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Depot Museum


Depot people.JPG


The Depot Museum Complex

The complex houses the Rusk County History Museum and the Children’s Discovery Center. Clustered on 5 acres are twelve restored structures from Rusk County’s past. In the visitor’s center, visitors are treated to an orientation video that sets the stage for a tour of the complex. The video narrates tales of Indians, settlers and wildcatters who populated early Rusk County. The cotton warehouse portion of a restored 1901 Missouri-Pacific Depot houses the Children’s Discovery Center, an innovative learning center for children.

The T.J. Walling log cabin is located in the backyard of the complex. Built in 1841 on land Walling received for fighting for the Texas Republic. The cabin portrays life of the early settler. The furnishings are from a list that was added to the 1895 cabin deed. The Walling Cabin is one of the oldest and best documented log structures in the state and has earned a Texas Historical Medallion.

The Arnold Outhouse boasts the most publicized historical marker in the state. This Victorian three-holer has a glass window, louvered shutters and porch. Other structures in the complex include the 1880 Beall-Ross home built in the dogtrot style of architecture. Also on the grounds is the Missouri Pacific caboose, a barn and a broom factory, 1880s style doctor’s office, a print shop, a restored syrup mill, an oil derrick, Jones saw mill, country store, cotton gin and a carousel. The syrup mill is the focus of the Heritage Syrup Festival held on the second Saturday each November.

The Depot Museum, located at 514 North High Street in Henderson, is open year-round, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays.

Admission Fees
Adults
$3
Seniors
$2
Children
$1

Groups with reservations pay half price.

For reservations, call (903) 657-4303. Visit their website or email. The Depot is closed for all major holidays and state holidays.