John Schuelke was the contractor for the museum. The original frame of the building is on the banks of the Colorado River, north of the old ferry boat crossing built in 1850 by John Cornelson. Christopher McGinnis, a lawyer and county judge, sold it to Joe B. Fehr in 1854 for $400.00. Joe Fehr, from Germany, added to the building using bricks made by the Lottman Brick in the hills east of town. The Wilbarger Room on the south and the Memorial Room on the north completed the Museum as it is today.

Mrs. Clara Maynard's Contributions

Mrs.Maynard, for many years active in civic affairs of the town and county, donated the room because she loves Bastrop and Bastrop County. The Clara Maynard room was added to the original brick addition. The new part blended so perfectly with the old that it is hard to determine where they join. The storage space was converted to a replica of a pioneer kitchen in 1975. Early day furnishings and kitchenware, well documented, will be found in this room which has been carefully fitted as the typically central room of the pioneer's home in Texas. Next to the museum is the kitchen. The kitchen was used for cooking, spinning yarn, sewing and washing clothes. Constructed of native timber and locally made brick, the museum has had a number of owners as well as various uses. It has been a tannery, a furniture craft shop and the residence of a river ferryboat operator. The North Room, a storage space and retaining walls were added in the 1970's.