157 Private Road 6000 Woodville, TX 75979
Founded by artist Clyde Gray, Heritage Village is a destination dedicated to preserving and showcasing pioneer life in Tyler County from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Established to honor the region’s rich cultural heritage, the Village features more than 30 reconstructed buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, church, and homesteads that bring the past to life. Visitors can walk through the structures, explore artifacts, and experience the traditions that shaped East Texas.Â
Heritage Village began with the vision of artist Clyde Edward Gray (1907 – 1989), whose passion for preserving East Texas history transformed a simple farmstead into today’s beloved living history destination. After a career as a Navy illustrator and cartoonist, Gray settled in Tyler County with his wife, Bill, and began painting scenes of rural life that were quickly disappearing. To showcase his art, he surrounded his studio with relics and historic structures, creating what he called Heritage Gardens–a true “garden of history.”Â
The Heritage Society purchased Heritage Gardens from Clyde Gray in the 1980s and renamed it Heritage Village. The society continues to operate Heritage Village with the support of their generous members and volunteers.Â