Last updated: 1/8/2011
Fredericksburg, Texas
Street Address
325 W. Main
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Mailing Address
312 W. San Antonio Street
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Hours

Tuesday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
Summer: Museums open on Sunday & Monday

Admissions

Includes both museums (Pioneer and Vereins Kirche; Tickets may be purchased at either location; ,br /> $5 for ages 18 and up
$3 for students 6-17 years
5 & under free
($2 if Verins Kirche only)

Staff

Liz Brookshire
phone:
Description

Turn your weekend into a Family Fun Saturday! The first and third Saturday of each month, we add special activities to your museum experience. Try your hand at churning butter, making rope or cornhusk dolls, participating in a spelling bee, decorating cookies or designing old-fashioned holiday cards.

Enjoy a homemade German meal prepared by our local volunteers and served either in our Social Hall or out on the grounds of the Museum. The German meal is offered by itself or in conjunction with the tours. The menu includes Opa’s sausage, German potato salad, sauerkraut, homemade bread, dessert, tea and coffee. Cost: $15 per person – 15 person minimum. Two complimentary meals.

If you are looking for a unique location for your group event, we are pleased to offer our property for lease. Our three acre Museum grounds, located on Fredericksburg’s Historic Main Street, offers a variety of venues. Whether you have a small ceremony, reception or family reunion under the shade of our pecan trees, or choose to add tents for a large gathering, our site creates a hometown Fredericksburg feel.
“The reception location was just perfect! Our out-of-town guests were thrilled they were within walking distance of their B&B and shopping. The ambience of the location with the added decorations and food makes this a perfect place to have an event. We would recommend this location to anyone who would like to have an ‘above expectation wedding reception.’”

Visit the Pioneer Museum store, now located in our new entrance at 325 West Main (corner of West Main and Milam Streets). Browse a variety of books on German-Texan Immigration, Ethnic Cultures, Texas History, Cooking, Cemeteries, Folklore and more. Also, discover a great selection of gift items, souvenirs and nostalgic toys for all occasions. Historical Society members always receive 10% off all Museum Store items. Become a member today!

There are currently 3 acres and 11 historic buildings to tour and see how the true pioneers of this town built it from the ground up. There are numerous artifacts to see and stories to hear. Some of the artifacts on exhibit include stagecoach wagons, a blacksmith shop, antique craftsman equipment like band saws, fencing materials and cooking utensils…just to name a few. Also, currently in our Social Hall, a Vereins Kirche exhibit is on rotation. Our programs and tour guides tell the stories of these settlers and the hard times they faced.

Mission

The Mission of the Pioneer Museum is to share the cultural panorama of the Texas Hill Country through experiences that enlighten and inspire.

History

The first Pioneer Museum site was the Vereins Kirche (located in the 100 block of West Main Street), a 1935 replica of the original structure. The Vereins Kirche today is an extension of the Pioneer Museum. In 1955, the Society bought the historic Kammlah home, store and property - including a smokehouse and barn - that are now part of the current Museum site (located in the 300 block of West Main Street).

With other purchases and donations, the current site has grown to encompass 3 acres and 11 buildings, 9 of which are historic structures included on your tour of the Museum grounds. The Society has over 300,000 artifacts within its rich and diverse collection.

Artifact Collections

Historic Houses 1849-87; 1935; 1878-1959; 1904; 1880; 1854-1912, over 1000 objects relating to the domestic life commerce, ranching & farming of Gillespie county; Ty Cox tool collection

Research Collections

German immigration to Texas Hill Country, daily life in Gillespie county from 1846 onward.

Educational Programs

Daily guided tours; special German meal & tour for gourps; school tours; Christmas candleight tour of homes; founders day celebration & lectures.

School tours are available for students from preschool through college. Let us customize an itinerary to fit the time and needs of the individual class, for a memorable lesson.
Publications

quarterly newsletter; brochures; books; Gillespie County A View of Its Past, Pioneers in God's Hills, Vol. II

Services
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

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2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

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