The most commonly heard statement at the Red River Valley Museum from first time visitors is, "I never dreamed that a town this size would have a museum like this." Indeed, towns with a population much larger than Vernon's 12,000 would be proud to offer as many world-class exhibits in such a beautiful setting.
The Red River Valley Museum is home to the extensive wild game collection donated by Bill Bond as well as several historical exhibits dealing with archaeology, geology, ranching history, and life in early Vernon. The museum has the largest collection of the sculpture of Electra Waggoner Biggs plus a replica of her studio. Other exhibits highlight Vernon native Jack Teagarden, Doans Crossing, and the Great Western Trail.
Every spring the museum hosts an international juried art show featuring artwork in a variety of media. Additional art exhibits during the year usually feature area artists. Programs and classes of interest to the community are offered periodically. Recent programs included such varied topics as cowboy poetry, the history of the great western trail, and the butterflies of the rolling plains.
The Red River Valley Museum is not a typical small-town museum with static exhibits but a museum dedicated to pleasing the return visitor. Doans Crossing, the halfway point on the Great Western Trail, located near Vernon, Doans was the last supply point for trail drives headed into Indian Territory. Donations to help the museum are appreciated.
