African American Museum of Northeast Texas in Gladwater opens Saturdays after experimental schedule

GLADEWATER, Texas (KLTV) – The African American Museum of Northeast Texas will be open Saturdays going forward after experimenting with various operating days since it opened in August 2025.

Bennie Moore, museum director, said the Red Rock Historical Association board decided on the Saturday schedule to provide consistent access to the community’s history. People can also schedule tours any day of the week by calling 903-734-5944.

The museum preserves the history of Red Rock, a community founded by 12 families that Moore calls the “12 Tribes of Red Rock.” Moore said the name comes from Gladys, an 86-year-old community member who drew parallels to the 12 tribes of Israel.

“I think I lived long enough to see the destruction of what our ancestors had worked for,” Moore said. “I saw them torn down. I saw them burned up. And I know that we were burning up, destroying our history.”

Moore said she began collecting artifacts after witnessing the deterioration of Red Rock’s historic buildings and wanting to preserve the community’s legacy for future generations.

The museum displays sections on religion, education and domestic life. Moore said religion was the first priority for settlers after building their homes, followed by education.

“After they got their home settled, the next thing of importance to them was religion. And next to that was education,” Moore said.

The museum houses archives of funeral programs with about 25 three-ring binders organized alphabetically. Moore said the programs provide genealogical information about families, including marriages and children.

The museum operates through donations and rental income from an adjacent activity center. Moore said the facility generates funds for maintenance while keeping admission free.

“We do put out a jar and say that no charge, just donations,” Moore said.

Moore said visitors often recognize artifacts from their family histories, creating emotional connections to the community’s past.

“I really get excited when they see something that they had forgotten all about, or they just heard mama talk about it,” Moore said.

The museum aims to document the history of small African American communities that Moore said are often overlooked in historical records.