Pearce Museum

03/26/2026

Tonight at 5:30 is our Texas Invitational closing reception, where we will host our artists for drinks, snacks, and to announce our people's choice award! We hope to see you there!

03/23/2026

The Pearce Museum extends a generous thank you to the volunteers who brought their presentations and artifacts to our living history day on March 14th. It was a great way to start spring break, and the weather was unbeatable!

We also thank you if you visited the museum during this special event, and we hope to see you back next year!

03/14/2026

Volunteer Katelyn Kearns of Prairie Flower Historical gives a detailed presentation on women's clothing of the 1860s.

03/14/2026

Good morning from the Pearce Museum!

03/13/2026

Below is our schedule for tomorrow's program. We are expecting generous weather, with clear skies and moderate temperatures!

Please remember that the presentations in the Cook Center atrium are free of charge, but regular admission applies to tour the museum itself.

-Museum Rates-

Adults: $8
Seniors: $6
Students (5 - 17): $4
NC Staff and Students: Free
Veterans: Free

See you tomorrow!

03/12/2026

Museum Director Rhett Kearns and uniform researcher Frederick Adolphus examine the uniform coat of Captain James A. Holeman, who served in Company A of the 24th North Carolina Infantry throughout the Civil War. Also examined is the slouch hat of Captain James M. Benefield, who served in Company B of the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles. Joining them on the table is an unknown officer's crimson silk sash.

Researching the material culture of past garments lends clues to the full picture these people lived through. It is important to record the details for both the history and for conservation.

Thank you for joining us, Fred! Thanks Peyton for the photo!

03/11/2026

The Pearce Museum extends a hearty thanks to Krista Wilke for her generous donation of letters. This collection was written by four relatives of the Rush family. The three soldiers, John, William, and Richard, served in company, 137th New York Volunteer Infantry.

The 137th New York volunteers distinguished themselves in many major battles in the Eastern theater and the Western theater of the Civil War. They famously held the line at Culps Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. They helped open a supply line to the besieged city of Chattanooga during the battle of Wauhatchie (one of the few night battles of the war). The unit served throughout the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's March to the Sea and through the Carolinas. More can be read about this regiment here: https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/137th-new-york/

The Pearce Museum values these treasured artifacts as a substantial educational tool and significant reminder of our nation's history. Thank you again, Krista!

03/05/2026

Volunteer and historical fashion researcher Katelyn Kearns prepares a mannequin with her own original dress from the early 1860s. In preparation for our living history next weekend, we are installing a new exhibit about the eve of the Civil War.

Come see Katelyn give a presentation on March 14 about how women and children's fashions were utilized as an everyday part of life 160 years ago!

03/03/2026

Our credit card machine is out, and until we get a replacement, the museum can only take cash for admissions. And no, sorry, even though we have a Civil War collection, we cannot take Confederate money for an admission unless it is a donation!

As a courtesy, admission prices are as follows:

Adult: $8

Senior (55+): $6

Student (5-17 years old): $4

Veterans, museum members, and Navarro College staff and students are free!

Photo: 1863 depiction of Confederate soldiers "buying" store goods from a Pennsylvania store.

02/20/2026

Step back in time at Living History Day at The Pearce Museum! 🇺🇸
📅 March 14, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Cook Education Center
Experience history brought to life with reenactors in authentic historic attire, engaging presentations, and live musket and fi****ms demonstrations throughout the day.
🗓 Schedule of Events:
• 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Historic Fashions – Dressing the Woman and Child in the 1860s
• 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Sarah Edmunds – Her Experience as a Soldier
• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: “A Terrifick Fire” Civil War Fi****ms Talk & Musket Demonstration
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: “Hardtack and Coffee” – Rations in the Civil War (Break for Volunteers)
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: “Filled with Mutilated Humanity” – Medical Demonstration
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Cavalry Weapons & Demonstration
• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Fi****ms Demonstration
🎟 Free admission to presentations
🎫 Regular admission applies to museum entry
Bring the whole family and experience a powerful day of education, history, and live demonstrations you won’t want to miss!

02/18/2026

Happening tomorrow! Open reception at 5:30 PM, see you then!

TEXAS INVITATIONAL Art Show and Sale OPENING RECEPTION
The Pearce Museum at Navarro College, Feb 19, 5:30P-7:30P
**Two of my paintings chosen. Great Show with over 40 Artist.