To Know Your History Is To Know Your Greatness

This room displays the history of Palestine’s African-American citizens and their many achievements. Every area of black history is represented including school, church, military, athletics, political and social history. The room and its displays trace the history from yesteryear to today. You can read about many prominent leaders, families and individuals including the Ephriam P. Murray and Williamson families as well as others like Dorothy Robinson. The Grant Chapel Methodist Church and Pilgrim Hill Baptist Church are among the early historical churches

This room was developed by members of the Palestine Fire Department to honor the fire departments of days gone by. It displays the history of local fire fighters. The fire hydrant on display was patented in the 1800s and was used in Palestine at the intersection of Spencer and Lacy Streets from 1900-1909. The glass fire grenades (an early form of fire extinguisher) are always of interest. The “Hope, Hook and Ladder Company” was established in 1881. Take time to look at the quarter-inch scale diorama of the first volunteer fire department in Palestine, “Hope, Hook and Ladder Company.” It was built and donated to the museum by Robert Stuard, a former Anderson County resident.

Numerous historical items on display in the hallway exhibits of The Museum tell the early history of Palestine and Anderson County. All the hallway exhibit cases are unique and contain a star on the front of each one. The cases were in the Hall of State at the Dallas State Fair when it opened in 1936.

The Railroad Room is filled with memorabilia recalling the great days of the railroad in Palestine. When the railroad came it became the center of Palestine’s economy and a great part of the social life of Palestine’s citizens.
The International Railroad arrived in 1872 and then came the Houston and Great Northern. The two merged in 1873 and became the International and Great Northern Railroad. In 1870-1875, the general offices, shops and yards of the I.&G.N. were moved to Palestine. In later years the I.&G.N. merged with the Missouri-Pacific Railroad. The Missouri Pacific Railroad merged then with the Union Pacific Railroad which today has limited freight facilities and a car shop in Palestine. You can listen to the recordings in this room of sound effects of an old Steam Engine. Horace Shelton’s trumpet is on display in the railroad room. He, along with his twin brother Morris Shelton, played in the Railroad Band in the early days. Along with many other railroad artifacts, there are lanterns, oil cans, rail sections, tools and photographs. The counter, desk and telegraph key from the now demolished Palestine Railroad Depot give you the feeling of being able to buy at ticket.