Description
The 'Red House' was the first frame structure in the county area. It was used as a Tavern, Stage Coach and Pony Express stop. The Red House, which was constructed in 1827, is enclosed in the Cheney Mansion. During and before the Civil War it was a station for the Underground Railroad. The Lone Star Country School house was moved to the Cheney site and completly restored in 2002/3. We are in the process of rebuilding a log cabin that was originally built and used for a home at the turn of the 20th century. We have one of the finest genealogical research centers in the area and many historic articles located in our museum.
History
The Jersey County Historical Society was formed in the very early years of the 20th century. The purpose of the Society is to collect, preserve and display articles from the past and to explain the history of the beginnings of our community to children of the local schools and touring visitors. Our Society is operated and maintained by volunteers from the area.
Artifacts Collections
Many articles from the past to include: ladies and gentlemen's clothing, a complete kitchen from the 1800-1900 era. Military articfacts and uniforms from the Civil War thru Desert Storm. A large selection of photographs of the community in early day. The Cheney Mansion is furnished with furniture from the 1800 period. A false cellar where the slaves searching for freedom was hidden during the daytime hours, located beneath the back downstairs room of the 'Red House' portion of the Mansion. A tunnel pasted underground beneath the road to the livery stable, allowing the guide to bring the slaves into the secret hiding place under the 'Red House' without being noticed.
Research Collections
The library is used mostly for genealogy research. We have census records, obituaries, marriage records, family records and booklets, newpapers going back to 1864, many old photos of homes that were built in the late 1800's, atlases from early days. We have a staff that will provide help in finding information about loved ones who lived in the area
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