Texas Heritage Museum

10/13/2026

The Texas Heritage Museum was honored to welcome Congressman Pete Sessions for a visit yesterday!

During his visit, Congressman Sessions presented the Museum with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, acknowledging the important work being done to preserve and share the stories of Texans and Texas’ role in military history.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Museum, share our mission, and highlight the role we play in preserving our state’s rich military heritage for future generations.

Thank you, Congressman Sessions, for taking the time to visit the Texas Heritage Museum and recognize our work!

10/12/2026

Hill College and the Army Air Corps Training Movement

Did you know that Hillsboro, Texas, was part of the broader U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) training network during the interwar and World War II periods, with Hill College participating by introducing several courses and departments of study. Check out our exhibit to learn more!

10/07/2026

World Cotton Day

King Cotton Diplomacy-
During the American Civil War, cotton was central to Confederate strategy through what became known as King Cotton Diplomacy. The Confederacy sought to withhold its cotton from European markets, hoping that shortages would pressure Britain and France into recognizing the South or intervening in the war. This policy was reinforced by Confederate produce loans, where planters lent cotton sales proceeds to the government to secure foreign currency for war supplies.

Cotton’s role in Mexico was both economic and political. It sustained Mexican commerce along the border and, at times, influenced U.S.-Mexican relations. Confederate merchants like Simeon Hart from El Paso facilitated trade and diplomacy, linking the Confederacy to Mexican political factions. The cotton trade thus became part of a broader transnational network that intertwined the Civil War, Confederate war efforts, and Mexican politics.

Cotton was “king” in the Confederacy’s eyes, and its flow through Texas–Mexico borderlands was a lifeline for the South’s war economy, a source of profit for both Texans and Mexicans, and a flashpoint in wartime diplomacy.

09/27/2026

It is World Rivers Day!

The Little Boat Carried a Big Water

During the Vietnam War, the humble Vietnamese sampan became a vital transportation vessel along the country's extensive network of rivers, canals, and waterways. These small, shallow-draft boats were used to move troops, food, weapons, and supplies through areas inaccessible to larger vessels. Because sampans were a common sight in everyday Vietnamese life, they often blended into civilian river traffic, making them an important part of wartime logistics. Their role highlights how Vietnam's waterways served as critical transportation routes and shaped military operations throughout the conflict.

09/25/2026

We were super excited to welcome 25 News KXXV to the museum to share about Hispanic Heritage and how that history is showcased here!

One local museum with rich Hispanic History right in our backyard tells the story of Hispanic Heritage. Read more at the link in the comments.

09/25/2026

Communication is Key!

Happy birthday (or anniversary?) to Motorola!

By 1945, battery-powered field radios had become an essential tool for military communication. One of the most recognizable was the SCR-536 “Handie-Talkie,” a handheld two-way radio used by American forces during World War II. Developed by Motorola and powered by self-contained dry-cell batteries, the radio allowed soldiers to communicate directly with nearby units and command personnel without relying on telephone lines or messengers. Weighing approximately five pounds with batteries, it featured a telescoping antenna and provided short-range voice communication across the battlefield. The SCR-536 proved invaluable during combat operations, where rapid communication could mean the difference between success and failure. Used by infantry platoons, company commanders, and support units, the radio enabled troops to coordinate movements, report enemy positions, and request assistance in real time. By the end of World War II, more than 130,000 units had been produced, establishing the SCR-536 as one of the first widely used handheld military radios and a predecessor to the modern walkie-talkie.

09/14/2026

WHO ARE WE?

This week, we're introducing our Assistant Director - Priscilla Schubert!

Hi! My name is Priscilla Schubert, and I'm the Assistant Director at the Texas Heritage Museum. A typical day for me varies a lot! I get to work with collections and education. This includes digitizing resources, developing programs, and processing donations. My favorite part of the job is getting to see people enjoy the museum. I love when K-12 groups come to the museum and get to engage with history in a new way! I think every visitor should see the Medal of Honor that was awarded to James Harris of Hillsboro for his sacrifice and bravery in World War 2. How the medal came to the museum is also a great story! The best part of Hillsboro is the people! Everywhere I go, I am so impressed with the kindness of people in this town. I also love the beautiful, historic homes! And Overflow Coffee Co!

09/07/2026

WHO ARE WE?

This week, we're introducing our Executive Director and Chief Curator - John Versluis!

My name is John Versluis, and I serve as the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College. In this leadership role, I guide the museum’s vision, daily operations, exhibits, collections, community outreach, and long-term planning, working with a strong team to preserve and share important stories of Texas and American military history. A typical day can include anything from working with artifacts and exhibits to meeting with staff, donors, college leadership, and community partners. No two days are exactly the same, which is one of the things that makes museum work so meaningful and interesting. My favorite part of the job is helping connect people to history in a personal way. Whether it is a student, veteran, family member, or first-time visitor, it is always rewarding when someone finds a story or artifact that truly speaks to them. Visitors do not always realize how much work goes into operating an AAM-accredited museum. Behind the scenes, we're constantly working in collections care, preservation, cataloging, research, exhibit planning, educational programming, documentation, policy development, and meeting professional museum standards so the stories and artifacts we hold are protected for future generations. I would encourage every visitor to spend time at the Official Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native Born Texans. The memorial honors the courage, service, and sacrifice of Texas-born Medal of Honor recipients and helps visitors connect personally with the stories of those who served with extraordinary bravery. What I enjoy most about Hillsboro is the strong sense of community and local pride. It is a place where people care about their history, support one another, and understand the importance of preserving stories for future generations.

09/03/2026

All locations and the Texas Heritage Museum will be closed on Friday (for professional development) and Monday (for Labor Day). We will return on Tuesday, September 8, with regular business hours.

We hope you have a safe and happy weekend!

09/01/2026

September 1 marks the anniversary of the start of WW2, with the shot not heard: The FP-45 Liberator

The FP-45 Liberator was one of WWII’s most unconventional creations — a clunky, single-shot pistol that looked more like something from a hardware store than a battlefield. Stamped from sheet metal and assembled in minutes, it was intentionally cheap, simple, and almost disposable. The idea wasn’t to arm resistance fighters with a great weapon; it was to give them a way to get a better one by ambushing an enemy soldier and taking his gear.

Dropped across occupied Europe in cardboard boxes with comic-style instructions, the Liberator became a symbol of scrappy ingenuity. It wasn’t elegant, accurate, or comfortable, but it represented the belief that ordinary civilians could fight back against oppression. Today, surviving Liberators are rare reminders of how WWII strategy sometimes relied on improvised tools and psychological warfare just as much as tanks and planes.