains Porter memorabilia and that of other Southwest writers, artists, and poets. Open Tue-Fri 1-6p, Sat 9a-5p. www.english.txstate.edu/KAP

LAGO VISTA

LAGO VISTA AIRPOWER MUSEUM: 512-267-7403; Hanger 9 at Lago Vista Airport, Lago Vista, TX. Aircraft include L4 Grasshopper, PT 13 Stearman, RF-4C Phantom Jet and F100 Super Sabre Jet. Displays: Uniforms, engines, guns, swords, WWII Jeep, diaries, medals, hundreds of photographs, and books from 1914 through Desert Storm. Includes more than 350 model aircraft of all nations from World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. The library features more than 1,200 books on the military. Sat 1-5p, by appt. other days. Free. Take FM 1431 to Lago Vista, right on Bar-K Ranch Rd. to airport on Flight Line Road.

LAMPASAS

KEYSTONE SQUARE MUSEUM: 512-556-2224; 305 S. Western Street, off Third Street, in downtown Lampasas. Housed in an early frontier building, museum features variety of changing exhibits devoted to such subjects as Texas Rangers, early-day saloon items, Indian artifacts, ranch and home implements, tools, and old-fashioned crafts. Mon 10a-12noon, Sat, 10a-2p, and by appointment. Tours welcome. www.lampasaschamber.org/5674301_47902.htm

LEAKEY

REAL COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: PO Box 69, Leakey, TX, 78873; 830-232-5330; Email: realmuseum@hctc.net, Email: riofriotx1@yahoo.com. Located 1/2 block N of the Real County Courthouse on Evergreen Street in Downtown Leakey. Created in 1986 to help preserve the history and heritage of Real County and to bring to life for you, the way our pioneer families lived in these beautiful hills. http://realcountyhistoricalmuseum.com

LLANO

HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE MUSEUM: 325-247-2568; At 826 Ford St., Llano, TX 78643. Visit Africa or the Arctic Circle. The museum features more than 600 mounted species. Contains the world-renowned Campbell Collection of wildlife animals. You would be hard pressed to find this many species of animals on display under one roof any place in the United States. The museum is not only the home for the animals, but also a learning center for wildlife and natural history. Thur-Sat 10p-5p. Map

LLANO COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 325-247-3026; At 310 Bessemer (Hwy 16), Llano, TX 78643. Located on the banks of the Llano River, just N of the Highway 16 bridge in Llano. The museum, located in the historic Bruhl Drugstore Building is operated by the Llano County Historical Society, Inc. Features exhibits that help interpret the history of Llano County. Included are a polo exhibit, farm and ranch room, clothing and textiles, military items, rocks, and a variety of photographs. An extensive exhibit of artifacts both Indian and early Texas, plus a large display of area gems and minerals. A restored log cabin graces the ground. Wed-Sat 11a-5p, Sun 1p-5p. Map

MARBLE FALLS

FALLS ON THE COLORADO MUSEUM: 830-798-2157; At 905 3rd Street, Marble Falls, Texas 78654. 1/2 block West of Main Street. Created in 1998 to collect and display the history and culture of the Central Texas region centered in Burnet County. Artifacts, documents, books and culturally important icons are on display, as well as an area for research. In addition, the museum hosts several events, including Black History Month, Founders Day the second Saturday in July and a Victorian Christmas in December. Email: focmuseum@281.com, www.fallsmuseum.org. Thur-Sat 10a-5p. Map.

MASON

MASON COUNTY MUSEUM: 325-347-0507; Brings history alive with displays from prehistoric times to current ranching and banking. View period events: Mason County War, establishment of Fort Mason, a training ground for generals, and the finding largest topaz in North America. Learn about Robert E Lee's command, John Meusebach's treaty with the indians, Fred Gipson, author of "Ole Yeller" and Johnny Ringo's part in the Mason County War, listed as one of the top ten feuds in Texas. Gift Shop includes sale of surplus memorabilia. Free admission, non-profit organization, donations appreciated.
Two locations: Mason County Memorial Museum: 210 Bryan (Northeast corner of Moody & Bryan), Mason, TX 76856. Located 2 blocks S of Courthouse, contains theb bulk of the Museum's collection. Museum on the Square: 130 Fort McKavett (N side of square), Mason, Texas 76856. A newer and more compact version of the main Museum, but with unique exhibits. Email: info@masonsquaremuseum.org. www.masonsquaremuseum.org

NEW BRAUNFELS

ALAMO CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM: 830-606-4311; 6401 IH 35S, New Braunfels, TX, 78132. Take a trip down memory lane among dozens of classic and vintage cars.

BUCKHORN BARBERSHOP MUSEUM: 830-629-2943; 521 W San Antonio, New Braunfels TX 78130. See Wagenfuehr Home below.

(THE) CARL FRIEDRICH BAETGE HOME (1805-1883): 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Home built in 1852, 26 mi NW of New Braunfels. The house was dismantled and rebuilt on Conservation Plaza in 1975. Carl Baetge was a Civil Engineer from Germany. Home was completely restored and is furnished with period pieces, mostly of Texas or German orgin. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

DAS ANWESEN BED & BREAKFAST, EVENTS CENTER and PHARMACY MUSEUM: 866-526-1236; 360 Millie's Lane @ Hwy 306, New Braunfels, TX 78132; Includes event and wedding facilities. www.dasanwesen.com

HERITAGE VILLAGE, MUSEUM OF TEXAS HANDMADE FURNITURE: 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. An historic home and valuable collection of early Texas handmade furniture. The Museum showcases the unique German heritage of New Braunfels with special recognition of the accomplishments of German cabinetmakers that helped settle the area from 1845-1880. Costumed docents conduct tours that include the historic Breustedt-Dillen fachwerk house with 75+pieces of early Texas handmade furniture, white English ironstone collection, cabinetmaker's shop, and 1847 Reininger log cabin. Library of books about Texas & local history and early Texas Furniture. Gift Shop. Ten acres of grounds and covered pavilion with catering kitchen and restrooms available for rental. Tue-Sun 1-4p, closed Mon and Dec-Jan. Email: museum@nbheritagevillage.com; Web: www.nbheritagevillage.com;
www.nbcham.org/museum_of_texas_handmade_furnitu.htm
www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/FF/lpf1.html

LINDHEIMER HOUSE: 830-608-1512; 491 Comal Avenue, New Braunfels, TX, 78130. A small monument to a man credited with discovering several hundred plant species, including a milkweed, a loco weed, a mimosa, and a rock daisy. Antiques and period pieces, some that belonged to the self-taught botanist, fill the four small rooms of the wood and fachwerk house. Ferdinand Jakob Lindheimer (1801-1879) was the Father of Texas Botany, and a newspaper editor during War and Reconstruction. He was the man most responsible for New Braunfels being located by the Comal Springs. His 1852 half timber or Fachwerk home is fully restored with many original items and pieces of furniture. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

MCKENNA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: 830-620-0939; 386 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130-7939. A learning environment for children and families which stimulates thought, inspires imagination and prompts understanding through "hands-on" educational exhibits and programs which focus on fine arts, culture, history, science and technology. www.nbchildren.org

THE NEW BRAUNFELS CONSERVATION SOCIETY: 830-629-2943; 1300 Churchill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Restored and furnishes 14 buildings circa 1849-187 to form a German Village called Conservation Plaza. Open to the public. www.nbconservation.org

NEW BRAUNFELS FIRE MUSEUM: Fire Station One, on 1st block of Hill Street.

MUSEUM OF ART AND MUSIC: 830-625-5636; 1259 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels, TX, 78130. Dedicated to inspiring, educating, and enriching the life of the public by deepening the understanding of the human experience through the collection, preservation and exhibition of diverse cultural traditions focusing on visual art, folk art, craft, and music of the state of Texas. www.nbmuseum.org

RAILROAD MUSEUM: 830-627-2447; 302 San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130. In the Old New Braunfels Depot (c 1891).

SOPHIENBURG MUSEUM: 830-629-1572; 401 W. Coll St. (at Academy Ave), New Braunfels, TX 78130. Preserve the history of the settlement of New Braunfels by "The Society for the Protection of German Emigrants to Texas" in 1844-1847 and the subsequent development of this city and area of Texas. Relates history through display of artifacts and early life in New Braunfels and written history of the area through thousands of collections of personal and public documents. www.sophienburg.org. Email: sophienburg@sbcglobal.net.

(THE) WAGENFUEHR HOME & BUCKHORN BARBERSHOP MUSEUM: 830-629-6504; 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130. A "collector's paradise." A "1900's" equipped barber shop contains literally hundreds of hand-carved miniature circus figures and pictures made from rocks. Operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

UTOPIA

SABINAL CANYON MUSEUM: 210-355-3835; PO Box 13, Utopia, TX 78884. From intersection of School Street and RR-187 in Utopia, go 1/2 block S on RR-187. The museum is on the right (west) side of the road. Exhibits pioneer farm implements and household items, Indian artifacts, geological exhibits, including fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon. World War II exhibit.

UVALDE

THE JOHN NANCE GARNER MUSEUM: 830-278-5018; 333 North Park Street Uvalde, TX 78801. Located in the 1920 Home of VP John N. Garner, this museum documents the remarkable life of Texas native son John Nance "Cactus Jack" Garner (1868-1967), one of the most powerful Vice Presidents in US history and the second most powerful politician in the US during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Exhibits: photographs, cartoons, art, historical documents, and memorabilia reflecting Garner's life and career. The home served as a city library, historical museum, and community meeting facility. Free tours. Tue-Sat 9a-5p. Free Admission. Operated by the Univ. of Texas. bhadley@mail.utexas.edu. www.cah.utexas.edu/museums/garner.php

AVIATION MUSEUM OF TEXAS: 830-278-2552; Sul Ross Blvd, Uvalde, TX 78801

VANDERPOOL

LONE STAR MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM: 830-966-6103; At 36517 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885. Just 4 mi N of Vanderpool. Free admission. More than 50 vintage (1910's-1980's) motorcycles on display, plus lots of motorcycling posters & memorabilia. www.lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com

WIMBERLEY

PIONEER TOWN: 512-847-3289; 333 Wayside Dr., Wimberley, TX 78676. Artifacts of the Old West; complete Frederic Remington sculpture museum of all 22 sculptures; Russell bronze sculptures; sculpture & metal art of the West. Culture of the Old West; bronze sculptures. Tours by appointment.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE HILL COUNTRY

ANDERSON MILL MUSEUM: 512-258-2613, 512-264-5360; 13974 FM 2769 (Volente Rd.), Volente, TX (NE shore of Lake Travis). Exhibits in museum and gristmill focus on memorabilia and artifacts relating to local history, the Anderson Family and the mill Thomas Anderson built in the early 1860s. Museum complex consists of a wooden replica of the mill, grindstones, farm implements and other pioneer artifacts; Robinson Museum contains Anderson Family memorabilia; and Robinson Hall is the site of themed activities and a gift shop. Tours offered the 4th Sun, 2-5p Mar-Oct, weather permitting. Group tours available by appointment. www.volente.org.

CALABOOSE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM: 512-393-8421, 512-353-0124; 200 W. MLK Dr., San Marcos, TX. Located inside the historic Hays County Jail, built in 1873, the Calaboose offers a look at the roles African-Americans have filled in law, medicine, science, and exploration. Among the displays is a local black-history showcase and an exhibit on the Buffalo Soldiers who helped settle the Texas frontier. www.sanmarcosarts.com

JUST OUTSIDE THE HILL COUNTRY

MAYFIELD LIBRARY AND MUSEUM: P.O. Box 310, Copperas Cove, TX 76550

MEDINA COUNTY MUSEUM: 2202 18th St., Hondo, TX. Housed in restored 1883 Southern Pacific Railroad depot, features pioneer artifacts and exhibits of Medina County history. Several other old buildings from the area, including a barracks building from the Hondo Air Base built in 1942, form the complex covering one city block. Open Aug-May, Sat 10a-4p and Sun noon-4p; Summer hours (starting May 31) open daily 10a-4p, closed Sun-Mon.

MUSEUM RESOURCES

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS: www.io.com/~tam

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS: www.aam-us.org

ASSOCIATION FOR LIVING HISTORY, FARM & AGRICULTURAL MUSEUMS: www.alhfam.org