Jack County Museum Association receives building donation

The Jack County Museum Association received a donation from Nelson and Sandy Oliver of a historic building this summer, along with a cash donation for building renovations.

The building is located at 200 W. Belknap in Jacksboro, and will be known as the Judy Rayborn Annex. Judy Rayborn was Sandy Oliver’s mother and was a resident of Jacksboro for many years until her death in April 2020.

The Olivers chose to remember Judy and honor her passion and talent by ensuring generations to come would benefit from her love of history through this gift to the museum. Judy served as interpreter and historian at Fort Richardson State Park for 14 years and was instrumental in developing the education programs for children that were a highlight of Fort Richardson.

“The Judy Rayborn Annex will be a wonderful addition to the museum and will provide a beautiful facility to better display the collections and increase the museum’s ability to provide historic education and programming to all who are interested in history. The Jack County Museum is currently closed for renovation and repairs and is expected to reopen later this fall,” a press release from the association stated. “We are so proud and excited to have this treasure to further enable us to carry out of mission of preserving the history of Jack County. Judy Rayborn left an indelible legacy on so many in Jack County and beyond, and we are so honored to be entrusted to honor and carry forward Judy’s legacy with this incredible gift by Sandy and Nelson.”

The association has also received funding for ongoing support from Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the federal CARES Act.