If you are between 5 and 105 years old, you’ll enjoy the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County in Conroe, Texas.
My husband and I planned a trip with our grandson that would be less than two hours away from Katy, Texas where we live. When we lived in Dallas, we often travelled through Conroe on our visits to Houston, but we never stopped there. We thought of it as a small town, not realizing the 37% increase in population (now over 100,000) with more to come.
If you drive north from the Houston area, slow down on the feeder road on Highway 45, Exit 87-A, just after Highway 105. Plan to spend time in each room of the museum. Their two buildings are donations from residents, who lived in the homes.
The outdoor signage provided details about the agriculture implements surrounding the houses. We stood in awe of a long, empty cement box used to wash tobacco. A huge chainsaw cut the wood for buildings and housing at one time. We learned that there were twenty-five sawmills in the area long ago. Other agricultural implements circle the museum yard.
Inside the first house, there are four different rooms with a small bunker shack in front of the house.
Each room in the house is decorated with many old items. I found a brown jug just like the ones from my grandmother’s home. I laughed when I saw the telecom switchboard of long ago. I have a photo of my mother on a stool by a switchboard when she was a baby. The rooms are full of interesting antiques and other artifacts. You may find items from your childhood, as well.
Abundant artwork from various donors adorns the walls. Mark Clapman, a renowned artist of Native American and cowboy culture, donated much of his work. You won’t miss the western items, as well as oil and gas influences.
The fabulous volunteers take their time to explain history and items to children, as well as for adults. I left my husband, who had more questions for our tour guide, while I viewed items in the small gift shop. Unique, handmade items were reasonably priced with a plethora of unusual items, many for holiday gifts.
Next, we visited the second house where I fell in love with the old Sears and Roebuck home, built during 1908-1914. Sears sold as many as 75,000 kits into the 1940s, so I heard. After their Sears home was literally moved to its current location, this historical group realized it was larger than most. They updated the bathroom with tile, so it continues to look like the 1940s.
An astute volunteer provided round tables and a small podium to use for local group meetings. We saw the “Red Hats Ladies” group leaving their meeting through the front door, as we began the tour with our lovely guide.
So much history of the area, such interesting and friendly volunteers, and it’s free. Proudly, they point out the donation box. They deserve the donations. It’s a very special museum! When we reached our car, I knew this is one museum we won’t forget.