Museums & Exhibits

Dating from 1914, this building was originally the Carnegie Library and is now home to the Smith County Historical Society.

The First Street Arts Center promotes East Texas artists whose work ideally captures the Pineywoods experience.

One hundred photographs will be exhibited at the Museum of East Texas from March 2009 through May 2009. Submissions will accepted until January 5, 2009.

Built in 1916, this Tudor-Gothic style building houses items telling the history of the city of Palestine and Anderson county.

Designed to travel to small community centers as well as larger venues, the exhibit will not only call attention to the rich history and culture of the Neches River Basin, but also serve as a pilot for exhibits focusing on the cultural heritage of other regions of the state.

History comes alive, even though it's written in stone.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is a project of the Nelda C. and H.J. Stark Foundation in Orange, Texas. Its mission of “mentoring children of all ages to be kind to their world” promotes the growth and appreciation of both arts and nature in Southeast Texas. H.J. Lutcher, who built the original Shangri-La in Orange more than 60 years ago, said, “I’m working with nature, trying to paint this scene with the most beautiful colors nature will give me.”

Exhibitions and collections tell the story of the forests of Texas yesterday and today.

The fully self-contained Victorian-style steam-engine railroad operates on a varied schedule from March through November, with weekend excursions year-round.

A public history and archives center capturing the history of Diboll and the surrounding region.