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Below our rugged exterior, you'll discover Texas has an air of sophistication. For every cowboy you find, there's an art aficionado to match. Sometimes, they're even one and the same. Not only are we big into art, but we have an astute taste for opera, theater and classical music.

Fine Art

Red River Valley Museum

4600 College Dr, Vernon, TX 76384
(940) 553-1848

The most commonly heard statement at the Red River Valley Museum from first time visitors is, "I never dreamed that a town this size would have a museum like this." Indeed, towns with a population much larger than Vernon's 12,000 would be proud to offer as many world-class exhibits in such a beautiful setting.

The Red River Valley Museum is home to the extensive wild game collection donated by Bill Bond as well as several historical exhibits dealing with archaeology, geology, ranching history, and life in early Vernon. The museum has the largest collection of the sculpture of Electra Waggoner Biggs plus a replica of her studio. Other exhibits highlight Vernon native Jack Teagarden, Doans Crossing, and the Great Western Trail .

Every spring the museum hosts an international juried art show featuring artwork in a variety of media. Additional art exhibits during the year usually feature area artists. Programs and classes of interest to the community are offered periodically. Recent programs included such varied topics as cowboy poetry, the history of the great western trail, and the butterflies of the rolling plains.

The Red River Valley Museum is not a typical small-town museum with static exhibits but a museum dedicated to pleasing the return visitor. Doans Crossing, the halfway point on the Great Western Trail, located near Vernon, Doans was the last supply point for trail drives headed into Indian Territory. Donations to help the museum are appreciated.

Franklin County Art Alliance

Many of the accomplished and award-winning artists in northeast Texas exhibit in our Old Jail Art Museum, affectionately referred to as "O'Jam." The permanent collection includes paintings in oils, watercolors, acrylic, mixed media, cut-paper, and pencil. There is photographic art and numerous works in ceramics and sculptures in stone, clay and metal. Whether you are a lover of high art, an art student, or just enjoy seeing individual achievement, the OJAM is a center for education and appreciation.

A Bit of History

The old county jail was offered to us when the Arts Alliance desperately needed a facility for an art center. While the jail was not the perfect facility for an art museum it was offered at virtually no cost, and there was a precedent: the Albany, Texas, Old Jail Art Museum. The Albany museum started under similar circumstances over 25 years ago and became a first class art museum with a collection valued in the millions. Albany is stimulating because it mirrors Mt. Vernon in size and in enthusiasm for the arts and tourism.

Franklin County Historical Museum

201 South Kaufman
Mt. Vernon, TX
Phone: 903-537-4760

The mission of the Franklin County Historical Association shall be to further goals set by the Texas Historical Commission to further the recording, appreciation, marking and preservation of the history and heritage of Texas, our region and Franklin County. We will endeavor to promote the economy of our county and community through a special emphasis on heritage tourism. We will further act aggressively to involve all ethnic groups in our community to participate in our endeavors. We will act to acquire, maintain and preserve artifacts and records of historic significance, as well as promote museums and exhibit areas to display and promote education and heritage tourism in Franklin County. Our mission will be accomplished by following the goals and objectives approved by the Board of Directors. http://www.mt-vernon.com/~cbrewer/welcome.htm

Highlights & Collections

Our lovely volunteer coordinator, Jean Ann Marshall, welcomes guest in our museum. She will give you a tour of our museum on Tuesdays and Thursday with an appointment. Please call 537-4760

We will talk about some of the items on display at the present time and will keep you posted on any new items that might be added. You will be able to see the dental chair and equipment that was once used by Dr. Con Smith in Mt. Vernon. You will see early medical equipment and early settings of life in Mt.Vernon. Other items you can see downstairs, would be an early shoe shine chair, wood carvings by James Harry Smith and handwork from the 1880's.

When you move upstairs, you can see a collection of bird eggs and Indian Artifacts from Franklin County and other parts of Texas. . We also have a wonderful collection of butterflies that would get any lepidopterist excited.

A collection of bird eggs and Indian Artifacts from Franklin County and other parts of Texas. . We also have a wonderful collection of butterflies that would get any lepidopterist excited. Other items you can see downstairs, would be an early shoe shine chair, wood carvings by James Harry Smith and handwork from the 1880's.

Current Exhibits and Upcoming Special Events

I don't think you will find a better museum in a small town like this one. It is worth a stop if you are traveling on I-30 in East Texas.

• Bytterfly Collection.
• Indian Artifacts from this area.
• The wood carvings by James Harry Smith and handwork from the 1880's.

Open every Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment by calling B.Hicks at 903-537-2264

The Jack Teagarden Museum

The Jack Teagarden Museum is an elegant and attractive museum dedicated to educating the public about the life and music of the Greatest Jazz Trombonist of All Time. The interior was designed by local architect Don Wilson with an emphasis on a modern, clean, and classy look and feel. For more information about any aspect of the Jack Teagarden Museum, contact Mark Farr-Nash at teagardenmuseum@gmail.com . We look forward to hearing from you!

The Frame Up & Fine Arts Gallery

204 W. Main
Mt. Vernon,TX
903.537.4034

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-5

In the coming weeks the Frame Up & Fine Arts Gallery will be adding more and more new content. Just in time for the Holidays! So be sure to stop by the store to shop for that unique gift this season or if you find anything here that you are interested in you can use the contact form to inquire.

San Antonio Museum of Fine Art

The museum is home to an array of Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, European and American paintings, contemporary art, Oceanic art, decorative art, and Near Eastern and Islamic art.

Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue., Fri. and Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed. and Thu; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Easter and Fiesta Friday. Free admission 4-9 p.m. Tue. and 10 a.m.-noon Sun.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

One of the largest modern art museums in the country, this facility includes paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists, as well as traveling exhibits.

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.

Theater

The Globe Theatre

2308 Shakespeare Rd.
Odessa, TX 79761

For info or tickets call 432-580-3177

The theater is modeled after the original Globe Theatre. Shakespearean productions are held throughout the year, along with national and local productions. On the grounds, a replica of Anne Hathaway's cottage contains antiques and a Shakespearean library. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

The Permian Playhouse

310 W 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79764
(432) 362-2329

The Permian Playhouse presents a full season of plays and musicals providing countless hours of entertainment. Theatre Education classes and Youth Theatre productions continue to enriched the lives of the children of the Permian Basin. The Permian Playhouse continues to serve the needs, desires, and dreams of its citizens.