Museums In Longview, Texas

Next time you’re visiting Longview on a vacation, just passing through, or staying for a weekend, you should visit some of these Longview Museums.

East Texas Oil Museum – Kilgore

We have visited the East Texas Oil Museum and thought that is was very well done, interesting, and informative. Through a variety of different medium (movie, TV video, talking figures, and more) the museum takes back in time and through the history of the East Texas oil field, which unfolds in way seldom experienced.

The museum is built around a full scale boom town from the 1930’s with dramatic historical sound presentations that leave an unforgettable memory. You’ll see original film footage, take a simulated elevator ride 3800 feet down a well shaft to an oil deposit, plus visit a period general store, barber shop, post office, machine shop, and more. Life size well done hand painted murals of early oil production depict life in the oil field and 1930s. And don’t forget to stop in the gift shop for a memento of your visit.

Gregg County Historical Museum

The museum is housed in the historic Everett Building in Downtown Longview. Originally built as the Citizens National Bank in 1910, it was presented to the Gregg County Historical Foundation in 1979. The Everett Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has an Official Texas Historical Marker. The many exhibits illustrate the development of Gregg County with numerous artifacts and historic photographs. A specially designed hands-on area is a favorite of both children and adults. The first Saturday of December, history and exhibits come alive when actors depict holiday traditions from years gone by.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts

Chartered in 1970, the Museum houses a comprehensive collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture focusing on artist primarily of the Southwest, especially Texans. In addition to a permanent collection, Longview Art Museum presents special exhibits each month. A gift gallery has a unique selection of items, jewelry, cards and items chosen to compliment visiting exhibitions or highlight features of the permanent collection. During Holiday Market each November and December the gift gallery overflows into adjoining exhibition space with selections by artisans from all over the world.

R.G. LeTourneau Museum

One of the most prolific inventors of oil and earth-moving equipment, the museum contains personal memorabilia of R.G. LeTourneau (1888-1969). Scale models of many of his inventions as well as the first offshore oil drilling platforms are on display. Tours of the campus are available and welcome with prior arrangement.