Board Members speak on Gaston Museum Closing
JOINERVILLE, Texas (KETK) – Over the weekend, the Gaston Museum posted on their Facebook page that they will be closing for good at the end of this month.
“It’s sad but we’ll always remember it,” Dwight Huntsman, Gaston School alumni and museum board vice president, said.
The board of the Gaston Museum in Rusk County, near Henderson has decided it’s time to close the doors for good.
“Lack of volunteers, lack of funding anymore, the interest in what we have is still wonderful. But, its just not enough,” Stephanie Osteen, Gaston Museum chairman of the board, said.
After nearly 20 years of sharing Gaston Schools and Joinerville’s rich history, the board feels it’s time for the next chapter.
“Wish it didn’t have to happen, but we don’t no know any other way,” Huntsman said.
With a lack of funding and volunteers, they said it’s been difficult to maintain the business.
“But there’s just no help, and you cannot do it with one or two people. It’s not possible,” Osteen said.
The museum told the story of the discovery of one of the largest oil fields in the world, and the community that formed in the area afterward.
“It has been very special, one of our former coaches said that the greatest people in the world live right here in Joinerville,” Huntsman said.
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Artifacts, memorabilia and other items from the Gaston Museum will head to the Kilgore Oil Museum and the Depot Museum in Henderson.
“So we’ve given all of our things new homes that they can be seen and treasured forever,” Osteen said.
Huntsman was a part of one of the last graduating classes from Gaston High School, earning his diploma in 1964.
“It’s just a heart bearing thing to remember the school and how it was to go to Gaston School,” Huntsman said.
Huntsman and Osteen are proud to have carried out the legacy of the Red Devils and share the history with East Texans through the museum.
They will always remember the hard working, humble people that came from the Gaston community and their part in East Texas history.
The Gaston Museum is offering tours, by appointment, through the end of April.
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