Texas Forestry Museum Lufkin, Texas

Mailing Address

1905 Atkinson Drive
Lufkin, TX 75901

Street Address

1905 Atkinson Dr
Lufkin, TX 75901

Phone: 936-632-9535
Fax: 936-632-9543
Email:
Web: www.treetexas.com

Museum Hours

Monday - Saturday	10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday	1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admissions

Donations gratefully accepted

Description

Texas trees are not always viewed as icons of the industrial growth of the state. When people think of the Lone Star State, visions of cattle, cowboys and oil wells usually come to mind. However, in the decade 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 an important contributor to the strength of the state. Sawmills, logging railroads, and modern forest management have all influenced East Texas culture. The century-and-a-half story of the forest industries of Texas, the people who shaped them, the legacies they left, and the changes in forest management are the focus of the exhibits and programming at the Texas Forestry Museum.

History

Year Founded: 1972

Texas’ only museum devoted to preserving the legacy of the people, places and products of the forest began as a dream in the early 1950s. Industry leaders set aside important equipment and tools representative of the wood products industries for a future museum. The dream became reality in 1976 when the original museum building was completed. Exhibit space was soon outgrown, and the museum was doubled in 1986. Growth has continued to the present, with the addition of an Education and Research Center in 1993, expansion of the Urban Wildscape Trail on the grounds, and the 2001 completion of a major renovation and addition of exhibit space.

Artifacts Collections

Forestry equipment & tools - 4,000; Railroad equipment & tools - 500; Archives - 12,500 Photographs - 3,500; Books - 1,000 ; Natural history - 250; Misc - 250

Research Collections

East Texas Sawmill Data Base; East Texas Tram & RR Data Base; Sheveport, Houston & Gulf RR papers; corporate papers trade association papers

Library

Library is open to the general public appointment is necessary.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: True

Services




Publications

·	Crosscut - quarterly newsletter

Facilities

13, 400 square feet, 7,300 square devoted to exhibits. Wheelchair accessible

Programs

Special Events: TREEmendous Celebration (Gala, with induction to Texas Forestry Hall of Fame); Sawmill Supper; Texas State Forest Festival Education / Outreach: School tours; age-specific tours / activities; group tours; adult lectures / seminars; summer day camp; educational trunks; annual events (Fall Forest Follies; Reading Railroad; Santa Claus Express; Grand Day); Nature Packs for family use on Urban Wildscape Trail.

Staff

Laurie Vaughn, Administrative Asst

Casie Beasley, Receptionist

David Young, Education Coordinator

Laura Bobbitt, Education Associate


Museum Type

Arboretum
History
Historic House
Natural History
Nature Centers
Science

Governance

Type: 501 (c)(3)



Click here to provide additional information or report incorrect data on this page.

By accessing the MuseumsUSA site, a user agrees not to redistribute the information found therein.

Museum Info courtesy of Texas Association of Museums.

This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.