"This (museum) was one of the highlights of our three days along the Colorado."
-George G. Austin, Texas via TripAdvisor
Welcome to The Falls on the Colorado Museum, nestled in the charming community of Marble Falls. Visitors often describe our museum as a hidden gem, a place that would make town founder Adam Rankin Johnson proud.  Housed in a historic university building, which Johnson helped establish in 1891, our museum offers a glimpse into the rich history of the area.

Spanning nearly 6,000 square feet, our museum proudly showcases artifacts from the prehistoric era to modern-day events. Step into the past with our extensive collection of pictures depicting life in the early 1900s. Experience a simpler time with our kitchen display, showing life without electricity. 

Our exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including farm and ranch life, the history of Marble Falls schools, geology, lakes, rivers and dams. Don't miss our collection of Native American artifacts or our beloved Rockie, a 700-year-old bison.

Discover the history and beauty of Marble Falls and the surrounding communities at The Falls on the Colorado Museum. 

Happenings & Highlights

Night at the Museum

We're excited to be part of a special community-wide evening organized by the Marble Falls Visitor Center. Visitors are invited to stop by the museum to explore exhibits highlighting the history of our area while enjoying tastings from Round Mountain Cider Mill. As part of the larger Marble Falls event, guests can also visit other participating museums and galleries for additional wine and cider pairings. Go to our events page or click the links below to learn more and buy tickets.

Restoration Update: Final Upstairs Windows Being Installed & Donation to Beautify Museum Grounds

Work continues on the Old Granite School restoration, with the final 16 upstairs windows now being installed. The photo to the right shows one window completely finished. This major milestone brings us one step closer to fully restoring the building’s historic appearance and opening the second floor for expanded exhibits and programs.
Thank You to Backbone Valley Nursery!
We extend our sincere thanks to Backbone Valley Nursery and Ben Robertson for generously donating three 5-gallon Crossvine plants to enhance our arbor. This gift not only beautifies our grounds but also carries special meaning—Ben attended kindergarten in this very building, and both he and his father went to school here. We are grateful for this contribution and continued connection to the Old Granite School’s legacy.

Beautifying the Museum Grounds

A beautiful new addition is taking shape near the museum's entrance. Thanks to the hard work of James Reimer and Tom Oostermeyer, a rustic cedar arbor—framed by Rod Oberhaus—has been completed using donated vintage wood and metal panels. The finishing touch is still to come, as vines will soon be planted to create a natural canopy while providing valuable food sources for bees, birds, and butterflies. This feature enhances the landscape and reflects the museum’s commitment to supporting the local environment.

Congratulations to Dr. Tom Hester on Statewide Archeology Award

We’re excited to share some wonderful news about our emeritus board member, Dr. Tom Hester. Dr. Hester has been named the 2025 recipient of the Curtis D. Tunnell Lifetime Achievement in Archeology Award from the Texas Historical Commission, recognizing more than 50 years of outstanding work in archeological research, preservation, and education in Texas. Throughout his career—including many years at The University of Texas at Austin—Dr. Hester has helped shape the field of Texas archeology and mentored generations of researchers. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor!

Annual Membership Drive — Join or Renew Today

As we begin our 26th year serving the Marble Falls community, now is the perfect time to become a member of the museum! 

Your membership helps make big things happen—like opening our second floor for new exhibits and a hands-on history space for kids—while supporting programs, preservation efforts, and community partnerships.

Memberships start at just $30 for individuals and $50 for families or organizations, and members enjoy perks like a Christmas Home Tour ticket, priority seating at programs, and use of our meeting rooms.
​
Join us as we dig deeper into our past and build an even stronger future for local history. 

Restoration Update: New Wet Bar Installed Upstairs

Progress continues on the restoration of the Old Granite School, and we’re excited to share our latest milestone—the installation of a beautiful new wet bar on the second floor. This addition will serve as a functional and welcoming feature for museum programs and special events.
This project was made possible thanks to the generosity and craftsmanship of several community partners:
  • Rod Oberhaus, who provided carpentry work and custom design using donated antique wood
  • James Forest of Complete Care Plumbing donated materials and labor to reconnect the water line
  • John Packer of Alexis Granite, who donated and installed a stunning Sunset Red granite countertop
We are so grateful to these supporters for helping us enhance the usability of our growing second-floor space. Stay tuned for more restoration updates!

2027 Calendar Photo Contest Now Open!

This year’s theme, “Agri-Life in the Hill Country,” invites photographers to capture scenes of ranching or farming in the Hill Country including backyard gardens, old farm
implements, livestock, or other images of rural life. The submission deadline is May 15th. 
Picture
Photo by Robyn Richter