Information Museum Reopens Enter the portals of Gilmer's neoclassical style federal building and take a walk through over 150 years of time. Join us as we explore and learn our history from the ancient mounds constructed by Caddo Indians to the fringes of outer space touched by graduates of Upshur County schools. With funds acquired from private citizens, the City of Gilmer, and the County of Upshur, The Board of Directors purchased the building from the federal government and opened the first exhibits October 1, 1993. Among these are photographs of the Dickson Colored Orphanage, the first orphanage for African-American youth in Texas and of the Mormon colony at Kelsey, and other significant moments. In the future, we hope to expand our exhibits on our businesses and the county's rich musical heritage which includes such talents as the Stamps and Owens Brothers Quartets, the Rangers, Johnny Mathis, Freddie King, Ray Price, Jerry Elliott of the Light Crust Doughboys, Michelle Shocked, and others.
School children come on field trips and learn of their history first hand.
Special tours can be arranged for youth groups. Quilt shows during the Cherokee Rose Festival, the immediate past Queens dress during the East Texas Yamboree, and other special exhibits are part of the many varied offerings which you may find when you visit. The Historic Upshur Museum reopened the exhibit area to enthusiastic response March 31. At the opening, visitors immediately remarked about the improved lighting and the beauty of the restored windows. A grant from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund will reimburse the board for one-third of the cost of the project.