Know Your History

IN THE MOOD FOR A LITTLE HISTORY?

Look no further than one of these nearby museums – hubs of history and culture that help make Denton distinctive. These museums honor the heroes of our city, open avenues for explorations and deep dives into our rich yesteryears, and reveal how the creativity of Dentonites past and present. Take a stroll through the hallowed halls of Denton history with one of these establishments.

Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum

In 1979, the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum opened on the second floor in the former 16th District Courtroom. Over the years, the museum has acquired an impressive collection of Denton County history. From apple corers to zithers, the museum’s artifacts offer vignettes into the stories of our community. We are celebrating this milestone by showcasing a selection of 40 items from our collection. 
40 for 40 Exhibit Part 1 
40 for 40 Exhibit Part 2

For updated protocols, hours, and exhibition information, please visit their website.

Denton County Historical Park

The park is home to the Bayless-Selby House museum and the African American Museum in the historic Quakertown House. Future plans for the park include the renovation of the Taylor Log Cabin and the Woods House, a second Quakertown house. 
For updated protocols, hours, and exhibition information, please visit their website.

TWU Library Woman’s Collection

Featured collection: Florence Nightingale
Experience the story of the “Lady of the Lamp’s” life and legacy through artifacts, ephemera, letters, books and other materials.

Cookbook Collection
The collections include books, vendors’ pamphlets, recipe books dating from 1624, conduct and etiquette manuals, household management techniques, and menus from around the world. Primarily donor sustained, the Woman’s Collection strengthens the collection with purchases of foodographies and culinary bibliographies.

Mercury 13
The Mercury 13 collection is composed of individual personal collections from Mercury 13 participants. The digital collection showcases images from Geraldine Truhill, Bernice Steadman, Jerrie Cobb, Irene Leverton, and Wally Funk.

WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) collection
Between 1942 and 1944, more than 1,000 women became the first women to fly for the US Military as civilian pilots. See the archive of WASP memorabilia at TWU on your next visit to Denton.

Denton Firefighters Museum

The Denton Firefighters Museum takes visitors on a journey to honor brave firefighters, past and present. The Museum hosts a collection of fascinating memorabilia from the 1800s to modern day, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the evolution of firefighting over the last 150 years.
For updated protocols, hours, and exhibition information, please visit their website.