Winnsboro TX Historical Museum

10/14/2026

Before we get to the cool history of Autumn Trails, we need a favor. We are working on an Autumn Trails exhibit and are in need of a saddle and stand. If you have one that you would be willing to donate, you can message us through Facebook or call the museum at ‪(903) 347-2668‬.

Also, don't forget that we would love to hear your stories of the Winnsboro Autumn Trails past. You can go to the website and click the "I Remember When" tab. Come on, Alicia, Mike, we know ya'll've got some stories to tell!

Saddle up, Winnsboro—it’s Trail Ride Weekend! 🍂🐴

Did you know the Trail Ride didn't just become part of Autumn Trails—it actually sparked the entire festival?

Back on Sunday, October 27, 1957, long before the parades, antique car rallies, and queen coronations, a group of 20 horsemen and horsewomen with the Winnsboro Roping Club met at 8:00 AM outside Redding’s Food Store. Their mission: soak up the East Texas fall foliage on horseback.

They stopped at Ogburn at noon for a wiener roast hosted by Imogene and Lefty Neyland before pushing on through East Point and Oak Grove. By the time they finally trotted back into town—8 hours, 45 minutes, and 29 miles later—the consensus among the sore, weary riders was that it had been a wonderful day, but "about 5 miles too long"!

The ride was such a hit that they repeated it the next year. Around that same time, Howard Rosser, managing editor of *The Winnsboro News*, took a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and realized Winnsboro had autumn beauty that rivaled anywhere in the country—it just needed to be celebrated.

In the fall of 1959, Rosser teamed up with editor Grayford Jones and local historians Gerald and Ann Post. Putting in $5 each for butcher paper and markers, they laid out tour routes, drew up mimeographed maps, and officially launched the **Autumn Trails Association**. That first official festival featured Queen Melba Sue Evers, car tours, and a trail ride of 41 riders.

Over the decades, that small gathering grew into a beloved East Texas tradition, drawing thousands of riders each October—at its height welcoming over 12,000 riders to the Big Woods trek!

Whether you’re in the saddle this weekend, lining up for the parade, grabbing a bowl of stew, or just admiring the red and gold in the trees, you're taking part in a tradition nearing 70 years of local history.

Happy trails, everyone! 🍁🤠

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10/12/2026

Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day, we recognize and celebrate the rich history and enduring legacy of the Caddo people, who inhabited the Winnsboro area along Indian Creek and Little Sandy Creek for over 1,100 years.

As an agrarian and sedentary society, the Caddoes built thriving communities, cultivated crops such as corn, squash, and beans, and constructed circular grass structures on earthen mounds. They established vital trade networks across East Texas, including the historic Caddo Trace, which passed directly through modern-day downtown Winnsboro at Main and Pine streets.

Today, we remember the lasting legacy, craftsmanship, and heritage of the Caddo culture in our region.

10/12/2026

Our old green Depot marker had a fantastic run, but its brand-new replacement brings even more history to life! 🚂

While the old signs laid the groundwork, our new Depot sign connects directly to our online archives. Did you know the original 1878 train depot actually burned down before the current structure was built? Or that Winnsboro was once a major shipping hub for timber and agriculture?

📍 See the photos & read the rest of the story:
Scan the QR code in this image or visit the website!

(P.S. Stop by the museum Thursday–Saturday 10 am to 4 pm the exhibits on display inside!)

10/10/2026

Blacksmith demonstration until 1pm at the Depot.

100 East Broadway
Winnsboro

10/09/2026

Don't forget: Saturday morning, 10 am to 1 pm, we will have Shadowhawk Blades giving a blacksmithing demonstration here at the Depot. Come see us!

Winnsboro Historical Museum
100 East Broadway Street
Winnsboro, Texas

🔥 Echoes of Traditions: Blacksmithing at the Depot🔨

This Saturday, October 10, the Winnsboro Depot Museum will continue our Echoes of Traditions series with a hands-on look at one of the trades that helped shape everyday life in earlier generations.

Join us from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM as local blacksmith Charles Adams of Shadowhawk Blades demonstrates the traditional art of 1800s-style blacksmithing.

Watch as Charles works with fire, hammer, and anvil to demonstrate techniques that blacksmiths have used for generations. It’s a chance to see an old-fashioned craft come to life and get a glimpse of what this essential trade once looked like in our communities.

Echoes of Traditions is all about remembering the skills, crafts, and traditions that were once a part of everyday life—and making sure they aren't forgotten.

📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Winnsboro Depot Museum

Come by the Depot, bring the family, and experience a little living history with us!

🔥 We’ll see you at the forge!

Photo: Charles Adams gives an explanation of blacksmiting technique to a crowd at the Rains County Founder's Day Festival, Emory, TX.

Shadowhawk Blades

10/09/2026

Winnsboro Red Raider Homecoming 2026 is here and we would just like to wish everyone a happy and safe celebration. Congratulations to the homecoming court of 2026!

WINNSBORO HIGH SCHOOL
HOMECOMING COURT 2026

SENIORS
Adison Bird
Avery Cole
Hailey Hernandez-Franco

JUNIORS
Emma Brumley
Luci Swain

SOPHOMORE
Carrie Bassett

FRESHMAN
Teagan Freeman

In celebrating, we look back in history to the Homecoming of 1955-1956, only a mere 70 years ago. Do you recognize anyone?

Coronation Of The Homecoming Queen - School Year 1955-1956

During the 1955 Football Season, the Coronation of the Home coming Queen was held in the metal building that served at that time as the Memorial School Gym. Following the crowning and homecoming football game, a dance was held in the gym. Those taking part in the coronation, pictured here, are (I-r) Mary Sue Turner, Charles Havens, Jerrie Lynn Davis (partially hidden), Mr. R.L. Patrick, the high school principle who crowned the queen, Robert Banks, Queen Paula Little, Malcolm "Bud" Pylant, Lanell Bolding, Wanda Knight & C.J. Harper (partially hidden).

Photo Courtesy of Carlos Miller

10/08/2026

The funds raised through the sale of these windows will go to the Winnsboro Historical Museum.

✨ VINTAGE 1924 6-PANE WOOD WINDOWS ✨

Add instant historic charm to your next project! These authentic wooden window sashes were pulled directly from an old building constructed in 1924. They feature rustic original wood frames, classic 6-pane glass, and original sash ropes intact.

Ideal for DIY picture frames, wall hangings, mirror conversions, farmhouse decor, or custom greenhouse builds!

💰 PRICING:
• Individual: $75 each
• Bundle Deal: 3 for $150 (Save $75 when you buy three!)

📐 DIMENSIONS & DETAILS:
• Height: 32 inches
• Width: 34 inches
• Depth: 2 inches
• Features: Classic 6-pane wood sash with natural vintage patina

📍 Pick-up: Local pickup available. Will need to make contact with museum before pick-up. Tour guides will not be able to help you.
💬 To Buy: Send a direct message to claim yours before they're gone!

10/08/2026

"I will never forget that moment..."

History isn't just what happens in textbooks—it is how our town experienced it together. Our very first submission to the museum's new digital story portal is a profound memory of a local resident experiencing 9/11, huddled around a rented TV at Clements Realtors because the office set had just gone out.

From the moments that stopped the world to our favorite Autumn Trails memories, we are officially collecting your community stories, photos, and memories. We want to add your unique experiences to our permanent archive to ensure they are never lost.

Add your story to the museum's collection here: https://www.winnsborotxmuseum.com/i-remember-when

Image: 1950's family gathered around the TV for illustrative purposes.

10/07/2026

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to our auction this past Saturday! 💚 We’re thrilled that so many of our iconic old green historical signs found great homes with local families. (And if you missed out, don't worry—the green signs that didn't sell are now proudly preserved right here as permanent museum exhibits!)

But as one chapter ends, a new one begins! Have you spotted our brand-new, updated historical signs around town? There are 31 of them scattered across Winnsboro, and each one connects to an interactive map on our website with deep-dive histories and historic photos.

📲 Want to explore the new trail? Start your virtual tour here: www.winnsborotxmuseum.com/historicalsigns

10/07/2026

A huge thank you to the Winnsboro community for making our historic sign auction such an incredible success! It was amazing to see so much enthusiasm and spirited bidding as locals claimed their own pieces of our town's history.

After standing at locales across town for over forty years, many of our beloved green markers were falling into serious disrepair. We wanted to replace them with new, updated signs before the originals deteriorated any further. Because these original markers mean so much to our community, our priority was always to ensure they were protected and placed in good hands.

We decided the best way to honor these pieces of local history was to share them with the public through the auction. It is wonderful knowing so many of these signs have found proud new homes with local residents where they will continue to be cherished. The markers that did not sell at the auction will also live on as part of our museum's collection. While a small number of signs unfortunately couldn't be salvaged due to severe fading or physical damage over the decades, we are thrilled that the vast majority are securely preserved.

The generous funds raised from this event will directly pay for the new replacement signs and support our general museum operations. Thank you for partnering with us to keep Winnsboro's history alive and beautifully preserved for the future!

These three signs will become a part of the museum's exhibits.