The Allan Shivers Library and Museum is located at 302 N. Charlton, in the city of
Woodville, in the county of
Tyler, in the
U.S. state of
Texas. The structure is a
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The museum serves as a repository of historical records and memorabilia of the 37th Governor of Texas. It also houses Woodville's public library.
History
Allan Shivers
Robert Allan Shivers (; October 5, 1907 – January 14, 1985) was an American politician who served as the 37th governor of Texas. Shivers was a leader of the Texas Democratic Party during the turbulent 1940s and 1950s and developed the lieutenan ...
was the 37th
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas heads the state government of Texas. The governor is the leader of the executive and legislative branch of the state government and is the commander in chief of the Texas Military. The current governor is Greg Abbott, who ...
, serving in that position 1948–1957. Prior to that, he was
Lieutenant Governor of Texas and also served 12 years in the
Texas State Senate. Although he was born in
Lufkin
Lufkin is the largest city in Angelina County, Texas and the county seat. The city is situated in Deep East Texas and about 60 miles west of the Texas-Louisiana border. Its estimated population is 35,021 as of July 1, 2019.
Lufkin was founded ...
, the Shivers family owned a home near Woodville. He lived in Woodville until his high school years when the Shivers family moved to
Port Arthur. Governor Shivers was married to Marialice Shary (Shivers) from
Mission. The couple had four children.
The two-story
Victorian
Victorian or Victorians may refer to:
19th century
* Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign
** Victorian architecture
** Victorian house
** Victorian decorative arts
** Victorian fashion
** Victorian literature ...
style library and museum dates back to 1881 and its original resident by the name of Robert A. Cruse. Governor and Mrs. Shivers purchased the home in 1963, moving it to its current location. Interior designer
Melanie Kahane
Melanie Kahane (1910–1988) was an American interior designer and 1985 inductee of the Interior Design Hall of Fame. She was first recognized in the design world as the pioneer of one of the first colored kitchen appliances: a shiny red stove. Thi ...
, who had designed the interiors for a number of theatres in
New York City, was hired to help convert the residence into a museum to house historical records and memorabilia of the couple's personal and public lives. A part of the house was reserved for a local library.
Museum
The entire second story is devoted to the Shivers gubernatorial years. Featured first-floor rooms include a Victorian parlor furnished with antiques and family artifacts. The interior carpet was imported from France.
The trophy room houses Governor Shiver's
Zambia safari souvenirs. The Governor's private book collection in the Rare Books Room may be used only within the library and requires staff authorization. Conference facilities are available by advance reservation.
Admission, hours
Admission fee. Tours available. Groups over 10 people must book in advance.
Open 6 days a week.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
See also
*
List of museums in East Texas
References
External links
*
Official video presentation of the Allan Shivers Library and Museum
{{Authority control
Historic house museums in Texas
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks
Museums established in 1966
1966 establishments in Texas
Houses completed in 1881
Museums in Tyler County, Texas
Libraries in Tyler County, Texas