Texas Cast Iron Museum

[58limited]

Texas has a new cast iron museum and its 23 miles from my house! I went to have a look today - its not always open, I contacted them via Facebook Messenger and I had to go to the automotive shop next door to meet the museum owner then we walked over to the museum. He has about 1000 pieces on display including some very rare stuff: Erie Spider Web Skillet - ultra rare, some consider it the holy grail of skillets; an 1880s cast iron prison chamber pot used in the cells at night - only two are known to exist and one of them is here; and a huge ornate butcher's cauldron complete with fire box - very similar to this one but fully restored: https://castironstove.biz/2018/11/05...-cow-and-corn/

He didn't want me to take pictures, the museum is in the country but on a major road - despite the security cameras it is too easy to break in and steal some stuff and make a fast getaway so he doesn't want pictures posted. He has a few pics on his facebook page (he does not have a web page) but most pics are of cast iron cooking events taken outside: There is a local cast iron cooking club that meets once a month and cooks together.

Texas Cast Iron Museum, 9685 TX-62, Orange, TX 77632 (its actually just south of the town of Mauriceville) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578270908045

The museum is a non-profit and runs on donations. The owner also cleans and restores cast iron for a fee. I bought a t-shirt and a book: A Cast Iron Journey by James P Anderson, turns out its a signed copy.

The museum's grand opening was three months ago and the owner told me they had people from across the country come for it. The owner is active in some national level cast iron groups and helped me with the mystery bean pot that Panhead John gave to me a couple of years ago. He took pictures of it and by the time I drove home his club members responded: based on the style of the number '8' on the bottom they think it is an old Lodge pot. Now to find a lid for it.


From his Facebook page:



The museum, automotive shop in the background


Apple grinder with double presses for making apple cider


Coffee Grinder, you can see the Butcher's Cauldron behind it


One of the display walls

[Oak Smoke]

I could spend hours there!

[58limited]

Its not very big but there is a lot of cool stuff to see. The owner sells some items, he is about to restore a 20" skillet similar to the one Kent Rollins uses and he will sell it for around $500-$600. He has a couple of old Griswold versions including one that is in almost unused condition that are on display and not for sale.

[Oak Smoke]

58limited I can get into collector grade cast iron. I’ve got a couple of fairly rare skillets. The gem of my collection is what I believe to be a first year BSR Sportsman grill in almost unused condition. I bought it from a guy that found it at a garage sale. He had no idea what he had and I was unsure. When he asked if I’d give 300 dollars for it I paid him right then. Since then I’ve been able to add the shallow fish fryer, deep fish fryer, and the lid-griddle to the collection.

[Richard Chrz]

I could too, i think admiring the craftsmanship and history would keep me there.

[Michael_in_TX]

I love Texas.

[Oak Smoke]

+1

[TripleB]

That would be a fun museum to peruse through. Munching on some of Dave's smoked beef sausage . Love my CI.

[CaptainMike]

This is wonderful, David!

[Jerod Broussard]

That is the way I would go back home; 96 to Buna, 62 to Interstate 10. Until I got tired of the construction.

Pretty cool.

[Purc]

What has this museum wrought?