Updated: 3/20/2010 
Smith County Historical Society Museum & Archives
Tyler, Texas
Description

The Society operates a museum called the Carnegie History Center, which is located in the former Carnegie Public Library building in downtown Tyler. Permanent exhibits include life-size dioramas with Smith County history topics ranging from Caddo Indians to the Twentieth Century. Other items from the Society's collections are showcased in revolving, temporary exhibits. Publications, photographs, and maps are available for purchase at the museum, as well.

Also located in the Carnegie History Center is the Society's archival library containing historical artifacts of Smith County, including newspapers, city directories, school records, photographs, maps, historical papers, rare books and much more. The archives are open to the public for research with volunteer staff on duty.

The Society is also the official caretaker of Camp Ford Historic Park. This Civil War history park is located near Tyler on the original site of the largest Confederate prisoner camp west of the Mississippi River. It contains a kiosk, paved trail, interpretive signage, a cabin reconstruction and plenty of parking. An annual on-site reenactment is held each spring by outside organizations.

The Smith County Historical Society preserves local history through these and many more functions. Membership is open to all persons and organizations interested in local history. Please join us in sharing our wonderful history!

History

Founded in 1959 to collect and preserve Smith County history, the Society moved to the historic 1904 Carnegie library building with Carnegie History Center (Museum) in 1985. In 1995, the Smith County Historical Society Museum and Archives merged with the History Center. The Society President serves as Smith County Historical Commission's chairman for historical markers. The Society publishes The Chronicles of Smith County, Texas annually.

Artifact Collections

The permanent collection includes artifacts form the Caddo Indians, Early Settlers, Republic Era (1836-1845), Civil War (Camp Ford - POW camp 1863), and from the Reconstruction Era to the 1940's.

Research Collections

Maps (city and county), books, newspapers, photographs, family/personal papers, scrapbooks, city directories, school albums; available for research.

Programs

Area schools bus children to the museum for guided tours. Society members speak to clubs and organizations upon request. We also maintain an intern program with the University of Texas at Tyler.

DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 5 - 8, 2025

New York Museum Association 2025 Conference in Ithaca, NY

Ithaca Downtown Conference Center

Ithaca, New York

April 6 - 8, 2025

Nebraska Museum Association 2025 Conference

Hosted by the Knight Museum in Alliance, Nebraska

United States

April 6 - 9, 2025

Texas Association of Museums 2025 Conference Austin

AT&T Conference Center

Austin, Texas

April 27 - 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

May 5 - 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

04/03 Palm Harbor Museum

Palm Harbor, Florida

03/27 A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery

Fort Pierce, Florida

Museum Associations

04/03 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida