Edgewood Heritage Park in Edgewood, Texas

History of the Park

Founded in 1976 as a bicentennial ongoing project, Edgewood Heritage Park encompasses fourteen restored and furnished structures representing rural life in 1900 Van Zandt County. The outdoor museum preserves the rural culture and architectural heritage for present and future generations.

Turn of the century buildings, such as the "Tomcat" Cafe, Gilliam's Gas Station, a country store, barber shop and print shop help visitors experience a taste of what life was like back then.

The Village is the focal point of Downtown Edgewood, covering parts of three downtown city blocks, and is the site for many community celebrations.  It is the destination of tourists in search of an historical attraction void of the hustle and bustle associated with the metropolitan areas.   
 
Educational programs are offered to schools with the emphasis on the third and fourth grades. During the tours, students experience activities of yesteryear through demonstrations by costumed and trained volunteers. The film industry has chosen this quiet, rural village as the setting for scenes in several television productions.

Edgewood Heritage Festival is held annually at 106 Main in Edgewood (50 miles east of Dallas or 10 miles north of Canton).

If you listen closely, you can hear the faint echo of yesteryear floating through the 20 structures that line Heritage Park Village. Although stilled, it is easy to imagine the  creak of the rocking chair on the worn wooden planks of the Scott cabin's front porch, a rustic relic from the 1870's, while the cry of "Hallelujah!" seems to ring inside the Church of the Wildwood, where Van Zandt county residents worshipped at the dawn of the 20th century. Perhaps you'll hear the distant blast of a locomotive whistle as you walk up to the cheerily-painted Murchison Depot, or catch the clink of glasses as you peer through the red and white gingham checked curtains draped across the windows of Tom's Cafe, where flappers in rolled stockings dined during the Jazz era. Each structure has a story to tell, and since 1977 their tales have been passed down to successive generations as festival attendees gather at Heritage Park Village for a yearly tribute to times gone by.

 Taste buds competitions are tempting during the Chili Cook-off, and weekend chefs stir up a batch of a favorite Lone Star side dish during the Pinto Bean Cook-off.

Animals also get in on the action as pooches parade around in canine costumes, vying for first place in a dog show, while tiny "armored" Texas tanks race toward the finish line in Sparky Sparks Armadillo Races.

From Model A's to nostalgic Chevrolets, take a trip down memory lane as you view the sassy chassis on display in the Classic Car Show, or enjoy a nostalgic nod to the town's founding fathers at a historical re-enactment, performed in period costume amid the historic buildings that have a permanent home at Heritage Park Village.

In the quilt display, multi-colored patches of fabric lovingly stitched by hand in Grandmother's Flower Garden, Double Wedding Ring and Honeycomb patterns will warm your heart at the quilt show, while in another area a basket maker weaves reeds into receptacles-- just two of the handmade specialties showcased during the festival. Sewing and basketry were essential skills for women in the past, and visitors can learn more about pioneer life during a tour of the park's historic buildings.

Christmas is just around the corner, and while parents search of presents among the booths at the Sidewalk Art Sale little ones can whisper their holiday gift wish list to Santa and Mrs. Claus.