The history of De-Witt County is as old as the history of Texas itself. From early hunter-gatherers who roamed this area to the first settlers in 1826 with Empresario Green DeWitt, there is more than a lifetime of history to discover here. Preservation of the past can be a way to remember those who went before us, be it good or bad, with stories, histories and even everyday items.
It is those everyday items that the DeWitt County Historical Musuem in Cuero keeps watch over. Through its guardianship, visitors today can see how people lived 70, 80, and even 100 or more years ago. It is not just Chippendale furniture or the egg keeper box or the Indianola collection that are of value, but the old home itself.
The Sheppard-Bates house was built in 1886 from salvaged lumber from the original home destroyed by the 1886 Indianola Hurricane. It has not seen any major renovations since the 1960s and is now getting a much-needed facelift, according to Dianna Bartosh, DeWitt County Historical Museum board president.
The county purchased the home in 1973 for $15,00 and added expense of repairs and remodel for $3,000. It was through the efforts of the De-Witt County Historical Survey Committee and the county to make a permanent home for the county museum. From historical displays at Turkey Trots to a location in the basement of the courthouse, county residents have been gathering and displaying items of historical interest and importance for more than 100 years.
The house now needs roofing, stabilizing, painting, sight elevation and drainage, interior walls repair and windows replaced. Some of the renovations have been completed with the help of grants, but the bulk is now being funded by the general fund of the county. Komatsu Architecture of Fort Worth is overseeing the project with Weaver and Jacobs handling the actual work.
“It is estimated to cost around $250,000 to complete this job which is being done in an historical context and approach,” said County Judge Daryl Fowler adding, “Komatsu specializes in historic preservation.”
The museum operations are funded by donations, revenue from tourism funds and membership dues. The county does not own the contents of the museum. The DeWitt County Historical Museum Board oversees the contents, while the county oversees the physical aspect.
“The value in putting money into this project is to have a monument visible representation of the past and let upcoming generations see what was valuable to us,” the judge said.
Daily life in the 1800s and early to mid 1900s is visible within the various displays. Tools, clothes, kitchen and cookware, hygiene products, toys, school items, furniture, etc., are all on display.
“We have not done it in a few years, but we used to have a special Christmas display highlighting a different culture. We would have a program for the schools about that culture’s celebrations, such as Mexico or Sweden,” Bartosh said.
The museum also has an archive. Genealogy and historical documents can be perused by request.
“We invite anyone interested in history to come by and visit. You might be surprised by what you see,” Bartosh said.
