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| Location: Fourth and Louisiana St. P.O. Box 186 Bernice, LA 71222 (318) 285-2433 |
| Bernice Depot Museum & Captain Henderson Kids' Caboose |
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Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission Free * Contributions Accepted Administered by the Bernice Historical Society The Depot The
Bernice Depot Museum was built about 1899 when the railroad first came
to Bernice, and it served as a depot for the Arkansas Southern Railroad
and for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific until the latter ceased
operation in 1984. As far as can be determined, it is the only standing
Rock Island depot in Louisiana that has not been significantly altered
for other purposes, moved from its original site, or simply destroyed.
The building has a Main Room, a Rock Island Room, a small office, and a rest room. The Rock Island Room holds artifacts and paper memorabilia from the defunct rail line, many of which were donated or loaned by former Rock Island employees. Among a variety of Rock Island hand tools, there is a rail carrier. Looking like some large strange pair of pliers, two of these and four men were needed to lift a steel rail and set it in place. Artifacts permanently on display include a handmade wooden ox yoke bought by pioneer Porter family on their trek from Alabama. The heavy contraption was used to keep the beasts together while they were pulling a wagon or plow. A handmade spinning wheel with a similar history comes from the T.K. Phillips family, and a foot-pedal powered job press was donated by Kelly Printers. Medical instruments used by local doctors, and loaned by Dr. W.C. Reeves, fill a white enamelled cabinet in one corner. Changing exhibits run the gamut from work of early local artists to a display of locally excavated darts, arrow, and spear points from Bernice archeologist James Harty. Exhibits are presented to coincide with significant dates, i.e. "Black History" in February, baseball in summer, and patriotic programs for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veterans Day. The Caboose
The
Captain Henderson Kid's Caboose is a 1939 wooden railroad car that was
probably one of the last of its kind. Child-height display cases
contain originals and replicas of toys popular in the 19th and 20th
centuries. North and South sections of the caboose are divided into
four time periods. Traffic through the rail car is one-way north to
south, and entry through the north door brings one into the 19th
century, with 1801-1850 on the right. Hand made articles including the
balancing man, the sky hook, the thaumatrope or "Wonder Turner", and
the phantascope or "Magic Disc". All are for hands-on use, and how-to
instructions using readily available materials are given to visitors.
On the left, in the 1851-1900 section, a playable toy baby grand piano
shares space with late 19th century dolls.
Traversing the upper portion of the middle section of the Caboose, a Rock Island engine pulls an assortment of rolling stock around a circular track. The center section is mixed vintage and features dolls, HO guage railroad locomotives, and assorted cars. More modern offerings, 1901-1999, are found in the Southern section of the Caboose. Tinker Toys, steel and plastic wheeled vehicles, and game sets are among the exhibits. |
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