Texas Forestry Museum

The only museum of its kind in all of Texas, The Texas Forestry Museum is an exclusive attraction in the lush Pineywoods of Lufkin, Texas. From nature lovers and arborists to history buffs and children of all ages, this is a one-of-a-kind museum that explores the fascinating timeline of the industry that built this thriving area.

Five Decades of History

A full five decades of creativity and hard work have gone into making The Texas Forestry Museum a pinnacle of entertainment and education for locals and out-of-town visitors to discover — the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in April 2026. From the 1880s to the 1930s, an abundance of sawmills were sprinkled throughout the Texas Forests and entire towns were grown from their roots. In 1976, this well-established non-profit organization opened its doors on a two-acre campus near Lufkin's eastern boundary, and the rest is history waiting to be explored.

Exploring the Grounds and Exhibits

Find yourself in a fascinating world of artifacts preserved from the early days of the lumber boom. Begin your journey strolling along the Urban Wildscape Trail. This beautiful oasis held in the bosom of the museum's outer terrain serves as a natural escape from the city. Walk along its nearly half-mile trail to gain a stronger appreciation of these towering, organic wonders before entering the museum and perusing its many interesting forestry exhibitions.

Expertly crafted historic exhibitions like the Paper Mill Room, Sawmill Town History, and the Outdoor Train Exhibit — complete with a functional early-1900s steam engine that staff can power up on request — showcase how products made from trees were utilized in the past, and the important role railroads played in the sawmill process. A regular rotation of special events and lectures make it easy to branch off into whichever area of interest excites you during your visit.

A full round-up of educational insights include the East Texas sawmill, paper mill, logging train, and contemporary forestry. Your kids will love it too!

Fun for the Kids

The Children's Wing is tailored for hands-on learning and fun. These unique areas of the museum, including Timber Town and the Nature Playscape, encourage children and adults to dig in and get involved. Play games like Twig Wrapping, Wood You Play With Me?, Timber Tees, I-Spy, and the outdoor Lawn Games (keep an eye out for the Hoppin' Forest). All are perfectly designed for interactive learning. Younger visitors can also join the museum's Timber Tots summer camp program, and around the holidays, families can catch the museum's beloved Santa Claus Express event.

A Community Collaboration

An expansive collection of well-preserved artifacts owes its gratitude to the Texas Forestry Museum in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Lufkin, who partnered with the Texas Forestry Association to open the museum's doors in 1976. Bringing together the beauty of the East Texas Pineywoods, the education of nature science, and the exciting history of the forestry industry, The Texas Museum of Forestry is a breath of fresh air for all!

Be sure to visit The Texas Forestry Museum official website for most recent and up-to-date information.

Tour Texas profile sponsored by the City of Lufkin.