Paris, Texas –– The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site invites the public to explore Service, Duty, and Home: The Maxey and Long Families in American History, a new temporary exhibit on display in the Visitor Center now through December 31.

As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States, Service, Duty, and Home highlights the Maxey and Long family members who answered calls to serve during pivotal moments in American history.

Through original artifacts from the Maxey House collection, visitors can explore stories of military leadership, civic responsibility, public service, and care for others, discovering how national events shaped everyday life in northeast Texas and the lives of the families who called the Maxey House home.

From now through August 6, the exhibit will also feature the Texas America250 Traveling Exhibit from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, made possible locally through the partnership and support of the Paris Public Library. This special traveling exhibit provides additional context about Texas' role in the nation's history as America commemorates its semi-quincentennial.

“Service, Duty, and Home offers visitors an opportunity to see how the experiences of one Paris family connect to larger stories of American history,” said Elana Barton, site educator. “The exhibit helps illustrate how service can take many forms, from military and public service to caring for family and community.”

The exhibit is free to view in the Visitor Center. Visitors are also encouraged to take a guided tour of the historic Maxey House to learn more about the families who lived there and the history of the home itself.

For more information or to schedule a group tour, please call the Maxey House at 903-785-5716 or visit the site’s website.

Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, was built in 1868 in the High Victorian Italianate-style as the home of Samuel Bell Maxey and his wife Marilda. Maxey served in the U.S.-Mexico War, was a Confederate general, and two-term U.S. Senator. Members of the Maxey family lived in the house until 1966 and the restored house reflects almost 100 years of their continuous use. For more information visit www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com.
www.thc.texas.gov