Williamson County Historical Museum

WHO WE ARE

The Williamson County Historical Museum (WCHM) is a non-profit corporation established to collect, preserve, and exhibit documents and material objects relating to the history of Williamson County; to offer educational programs to students and the general public relating to Williamson County history; to guide the renovation and oversee the preservation of the Old Farmers State Bank Building, maintaining it as an historical museum open to the public; to generate through contributions, gifts, and special functions the funds necessary to support renovations, collections, exhibits, and programs.

By these actions, we help to preserve the unique stories of the county for both present and future generations. In addition, through exhibits and the archived files of Williamson County, the WCHM will provide insight, information and relevant material about life in Williamson County in a variety of areas. This focus allows the WCHM to educate, inform, and entertain the public.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Williamson County Historical Museum will maintain exhibits and collections pertaining to the history of Williamson County, to ensure that present and future generations remain cognizant of our rich tradition and recognize the need to preserve this historical heritage.

HISTORY (see the Farmers State Bank Historical Marker)

The vision for a county museum began with the Williamson County Historical Commission. Commission members began gathering documents and artifacts when there was nowhere else for the materials to go. As the need became clear, they established an independent board to create a museum that could safely house and display what the commissioners had so carefully collected and preserved. The Williamson County Historical Museum (WCHM), a non-profit corporation, was established to collect, preserve, and exhibit documents and material objects relating to the history of Williamson County; to offer educational programs relating to Williamson County history to students and the general public; to guide the renovation and oversee the preservation of the Old Farmers State Bank Building, maintaining it as an historical museum open to the public; to generate through contributions, gifts, and special functions the funds necessary to support renovations, collections, exhibits, and programs. Thus, we help to preserve the unique stories of the county for both present and future generations. In addition, through exhibits and the archived files of Williamson County, the WCHM will provide insight, information and relevant material about life in Williamson County since its inception in 1848.

click here for History of the Old Farmers State Bank Building by Clara Stearns Scarbrough

COLLECTIONS

The Museum is currently developing its artifact collections relating to Williamson County history. It is now soliciting and cataloging local historical materials from around the county that have been held waiting for completion of storage facilities in the Farmers State Bank Building.

RESOURCES

The Williamson County Historical Commission archives and photo collection are housed in the museum. The Museum is also developing archival collections from county historians and residents.

About The Old Farmers State Bank Building

With its sophisticated Beaux Arts style, the old Farmers State Bank building at 716 S. Austin Avenue has made a glorious 21st-century comeback as the new Williamson County Historical Museum.

Renovation of the structure began in 1999 at a cost of approximately $600,000.00, and great care was taken by architect David Voelter and contractor James Roppolo of ATC Services to retain and preserve the integrity of the building's remaining original features. This historic building speaks of a vision in the early years of the county for progress and success in Williamson County. With the renovation of this historic building for the new WCHM, this same vision has continued. It is now renewed in the creation of a county museum within this building to preserve and protect the unique stories of the county, for both present and future generations.

                           View Images

Are you interested in some of the specific details of what was done to renovate the Farmers State Bank building? Click here to see more details about the restoration, or click here to view some of the images taken of the interior before and during the restoration.

• view WCHM Board Meeting Minutes