This photographic exhibit tells the story of a typical day at one of the Thompson Lumber Company's three east Texas sites. This exhibit is available for display at east Texas venues. Contact the Museum at 936-632-9535 for more information.
This exhibit is designed to tell visitors about the amazing number and variety of products that have been manufactured from East Texas trees, from turpentine to toilet seats.
Timbertown Trains is an interactive children's exhibit featuring a hands on toy train that helps children learn how trees were cut in the woods and brought to the mill and mill town by rail lines.
The Timbertown Sawmill House is an interactive children's exhibit that teaches children what life was like for a logger at home in the early 1900's. This exhibit features hands on period-specific items such as clothing, toys and household items.
Texas trees are not always viewed as icons of the state. The Lone Star State, usually brings visions of cattle, cowboys and oil wells. However, between 1890 and 1900, the timber business of Texas brought more money to the economy of the state than any other industry.
The 14 million acres of the East Texas Pineywoods are still important to Texas. Sawmills, logging railroads, and modern forest management have all influenced East Texas culture. The story of the people, places and products of the Pineywoods are the focus of the exhibits at the Texas Forestry Museum.
Highlights of the permanent exhibits include:
The story of paper, with special emphasis on Southland Mills Inc. that opened a new industry for the south - newsprint made from southern yellow pine.
This exhibit depicts the life of a sawmill doctor and his role in a sawmill town. This exhibit was made possible from donations from the Angelina Rotary Club, Rotary International, and the family of Dr. Arthur Bryan. The Bryan family has also donated artifacts for this exhibit. This exhibit is interactive for children!
The Museum selectively collects and preserves objects, photographs and papers that are determined to be important in interpreting the forests of Texas and the people and products related to the history of the forest industries in Texas.
The Texas Forestry Museum will consider contributions of objects into its permanent collection that meet these goals:
If you have an item you think would find a good home in the collections of the Texas Forestry Museum, please contact staff to discuss a possible donation: 936.632.9535, or email us.