Step inside a traditional thatched grass house representing the lifeways of the Waco people who once lived in this region. Built inside the museum using historically accurate materials and techniques, the structure was created in collaboration with Wichita tribal member Derek Ross and fellow artisans who harvested little bluestem grass and constructed the house using traditional methods. This immersive experience explores Indigenous cultural survival, continuity, and revival while sharing the deep history of the Waco people.

Enter a Comanche tipi and explore the story of the Comanche people, known for their skill as riders, hunters, and traders.

Animated projections outside the tipi feature artwork by Comanche artist and flute player Tim Nevaquaya, bringing stories of resilience and cultural strength to life.

Discover the strength and resilience of African American communities following emancipation.

Visitors explore scenes of community life, mutual aid networks, and Black-owned businesses while a recreated church space introduces recordings from the Black Gospel Archives, preserving the powerful sounds of gospel music.

Learn how the vaquero tradition shaped ranching culture across Texas.

Through this experience, visitors discover how Tejano communities navigated changing borders while maintaining strong cultural traditions that helped define the region’s identity and working landscapes. Experience our digital scroll with local records featuring Latino families and businesses during this time period. 

Step into a frontier log house and experience daily life for Europeans who established homes in the region. Through the story of a young woman living in the house, visitors learn about the work, challenges, and material culture of life on the Texas frontier.

A recreation of the Waco Suspension Bridge façade highlights one of the most important structures in the region’s history. When it opened in 1870, the bridge allowed people, livestock, and goods to safely cross the Brazos River, helping connect communities and grow commerce in Central Texas. In the exhibition, the bridge also serves as a gateway leading visitors to the museum’s Historic Village.