I n the mid-1840s, Germans looking for a different life were reading and hearing about Texas as a land of opportunity, and they risked everything to get here, faced every obstacle and created a unique German colony in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
The Pioneer Museum is a combination museum and historical site on 3.5 acres. It features historic homesteads and buildings donated by founding families of Gillespie County.
Among the structures is a one-room school house, log cabin, Sunday house, bath house, barn and a smokehouse. Artifacts and architecture help to preserve and tell stories.
The Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department Museum, which displays pieces of early 20th century fire-fighting equipment, is also housed at the location.
VEREINS KIRCHE MUSEUM
Just two blocks away from the main grounds is the Vereins Kirche (Society Church), in the middle of the town square, Marktplatz. The building is a replica of the first that was constructed by pioneers.
The original, built in 1847, served as a combination church, school and community center for decades. The replica was built in 1935, and launched the Gillespie County Historical Society.
HISTORIC COUNTY JAIL
The Historic Jail was completed in December 1885. The building is 25 feet wide, 35 feet deep, and 20 to 22 feet high with two stories. The jail is open on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
KIDS’ PROGRAMS
Little Pioneers programs bring Gillespie County history to life for children with hands-on, interactive activities like blacksmithing, quilting, weaving, animal husbandry, stitching, baking and candle making.
The museum also celebrates the holidays with Kinderfest at Christmas time, and an Easter Egg hunt in spring.
There’s something for kids every month during the school year and weekly in summer.
ARCHIVES AND RESEARCH
The Gillespie County Historical Society (GCHS) houses archives pertaining to the life and culture of German settlers in Gillespie County.
GCHS encourages the public to take advantage of the resources, which includes almost 70,000 individual items. The museum also sells copies of historic images and research materials for various projects.
LIVING HISTORY DAYS
Pioneer Museum hosts Living History days monthly and as program events throughout the year.
Living history presenters from the Frontier History Company Foundation are at both the Pioneer Museum and the Historic Jail on the first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A Pioneer Museum Day Pass provides access to both locations and the presentations.
Handwerkers are on museum grounds on these first Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon, working on handwork projects like needlepoint, bobbin lace, embroidery, cross stitch, knitting and crochet.
The most popular Living History days are Founders Day (early May) and Spring Break week (mid-March).
These museum programs showcase the living history presenters from the Frontier History Company Foundation, as well as blacksmiths, rope makers, chuckwagon cooks, spinners, handwerkers, corn shellers and more.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Day passes are exclusively sold at Pioneer Museum and the Vereins Kirche Museum and are good for 24 hours from the time of purchase.
They provide entrance to the Pioneer Museum, Vereins Kirche Museum and Historic Jail (when open for programs).
Guided tours give groups of 15 or more an elevated Pioneer Museum experience with guides that interpret the historical relevance of each structure and, provide information.
Guided tours are about an hour and a half.
The Pioneer Museum store offers a varied selection of historical books by Texas Hill Country authors, locally made sauces, jams, candles and Texas-themed home decor, aprons, hand towels, pillows, signs, toys and memorabilia.
ADMISSION - DAY PASS
General Admission is $12, Military and Senior $7, Student $5, Children age 5 and under are free.
EVENTS
• March 2: First Saturday Living History Days
• March 11-26: Spring Break - Living History Days
• March 30: Community Easter Egg Hunt
• April 6: First Saturday Living History Days
• April 20: Little Pioneers Program – “Get Ready for Hummingbirds”
• April 30: Lenz Fest Celebration and Pioneer Spirit Awards
• May 4: Founders Day celebration, First Saturday Living History Days
• June 1: First Saturday Living History Days
• June 6, 13, 20, 27: Little Pioneers Summer Series
• July 11, 18, 25: Little Pioneers Summer Series
Check the Events page at pioneermuseum.org to see the dates and details for these programs.
Living History days and various kids’ programs, such as Little Pioneers, give guests a chance to get up close and personal with the historic tools and gear used by the early settlers in the area.
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