Mission: Article 11, Museum Foundation Bylaws: The purpose of the Lampasas County Museum Foundation shall be, through the establishment of a historical museum and allied projects, a program which will bring about better understanding of, and appreciation for, the outstanding natural and unique historical heritage and culture of Lampasas County.

 

Location: The Keystone Square Museum is located at 305 S. Western Street, off Third Street, in downtown Lampasas.

 

Hours: Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm, and by appointment. Tours welcome. Call 512-556-2224 to leave a message.

 

Brief history of the Museum: The Lampasas Bicentennial Committee created a sub-committee (the Museum Committee) to form museum dedicated to the history and culture of Lampasas County. The committee leased the Hart House at 511 Southwestern Avenue in May of 1976 for $100 a month. In July of 1976, due to the unexpected death of the owner of the Hart House, the Museum Committee moved to the Spann House, now known as the Cauthen House, at 206 South Walnut, leasing the building from Mrs. Ruth Spann for $1.00 per year. In 1977, the Museum Committee purchased the Lampasas Plumbing and Sheet Metal Building at 305 South Western Avenue for $13,500 with the intention of creating a permanent home for the museum. The building dates to the 1870s and is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Lampasas.

 

While preparing the South Western site for the museum, the Committee opened the first museum in the Cauthen House on May 13, 1978.

 

On June29, 1979, the Keystone Square Museum opened its doors at 305 South Western for the first time with one temporary display, the "Texas Rangers Exhibit." For the next few years, the building was used for special exhibitions and shows, but sparingly, while board members planned for permanent displays and completed essential renovations and repairs.

 

On August 13, 1980, the Lampasas County Museum Foundation, Inc., was created pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act; and its Articles of Incorporation were certified by the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas effective August 13, 1980, with Filing Number 52857101.

 

In October of 1981, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determined that the Lampasas County Museum Foundation, Inc., was organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and was exempt from Federal Income Tax and that contributions to the Foundation were deductible. This exempt status was confirmed in a separate IRS Letter of Determination issued June 4, 1987.

 

During the July 1982 Spring Ho Festival, the museum unveiled a portion of its permaent collection in the new building. Within weeks, the Board closed the Cauthen House location and consolidated the entire collection in the former plumbing and sheet metal building.

 

On July 14, 1982, the Keystone Square Museum opened its doors to the public for continuous operation at 305 South Western Street, Lampasas, Texas.