Whitehead Memorial Museum – Del Rio, Texas
The Whitehead Memorial Museum is more than 30 years old.  Located in the old Perry Mercantile Building the Museum has 20 exhibits for you to see and sits on more than two acres of beautifully landscaped space.  The exhibits are spread throughout several buildings, each one having a significant story to tell.  There are a total of 9 buildings which help to tell the story of the history of Del Rio and Val Verde County.
On display you will see the Cadena Nativity which is 32 feet long, 10 feet high and 20 feet deep and has 1,287 items.  This exhibit was the lifelong work of a local resident and donated to the Museum following her death.  This huge display is one you truly won’t want to miss.
You can see the exhibit dedicated to Dr. Rodriquez who became the first Hispanic Doctor in the Del Rio area in 1925.  He is credited with delivering over 3000 babies in the surrounding area.
Over the years there have been many residents that have been called up to serve in the military.  These brave people served in the Confederacy, WWI, WWII, and more.  Laughlin Air Force Base is the local base to the area.  The Museum has a “War Room” that displays various artifacts and period pieces from the above listed wars.
The Perry House, known as the Perry Mercantile, was built in 1870.  It was the largest mercantile store between San Antonia, Eagle Pass and El Paso.  If these walls could talk they could tell stories of the travelers that passed through the area which would keep you enthralled for days!  The family lived on the upper level of the building and the store was on the ground floor.
Enter the doors of the La Zappa Chapel which was built in honor of the 300 years of Spanish influence on Christianity in the area.  The chapel is named for the type of underground shelter used by travelers who passed through the area.  It is still used as a place for weddings and special occasions.
The Barn contains many different types of exhibits, ranging from early transportation, a wildlife safari display to a room dedicated to the history of Native American Indians.  These items reveal the diversity of the Del Rio/Val Verde county area and its residents.
Visit the Hal Patton Office building which was built in 1905.  The building now is the home for the Black Seminole Scouts exhibits.
The Museum also has a display dedicated to the Border Radio which was the world’s strongest radio station in the world.
The Jersey  Lil is on the grounds and is a replica of Judge Roy Bean’s famous saloon court.  For many years, Bean was the only “Law West of the Pecos.”  The Judge and his son, Sam are buried behind the Jersey Lil.
There are many more displays for you to enjoy while you are at the Museum so plan on spending at least 2 to 4 hours to visit.
The Museum also hosts Children’s programs and has special exhibits directed at children.  A perfect place for the whole family to spend a wonderful day.
Location:
Whitehead Memorial Museum
1308 S. Main St.
Del Rio, TX  78840
Phone Number
830.774.7568
E-mail
whiteheadmuseum@bizstx.rr.com