BURTON COTTON GIN FESTIVAL

by Steph Jarvis, Museum Director, Texas Cotton Gin Museum

History’s alive at the Official Cotton Gin Museum of Texas, home of the oldest operating cotton gin in America. The Burton Farmers Gin is powered by a 1925 Bessemer engine, the largest of its vintage still operating in the United States. Recognized by the ASME, Smithsonian Institution, National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Register of Historic Places, museum guests are transported to an era that defined the American Spirit.

Thousands of visitors from around the world tour the historic cotton gin where it has stood since 1914. Exhibits highlighting tools, equipment and photographs make the history of cotton come to life for all ages. Educational programs are available for school groups. Docent guided tours are available daily that last approxamately 60 to 90 minutes. The Museum Store has gifts for all ages and occasions offering books, t-shirts, caps, souvenirs, cotton bales, cotton boll angels, cotton boll wreaths and many other items that make shopping a treat. Daily tours offer visitors a fun and educational presentation on cotton where they discover its impact on Texas and American history, and learn how the seeds are separated from the soft white fibers.

Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free. Gin tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Group rates are available. From top a grand parade kicks off the Burton Cotton Gin Festival; the antique tractor show is always a hit with festivalgoers of all ages; live music keeps toes tapping at the festival. Photos courtesy James Bethany.