Local Museums & Libraries

Lamar County Historical Museum

The Lamar County Historical Museum is a local history museum that documents Lamar County, Texas, and its county seat, Paris. It is located on West Kaufman Street in an area of Paris known as Heritage Park, where it is situated immediately south of Heritage Hall.[The museum was the brainchild of William Hayden, a philanthropist and art aficionado from the area, and is staffed by volunteers.It includes six galleries and a rural life section in addition to exhibitions.

Lamar County Genealogy Library
Lamar County is rich with history. A common misconception is that vital records were destroyed in the great fire of 1916. This is not the case however, as little if any of the County Clerk's records were affected thanks to the foresight of County Judge Charles S. Neathery who in 1888 had a fire-proof vault built to house and protect such records at a cost of $15,000. By the way, he was voted out of office, as a result of such foresight which he took upon himself without approval of the citizenry concerned with tight monetary budgets and taxes. Were it not for his forbearance and seemingly illegal act, Lamar County would indeed be without much of its written history and heritage today.

Valley of the Caddo Museum & Cultural Center Inc

Valley of the Caddo Museum & Cultural Center Inc. displays and represents the history and culture of the NE Texas area of Lamar, Fannin, Red River and Delta counties. We work to promote knowledge and education in the areas of local history, archeology, astronomy and the arts, and seek alignment with other recognized organizations. Long term displays are maintained of archeological items such as fossils and artifacts (arrowheads, spear points). Other displays are changed every four to six months to enable coverage of a wide range of collections and exhibits from this region and the residents of the area. Educational events are held on a routine basis that have included Archeological Day and National Fossil Day with guest speakers and experts in these fields. Painting workshops with local artists have been conducted. Tours for groups are scheduled upon request.

Culbertson Library
The library opened to the public February 1, 1927, in a building on Church Street. The collection included 685 books. Miss Gertrude Drummond was the librarian.
With a generous contribution by Mr. And Mrs. J. J. Culbertson, the library moved into its own building on South Main Street in 1932. Mr. Culbertson donated the land and financed the $50,000 building, which was to serve as both a library and art gallery. Local labor and materials were utilized whenever possible which was a boon to the area economy. The collection included both adult and juvenile titles and works of art including paintings and statuary on loan from the Culbertsons.

Sam Bell Maxey House
In 1868, Samuel Bell Maxey and his family moved into their fashionable new home on the south side of Paris, Texas.  Built in the High Italianate style, the two-story frame structure was a proper home for the West Point- educated Mexican War veteran, Confederate general, and two-term U.S. senator. Maxey and his wife Marilda hosted many distinguished guests and the house soon became the town's social center. Today, the home showcases original family furnishings, clothing, and letters, which provide visual voices for three successive generations.

Roxton City Drug Store & Chaparral Trails Museums
City Drug Store Museum, which recreates in minute detail a pharmacy of the 1930's and '40's and displays thousands and thousands of pharmaceutical items, merchandise, advertising pieces, a marble soda fountain, and an early 20th century doctors office with an extensive research library of early medical books. Tours are available to all museums upon request. 

Aikin Archives
The A.M. and Welma Aikin Regional Archives serve both as a collection of archives from the senator's years of public service and as a State Depository for historical collections from this area.

Red River Valley Veterans Memorial
This memorial  honors all veterans: those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country, those who served in war and peace but were fortunate enough to come back home and those who are currently serving our Country in the U.S. Armed Forces.