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'''Buffalo Gap Historic Village''' is a large [[museum]] in Taylor County, [[Texas]], which consists of fifteen outdoor structures and artifacts that reach back to the late 19th century and the early 20th century. It is located in the small town of Buffalo Gap south of [[Abilene]].  

'''Buffalo Gap Historic Village''' is a large [[museum]] in Taylor County, [[Texas]], which consists of fifteen outdoor structures and artifacts that reach back to the late 19th century and the early 20th century. It is located in the small town of Buffalo Gap south of [[Abilene]].  

==Overview==

==Overview==

The museum focuses particularly upon the years 1883, 1905, and 1925. The village is centered on the original Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail from 1879. Several entire buildings have been moved to the village from other parts of the state for display, including an early Texaco [[gasoline]] station.<ref name=tstg>Texas Department of Transportation, ''Texas State Travel Guide, 2008'', p. 113.</ref>  The Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris"/>​

The museum focuses particularly upon the years 1883, 1905, and 1925. The village is centered on the original Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail from 1879. Several entire buildings have been moved to the village from other parts of the state for display, including an early Texaco [[gasoline]] station.<ref name=tstg>Texas Department of Transportation, ''Texas State Travel Guide, 2008'', p. 113.</ref>  The Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.​

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Other buildings include pioneer log cabins, a medical display, a barbershop, [[railroad]] depot with a working [[telegraph]] system, blacksmith shop, two-room [[school]], bank, [[post office]], and air-conditioned [[chapel]]. Additionally, there is a large collection of firearms and Indian exhibits. The gift shop has an assortment of books and Texas gifts. A short [[video]] on the [[history]] of the region is presented in the visitors center. Picnicking facilities and playground equipment are available.<ref name=tstg/>​

Other buildings include pioneer log cabins, a medical display, a barbershop, [[railroad]] depot with a working [[telegraph]] system, blacksmith shop, two-room [[school]], bank, [[post office]], and air-conditioned [[chapel]]. Additionally, there is a large collection of firearms and Indian exhibits. The gift shop has an assortment of books and Texas gifts. A short [[video]] on the [[history]] of the region is presented in the visitors center. Picnicking facilities and playground equipment are available.<ref name=tstg/>​

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The village originated as a historic site in 1956. Three years later, Ernest Walter Wilson, Sr. (1891-1970), an [[attorney]], l [[historian]], rancher and [[clergy]]man, purchased the courthouse building and established a small museum of Indian and Western artifacts. Wilson, who spent his last years at Buffalo Gap,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32335355/ernest-walter-wilson|title=Ernest Walter Wilson, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Wilson also procured two other Taylor County structures, the Hill House and the Knight/Sayles Cabin. All are incorporated in the Buffalo Gap Village.  

The village originated as a historic site in 1956. Three years later, Ernest Walter Wilson, Sr. (1891-1970), an [[attorney]], l [[historian]], rancher and [[clergy]]man, purchased the courthouse building and established a small museum of Indian and Western artifacts. Wilson, who spent his last years at Buffalo Gap,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32335355/ernest-walter-wilson|title=Ernest Walter Wilson, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Wilson also procured two other Taylor County structures, the Hill House and the Knight/Sayles Cabin. All are incorporated in the Buffalo Gap Village. Dr. Rae Lee Rode (1922-2011), and his wife, Elizabeth Ann, purchased Buffalo Gap in 1977. The Rodes expanded the site by acquiring more regional historic structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64382707/rae-lee-rode|title=Dr. Rae Lee Rode|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>  When Rode retired from medicine, he offered the village for sale. Through the efforts of the Taylor County Historical Foundation, the village was maintained intact and acquired by the Grady McWhiney Research Foundation. It is operated as a [[non-profit organization|non-profit]] educational facility. The village charges a small admission fee.<ref name=gap>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalogap.com/bghistory.html|title=Buffalo Gap History|publisher=buffalogap.com|accessdate=April 8, 2020}}</ref>​

 

Dr. Rae Lee Rode (1922-2011), and his wife, Elizabeth Ann, purchased Buffalo Gap in 1977. The Rodes expanded the site by acquiring more regional historic structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64382707/rae-lee-rode|title=Dr. Rae Lee Rode|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>  When Rode retired from medicine, he offered the village for sale. Through the efforts of the Taylor County Historical Foundation, the village was maintained intact and acquired by the Grady McWhiney Research Foundation. It is operated as a [[non-profit organization|non-profit]] educational facility. The village charges a small admission fee.<ref name=gap>http://www.buffalogap.com/bghistory.html</ref>​

 

==Interpretative theme==

==Interpretative theme==