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Preserving History: Museum offers Delta County insights

It may not be located in Delta County, but its exhibits speak of its history. Valley of the Caddo Museum and Cultural Center, Inc., located in Paris, Texas, has archeology collections from several surrounding counties including Delta. With free admission, it makes for the perfect “staycation” just down the road.

The Museum has artifacts principally from Lamar, Fannin, Red River and Delta counties with featuring photos by Laura Snider Flatt, David Cook, Ronald Sprueill and Ron Reed.

“The current photo display features four local photographers with completely different styles. My collection features part of my ongoing ‘Small Towns of Texas’ project,” said local photographer Laura Snider Flatt. “I have been working on this personal project for approximately seven years.” Many of her photographs spotlight Delta County and Cooper Lake.

The goal of the Museum is to be an excellent organization that appropriately depicts and represents the history and culture of the four counties. The hopes for the exhibits at the Museum are to rotate and express the history of this region of Northeast Texas. Upcoming displays will feature exhibits from the Museum of the Red River, Patterson Museum in Cooper and archeology collections from Floyd McMillan, David Campbell and Rob Spencer.

For July and August the feature is the Quanah Parker Traveling Display from Trails and Lakes Division and September through November is R.B. Ravens Gallery, Ray Trotter, 28 West Plaza, Paris. From November 15 until December the Museum has planned a Christmas holiday theme.

Sections like astronomy, children/student, law enforcement, railroad and paintings.

Other current exhibits include masks from the Museum of the Red River, Idabel, Oklahoma and Native American Beadwork by David Dean, Philippine Santos Figures provided by Don McCaskill and Police Badge Collection provided by Gene Stallings.

“All of the police badges are really fascinating to see. There are modern ones mixed with antiques,” added Flatt, being the wife of a Paris law enforcement officer, “All of the staff is super friendly and eager to answer any questions about any of the pieces in the museum.” She also owns and operates Laura Snider Photography studio downtown Paris.

The Museum was organized in November of 2007, as a joint effort of the four counties and Judge Jim D. Lovett. A permanent site was decided on in April 2014, when Paris officials approved a space designated for that purpose in the Renovated Union Depot, where it is located today.

Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for major holidays.  Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Special tours may be arranged by appointment. The facility also recently opened the multipurpose room which can be reserved for meetings or events Monday through Thursday.

The Museum is located on 1115 Bonham Street in Paris, Texas or by calling (903) 401-5151. They can also be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valley-of-the-Caddo-Museum-Cultural-Center-Inc/630060587047936?fref=ts