Ellis County Museum, Inc.

Waxahachie, Texas

Home Page

This site contains historical information and links for Ellis County, its communities, and other items of local historical interest.

It is constantly being updated so check back regularly for new additions and information.

 

When you visit Waxahachie and the Ellis County Museum, don't run off, enjoy an overnight stay and the charm of this turn-of-the-century town!

Follow this link for Waxahachie's accommodations.

Museum hours are: Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 5 PM.

CLOSED SUNDAYS

No Admission - DONATIONS ACCEPTED

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

HOLIDAY HOURS

The museum will be closed December 25th & 26th

and January 1st.

 

 

 

Historical Information


Updates
Recently added historical information

First Football Game - 1897

Texas Oil Products

Superconducting Super Collider (SSC)


County
Ellis County

Ellis County Courthouse

Courthouse Faces

Ellis County Cemeteries

Ellis County Communities

Ellis County Jail - 1888


Communities

Ennis

Maypearl

Midlothian

Milford

Waxahachie


People

Richard Ellis

James Riely Gordon

Harry Herley

William Sidney Pittman

Bessie Coleman


Structures

The Texas Theater


Schools & Education

Oak Lawn, History & Photos

Marvin College


Churches

Joshua Chapel A. M. E. Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church


Miscellaneous

Archival Supplies Online

Archival Information Online


Newsletters


Governing Documents & Policies

By-Laws

Collection Management Policy

Board of Directors


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

The Ellis County Museum, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Ellis County. It was organized in 1968 by local citizens to serve as a repository for materials contributing to the historical interpretation of the county. The museum is housed in an 1889 structure located in downtown Waxahachie across the street from the Ellis County Courthouse. Museum hours are: Monday - Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm.


Museum Membership

Join the Ellis County Museum.

Benefits of membership are: Museum newsletter, private previews for new exhibits, invitations to special events and lectures, exhibition announcements mailed to your home, 10% discount on gift shop items, and the general support of local history. Annual dues amounts are: Individual, $15; Family, $25; "Super" Family, $50; Patron, $100; Sponsor, $200; Advocate, $500; Benefactor (lifetime), $1000; Business/Organization, $50 -$100.


Our Mission

The purposes of the Ellis County Museum are (1) to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts and information on the scientific, technological, artistic, social, political, educational, natural, economic, and cultural history of Ellis County; (2) to make Museum holdings and information accessible to the public by means of publication and exhibition; (3) and to engage in and to encourage others to engage in study and educational use of Museum holdings and collections.


Museum Happenings, Events, Exhibits



 

The Ellis County Museum restarted its Brown Bag speaker series in September of 2009. This series features county residents speaking on local history and other topics of local interest. The event takes place the fourth Friday of the month from 12 - 1 PM at the Ellis County Museum, 201 S. College St. in downtown Waxahachie. The Brown Bag lunch series takes place in September, October, January, February, March, and April.

 

**Brown Bag logo courtesy of Mr. Jim West.

 


2017 - 2018 Brown Bag Series


September 22nd

Mr. Larry Felty

"Folk Art - A Discussion of Folk Art Forms"

 

 

including

Chip Art, Crown of Thorns, Carved Chains, Memory Jugs, Practicals and Whimsies


October 27th

Mr. David Smith

"Saddlebags and Bibles - Circuit Riding Preachers"


January 26th

Mr. Jack Dunaway

"50 Local Birds to Teach Your Children and Grandchildren to Identify"


February 23rd

Mr. Kirk Hunter & Ms. Maureen Moore

"The Arts - One Pillar of Chautauqua"


March 23rd

To Be Announced


April 27th

Ms. Nancy Farrar

"Women of Early Texas and Ellis County"


***

This informal lunch series is free and open to the public. This idea was originally conceived and organized by Ms. Julie Webb a number of years ago and has been re-initiated by Ms. Beth Price.

 

Past Brown Bag Speakers

***

 


 

 

Home Tour

The Gingerbread Trail is an annual home tour sponsored by the Ellis County Museum. Proceeds from this event play a large part in the museum's annual budget. The 2017 Trail will be the 49th year of the event. The Trail occurs on the first full weekend in June and features five historic homes, Ellis County Courthouse tours and other activities. Visit the Trail page for year specific information for this event.

 


 

Ellis County Museum Highlights of 2016 - 2017

Fiscal Year

***

Did You Know?

The Early History of the Texas Theater

in Waxahachie


Upcoming Museum Events


***

 

 

 

New Exhibit

 

The Masonic Temple: A Lasting Presence

This exhibit takes a detailed look at the history of the Masonic Temple building on the corner of College and Franklin Streets. Built in five months in 1889, this regal structure has anchored the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square for over 120 years. Visit the Ellis County Museum to explore this in-depth study of Block 14, Lot 1, the current site of the Ellis County Museum.


Other new attractions in the Museum!

Please check out the new audio additions to the Home Front and Paul Richards exhibits. Local residents recall aspects of life “at home” during World War II and Richards talks about his baseball career.


Exhibits


Paul Richards

Professional Baseball Player and Manager

***

"The Home Front"

Ellis County in World War II

 

***

Doll & Doll Furniture Display

Organized and installed by the Waxahachie Doll Club


Disclaimer

All information on this web site is accurate to the best of our knowledge. We have many contributors of information and can not historically verify all facts. If you find errors or conflicting information, please contact the webmaster so the appropriate changes can be made. Where sources of information are known, credit is given to the individual or group responsible for the research. If we have missed crediting a contributing entity, let us know and we will correct the error.


Contact Information

Telephone: 1-972-937-0681

FAX: 1-972-937-0681

Postal Address: P.O. Box 706, Waxahachie, Texas 75168

Street Address: 201 S. College St., Waxahachie, Texas  75165

Electronic Mail: [email protected]

 

 

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Visitors since September 6, 2002

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Upcoming Museum Events

Historic Postcards

Historic Photographs

Special Events

Gingerbread Trail Home Tour

The Gingerbread Trail is an annual home tour sponsored by the Ellis County Museum. Proceeds from this event play a large part in the museum's annual budget. The 2017 Trail will be the 49th year of the event. The Trail occurs on the first full weekend in June and features five historic homes, Ellis County Courthouse tours and other activities. Visit the Trail page for year specific information for this event.


 

Links

Lots of Links

 

Texas Lakes Trail

 

Waxahachie Downtown Merchants

 

Local Accommodations

 

Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm

 


Ellis County Museum

Proud member of

Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce