The Gladewater Museum opened under the capable leadership of Fredalene Clark.  The Gladewater Historical Society had the ambitious dream back in 1987 of opening a museum dedicated to the rich history of our city. At that time, John Ben Shepperd helped establish a non-profit corporation and the society purchased the display cases from Day Drug with the determination that one day those cases would be used in a museum.  On November 5, 2005, the museum opened its doors in the Ellen Bauman Community Center, built in 1939, fulfilling that dream.

To me, those cases represent all the hard work and determination to keep that dream alive.  Our building is historic; the contents are historic and the many names that have become a part of Gladewater's history have joined the list of historic icons.  Our mission "is to preserve, educate and encourage public appreciation of Gladewater history and the surrounding area". The people of the community have an obligation to tell their story and to partner with the museum.  That small Kodak picture of your grandfather in front of his business in 1940 or 1990 is history and needs to be shared.  Any museum is a success if it displays bits and pieces from the past that represents the people from any era.  That's what we try to do!

Our all-volunteer staff is the best!  We are dedicated to preserving, educating and encouraging the community to appreciate its colorful past  Come by 116 West Pacific to see Gladewater's history through pictures and stories and consider sharing your story.  Future generations will thank you.

Elaine Roddy
Director of The Gladewater Museum

Photo of Elaine Roddy clipped from newspapers.com, Longview-News Journal (Longview, Texas), 20 Jan 2018.