Texana Museum

Texana Museum

Dinosaur Cousins?

You won’t want to miss seeing the lower jaw of a Cuvieronius Mastodon (Giant Elephant). It was discovered by O. D. Heinatz at Port Alto, TX, September 6, 1972. These giant elephants roamed Texas in the Pleistocene Period 200,000 years ago. It was restored by the University of Texas and is displayed in the museum.

Elegant Settings...

A dining room setting is created using a table made from an antique piano and featuring antique chairs once belonging to the Ward Ranch. Also coming to the museum from the Ward Ranch is a beautiful and elegant prism chandelier that is displayed in working order in one of the museum rooms.

Chamber Music...

Another interesting feature in the museum is a piano which is more than 133 years old and is believed to be the first piano that was ever owned in Jackson County. It is still played each year during the holiday season when the museum holds its annual Christmas Party. The rosewood Chickering piano was manufactured in Boston, Mass. in 1860 and shipped to Galveston where it was purchased by the widow of Major James Kerr. Another musical instrument on display is a rare and very old violin, measuring 23" in length and weighing only 14 ounces. It is believed to be more than 300 years old. It was made by the famous violin maker, Nicolo Amati and is one of only two known Amati violins of this era in existence today. The other violin is presumed to be in a museum in Russia. According to museum personnel, the violin is in good condition and can still make music, provided one broken string is repaired.

Shopping Anyone?

The country store display, complete with cash registers, dating back more than 100 years, as well as, a glass ribbon and yarn case, once belonging to the first dry goods store in Edna is a real look into the past. A collection of women’s shoes dating back more than 100 years is another interesting feature along with shelves of old items, such as spices, soaps, medicines, coffees and teas.

Home on The Range...

A cowboy’s chuck box, as well as, a collection of samples of barbed wire dating back to the late l800's and leather trunk dating back to 1875 are among the old treasures on display in the cowboy section. With a little imagination, you can visualize the cowboys resting around the campfire, at night, after a hard day of herding cattle. Interesting artifacts and exhibits about farming, as well as, early oil exploration, are provided for public viewing.

Only an actual tour of the museum would allow visitors to truly enjoy the fascinating collection of history that is housed there. Museum information is available at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, 317 W. Main Edna, TX 77957, or by calling 361-782-7146.