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| Exhibits are objects or collections displayed to the public for interest or instruction. The museum has permanent exhibits, exhibits coinciding with local events, and exhibits partaining to topics of interest. |
Exhibits |
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Early Lampasas |
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A mural by Ben Henniger forms the backdrop for this display featuring some of the animals, birds, and plants the early settlers might have found when they arrived in the area in the nineteenth century and those they cultivated when they settled in what became Lampasas County. A bison, a red fox, an armadillo, a skunk, rattlesnakes, and a turkey share the scene with cotton plants – a crop that was grown widely in the region. |
Saloons |
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Lampasas had its share of saloons, many a glass was raised, and occasionally gunfights occured. Among the most famous gunfights was that between the hated Davis (state) Police and the Horrel clan of Lampasas. Three of the Davis Police were shot and killed. |
Saratoga of the South |
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The sulphur-laden springs near Lampasas were a magnet for visitors. Many people visited and some stayed to enjoy the healthful waters. Lampasas developed as a resort with the coming of the railroad. The museum has a model of the elegant Park Hotel (left). It was located near Hancock Springs on what is now the Gaven Garrett Soccer Field. |
Banking |
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“It's in the bank”, is a museum phrase for anything in the antique bank exhibit. Items of interest include local 'bank notes' a ledger posting machine, safe and other tools of the trade. Portraits of early bankers adorn the wall. The diaplay is a replica of a teller window at the First National Bank, an early Lampasas Bank |
Feuds |
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The infamous Horrel-Higgins feud of the 1870s led to shootouts in and around Lampasas. Lives were lost on both sides. The photo to the left is of the John Pinckney "Pink" Higgins, with his crew after a cattle drive from Lampasas County to Kansas. |
Homelife |
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Different eras of kitchen appliances are on display in this exhibit. An early kitchen cupboard, a butcher block table, and a pie safe are on view. The development of stoves is traced through the wood stove (in the laundry), the fireless cooker, the gas stove, and the Hot Point electric stove. A variety of methods of refrigeration are on display, including an early cooler (with a drapery that was wet with cold water and then placed on the porch or out of doors); three different ice boxes along with ice tongs, ice scrapers, and other tools; and a General Electric refrigerator. |
Medical |
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The Keystone Square Museum has an interesting collection of medical supplies and medical-related objects and materials, some of which are on view. On permanent display are optical equipment and tools from the Texas Eye Center, Lampasas, donated by Paul Williams from the Estate of Dr. Francis H. Williams. Also on view are a trial case and assorted optical frames purchased about 1923 by Dr. J.H. Crawford in San Antonio, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Crawford of Lampasas. We have an early dental chair and some eye-testing equipment, the latter donated by Dr. and Mrs. Rush McMillin. |
Veterans |
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The museum collects information on veterans and servicemen and women with a connection to Lampasas County. In addition to exhibits we have binders organized alphabetically that contain information and photographs and are available for viewing at the museum. |
Education |
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The museum exhibits photos, objects and documents showing how Lampasans were and are educated. The Museum is gathering information on retired teachers who taught in Lampasas. Biographical information, photographs and other archival materials are sought. For more information call Kay Gray at 512-556-3122 or Bobby Bahlau at 512-556-4070. |
| Toys | |
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Antique toys and books fill this “dollhouse” that was built especially to house this collection. |
| Lampasas Jail Cells | |
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Heavy metal detention cells that were a part of the 1883 county jail are now located behind the Museum. Each of the two cells of the block included bunks for four and little else. |