The first exhibit hall you will encounter is a glimpse into what 1930s life was like for the citizens of East Texas. View several displays with period artifacts, including a typical kitchen, school, and transportation of the era.

Then, enter through the double doors to the indoor boomtown. The museum does a nice job of making you feel like you have walked onto the street of a bustling new town. Here you will find; a barbershop, bank, post office, general store, gas station, machine shop, the local newspaper, and a drug store.

Additionally, take in the film at the boomtown movie theatre, “Greatest Texas Oil Boom,” where you will see footage from the 1930s, and then get to experience a gusher.

During your visit, you’ll also want to check out the peculiar elevator ride 3,800 feet below ground (wink, wink.) It is just odd enough to make you wonder if you’re on a tour of an eccentric person’s chocolate factory. However, at Boomtown’s Gladewater Museum, you will find Professor Rockbottom instead of Willy Wonka.

Before you go, head back to the entrance where you can browse the gift shop, and turn in scavenger hunt checklists.