New and old co-exist at the MCHM
As one of the original counties of Texas, Milam County can claim to be very old!
Our home here in central Texas has witnessed centuries of history being made by its people. This land between the Brazos and San Gabriel Rivers was once home to native Americans, Spanish missionaries, Mexicans, African-Americans, and Anglo pioneers, plus many early Texan fore-fathers and patriots. Now that is old!
So with that understanding, we can see that with old age comes the collecting of “really old stuff.” Artifacts, antiques, mementos, memorabilia, and valued treasures from the past are all waiting to be shared with the people of our historic county. However, you may ask yourself, how are these things (old stuff) shared with the public? And that is where the Milam County Historical Museum (MCHM, for short) comes in to help.
Housed in several buildings and with two locations, the museum in downtown Cameron welcomes visitors to view its by-gone but historic collections from the past. The county seat of Milam County Texas has the museum headquarters on west First Street, the old 1895 Jail Museum on Main Street, plus the Sneed Cabin and the new Transportation Exhibit Building on Fannin Street. Soon the citizens of our area will welcome the highly-anticipated Milam County Railroad Museum and Old Town Cameron display, also on First Street in Cameron.
Often, people will ask, “what is new at the Milam County Museum?” Well… the answer is simple.
On June 29, 2023, the public is invited to a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the museum’s newest attraction. The Barbara Harry Hajovsky Memorial Transportation Exhibit Building will officially be dedicated that Thursday morning at 10AM. A brief ceremony will be held beside the Old Jail Museum at Main and Fannin Streets.
This new garage exhibit was donated as a gift to the MCHM by Mr. Bud Hajovsky, and is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Barbara Harry Hajovsky. Mrs. Hajovsky, who passed away on June 29, 2021 was a former president of the MCHM board and committee chairman from 2009-2012. In donating this new building, Mr. Hajovsky has generously given the museum a place to proudly display two classic vehicles.
The garage houses a restored 1959 Chevy flat-bed delivery truck once belonging to the McLane Corporation and donated by Cameron native Drayton McLane, Jr. The building also houses a 1925 La France Fire Engine once used and donated by the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Hajovsky, a longtime Cameron businessman and once owner of the local Western Auto Store is currently a member of the MCHM committee. The late Mrs. Hajovsky once owned and operated the Houston Street Emporium and Tea Room in downtown Cameron. Come by to visit this new transportation exhibit which is located next to the old Milam County Jail Museum. The historic jail will also be open on the morning of June 29.
The former home of the Milam County Sheriff’s Department, the Old 1895 Jail Museum houses exhibits and displays of both law enforcement and everyday life in 19th and 20th century Texas.
Back then, living quarters inside the jail were provided by the county for the sheriff and his family from 1895 to the 1970’s. The bottom floor of the old jailhouse gives visitors a glimpse of what life was like for the sheriff’s family as they actually lived in the jail. Furniture and antiques give it a homey feel, while life-like mannequins greet visitors in period costume. The upper floors are what you’d expect to see… jail cells and of course, a hanging tower.
Another point of interest on the old jail’s property is the 1830’s Sneed log cabin. This small home was moved from the countryside and reconstructed in downtown Cameron back in the early 1980’s. It is a prime example of how early families of Milam County lived as far back as the Republic of Texas days. Visitors are invited to view both the interior and exterior of this 1830’s structure. Talk about old… The Sneed cabin pre-dates both the Milam County Courthouse and the Old Jail building. Now that is old!
The MCHM main office and central location can be found at 112 W. 1st Street, the former site of Dusek’s Pharmacy in Cameron. Here, docents welcome people from our communities and many other places to view relics and documents from the past. The self-named “Stitch Witches” can be seen quilting several days a week at this locale.
There have already been several gatherings this Spring at the main museum including a meeting of the Milam County Historical Commission, an evening with David Stacks the director of the Huntsville Prison Museum, and a Celebration of “Juneteenth” featuring guest speaker Elissa Benford-Roberts of Rockdale. These are just some of the activities taking place at our county museum.
There are many people who invite you to visit these Milam County historic places. The museum’s current executive board and committee president is Mrs. Margia Barkemeyer. She, along with numerous volunteers and myself, your new MCHM director, are working many hours each week to make the museum a place in which our citizens can be proud. So, join us at the MCHM in welcoming the new exhibits and preserving “the really old stuff” for future generations. Why not become a Friend of the Milam County Museum today? You can join us to help protect and preserve our local history.
As a Friend of the Museum, your much appreciated contributions will help ensure new events and exhibits will be coming to the museum in the future. Or, maybe you would like to become a volunteer. There are many ways to get involved in our local history.
First, be sure and visit the Milam County Historical Museums this summer. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday through Saturdays, or by appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon.