From the book Historic Towns of Texas Vol. 2 by Joe Tom Davis, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1996: "What is reputed to be the finest small town museum in America had its beginnings on July 6, 1948, when the Jefferson Historical Society and Museum was organized with 171 charter members. The museum opened on April 1, 1949, on the first floor of the Jefferson Carnegie Library. At that time the book collection was moved to the second floor. The first large collections – a total of almost 1,000 items – were given by Mrs. Lillie Warner McDonald and by Mrs. Dolly Bell Rutherford Key." "In 1962 an opportunity came to expand into larger facilities. At that time the Federal Building was closed when a new post office

opened and the court moved to Marshall. Located at the corner of Austin and Market streets, the 1890 structure was the largest building in downtown Jefferson with 233,636 cubic feet of space." "On December 9, 1964, it was announced that the vacant Federal Building would be offered for public sale by competitive bids. The high bid of $8,100 was decided on by J.A.R. Moseley, the co-founder of the Jefferson Historical Museum. That bid was approved on February 4, 1965, and the Jefferson Historical Society moved into the Federal Building in September 1965." Today the Jefferson Historical Museum features many items from Jefferson and Marion County's past. Exhibits include an African-American History Room, a Jewish Heritage Display, a Diamond

Bessie Display, a Caddo Indian Room, and much, much more. Also at the museum is the R.D. Moses Train Layout - it is so large that it requires its own building - the replica train depot behind the museum. Come visit us!