Opening May 23rd at the Lake Jackson Historical Museum, Uncovering the Past: Untold Stories of Lake Jackson History will showcase histories from the plantation era to the time Dow Chemical developed the area into a town during World War II. The stories of others who owned or lived on the land before its development by Dow are often overlooked, but they provide an important context for understanding our area's past and the forces that shaped it. 

This exhibit will shed light on stories that have been left out of the popular historical narrative of this area, which typically begins with Abner Jackson, a Georgia-born man who settled in Brazoria County, TX, and established Lake Place (more commonly known as the Lake Jackson Plantation) in 1842. The Jackson Plantation initially thrived, but with the death of Abner Jackson in 1861 and the Civil War soon after, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the land. Eventually, the remaining Jackson family sold the plantation due to back taxes and debt. In the early 1870s, the plantation fell into the hands of Ward, Dewey & Co., who leased state inmates for agricultural labor during the convict leasing era. The property changed hands several more times over the years until Dow Chemical acquired it in 1941 to establish a new town for its employees, marking the transition from a plantation to the vibrant community of Lake Jackson.

This is the history that is well known and has been told at length through books, news articles, and exhibitions. We are excited to dig deeper and reveal the unheard stories of those who lived in the Lake Jackson area before Dow Chemical arrived.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

7 - 8:30 PM

Lake Jackson Historical Museum

Be the first to see our new temporary exhibit Uncovering the Past: Untold Stories of Lake Jackson History. We will celebrate the opening of this exhibit by welcoming our community to the museum for a free evening reception from 7 to 8:30 PM.

Beer, wine, and light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to help museum staff plan accordingly!

Members are invited to a special advance presentation beginning at 6 PM. Active LJHA members only, please. Not a member yet? Become one today!

We have been renovating our former gift shop space at the Lake Jackson Historical Museum into an Activity Center & Reading Corner for families and young visitors to relax and have fun!

Our comfy Reading Corner has non-fiction children's books about important figures, events, and themes in Texas history and culture. From Opal Lee and the creation of Juneteenth to Lake Jackson's own Selena Quintanilla, you and your little ones will be sure to enjoy our new library.

Our Activity Center currently has both new and old-school board games for the family to enjoy, as well as coloring pages inspired by Texas history. We are working hard to create even more activities centering on archaeology, Native American culture, and more!

And don't worry- we haven't gotten rid of our awesome gift shop! We've just moved it out into the atrium. Come visit us today!



Take a drive through the City of Enchantment with our Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Lake Jackson Driving Tour! This tour was developed by Martin Merritt, a Lake Jackson native and member of the Houston Mod Board of Directors.

The tour includes over 20 stops at homes, churches, and businesses in Lake Jackson built as early as 1943 through the early 1960s. See the architectural visions of Alden B. Dow and other local mid-century modernists like Philip G. Willard and others.

Pick up a guide at the Alden B. Dow Office Museum or Lake Jackson Historical Museum!

Did you know that the Lake Jackson Historical Museum is available to rent for private events?

The museum is a unique and exciting place to have your event! We can welcome up to 200 people in our two-story museum space.

Rates:

$100 per hour

$150 per hour if your event requires us to close the museum to the public during our regular hours (Tuesday - Saturday, 10 pm - 4 pm)

All events must be booked for a minimum of 4 hours, including clean up and tear down.

Call (979) 297-1570 or email director@ljhistory.org to learn more about our policies and inquire about your event!

Something to Chew On: Waterfowl History of theTexas Gulf Coast

Thursday, May 18th, 12 - 1 PM

249 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Admission: $5 for non-members, free for members

Come lunch and learn with us! Houston publisher John Kemp will discuss the history of waterfowl hunting in southern Brazoria County and along the Gulf Coast.

Honor Someone You Love

Pave the walkway to the Lake Jackson Historical Museum or the Jackson Plantation Historic Site with a personalized brick. 

Order a memorial brick here.