The Polk County Memorial Museum is the responsibility of the Polk County Historical Commission, appointed by the Polk County Commissioner's Court.

The Museum is seeking any old photographs, documents or artifacts which relate directly to the history of Polk County, people, places and events.

Exhibit Room 1 - The Chronological Evolution of Polk County
Exhibit Room 2 - Social Growth and Development of Polk County
Exhibit Room 3 - The Main Street Collection
Exhibit Room 4 - Early Days in Downtown Livingston

Volunteers serve as docents, assist with setting up new exhibits, special events, demonstrations for school tours, and care of historical collections. The volunteer staff at the Polk County Museum is vital to its daily operation. If you are interested in becoming a member of the volunteer staff, contact Jo Anne Westmoreland, Volunteer Coordinator at: (936) 327-8192

The history of the Polk County Museum began in the early 1960's when Governor John Conally issued a proclamation to each county in Texas to begin to "Record, Appreciate, Mark and Preserve Texas History." This program, referred to as RAMPS, was seeking to enhance the Texas economy with a tourist trade stimulated by history seeking travelers.

The next 30 years passed all too quickly and the museum had grown well beyond its space. In 1996, Sechrest Bergman Webster donated her home at 514 W. Mill Street, Livingston, Texas to become the home of the Polk County Memorial Museum. The home was built in 1960 from brick from the Ursuline Academy in Galveston. The gardens were designed by landscape architect Pat Fleming. The grounds connect to the Heritage Park land previously given by Mrs. Webster to the Polk County Heritage Society.