Didn’t this museum nearly vanish, only to be resurrected by passionate locals? Welcome to the Wallisville Heritage Park Museum. It stands as a testament to community spirit. It also preserves local history.
In 1979, John Middleton and other concerned residents founded Wallisville Heritage Park. They sought to save the original Wallisville townsite. The United States Army Corps of Engineers had purchased the land in the 1960s. This was for the Wallisville Lake project. A 1973 federal court injunction halted reservoir construction. Plans changed to preserve the old townsite.
The Wallisville Heritage Park purchased the town’s original 1869 schoolhouse in 1979. They restored the building. It was relocated near Interstate Highway 10. This building served as a museum and headquarters from December 1979 until May 1983.
The Wallisville Heritage Park constructed a new building nearby in 1983. The new building contained a library and research center. There was also a museum, offices, archival storage space, and other features.
The Wallisville Heritage Park acquired other historical structures. These buildings were moved to Wallisville. They include the 1910 Union Church from Anahuac. The 1915 Eminence Schoolhouse was also moved. So were the William Cooper house and the Ina and John Wallis House. These buildings, along with a rebuilt 1886 courthouse and 1895 jail, were to be located in a restored Wallisville Townsite. This was also known as the Heritage Park.
The Wallisville Heritage Park maintains extensive files on the area’s history. These include families, towns, and other historical subjects. A large body of research papers deals with El Orcoquisac. Fort Anahuac and John Davis Bradburn are also included. The Heritage Park has an extensive collection of records from Governor Ross S. Sterling.
The staff developed a collection of copy negatives and original photographs. These came from private collections. An oral history collection was also developed. The organization sponsored the publication of Chambers County A Pictorial History in 1988. The Texas Historical Commission selected the book for the T. R. Fehrenbach Award. It was recognized as the best county history in 1988.
In 1993, the Wallisville Heritage Park had two full-time employees. It also had more than a dozen volunteers. Over 4600 people visited. The Wallisville Townsite and the El Orcoquisac Archeological District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
So, as you explore the Wallisville Heritage Park Museum, remember its humble beginnings. Remember the vision of those who sought to preserve the past for future generations. This place stands as a reminder of what a community can achieve. It is a beacon of history and preservation.