On October 31, 2024, The Texas Civil War Museum will close forever. After 15 years, Ray and Judy Richey have decided to retire. One of the best collections of Civil War artifacts will no longer be available for public viewing. The building has been sold and the artifacts will be sold individually on consignment by The Horse Soldier Antiques of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Except for its Facebook page, the museum website has been taken down.
The museum is a Civil War artifact museum with emphasis on weapons, uniforms, flags, and equipment used by Union and Confederate soldiers. In addition, one of the best collections of Victorian Era dresses in the country is featured. Among the museum's many artifacts are a presentation sword that belonged to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, Major General Jeb Stuart’s headquarters flag, and Major General Phill Sheridan’s saber.
Though public opinion was mostly favorable, journalists roundly condemned the museum for not placing enough emphasis on or completely avoiding the issue of slavery. Because the museum is located in the Fort Worth suburb of White Settlement, they couldn’t resist tying the museum to the city’s racist sounding name. Many may rejoice in its closing, but you will never see a collection like this in Texas again-period!
Funding for private museums is often difficult to obtain and is never a sure thing, especially when you have to rely on a large steady stream of paying visitors. Despite the revenue problems, Ray always kept the admission fees low. It was his dream to present his collection to the public. When a civil war diorama, constructed by Arizona high school students, was destroyed by the curator of a Texas military history museum, Ray put up the money for its replacement, unveiled it at the Texas Capitol, and had it placed at the Texas Civil War Museum. To this day, it is the museum’s largest draw. That’s the kind of man he is.
Though the film may be a bit outdated and the sale of Confederate-themed souvenirs raises eyebrows, there is no intent to propagate racism, domestic terrorism, the Confederate cause or any cause for that matter. Ray and Judy have provided a wonderful gift to Texas that future generations will never see and present generations can only remember through iPhone photos.
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