Nancy Bertholf, director of the Chandler Museum and Visitor Center, walks among the graves Wednesday at Chandler Memorial Cemetery. The cemetery will be the site of a Memorial Day remembrance service Monday beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a reception at the museum on Highway 31 West in Chandler. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph

CHANDLER – Memorial Day observances are carried out every year, but Chandler’s new Museum and Visitor Center honors the contributions of its service members every day, not just on the holiday.

An entire section of the museum, 721 Texas Highway 31 W., is devoted to people who stepped up to serve, at home and abroad, in war and peace.

This expansive collection of military artifacts, photos and documented first-hand accounts displayed in the Military/Yarborough Room are to be featured Monday as part of the town’s annual observance of Memorial Day.

“It’s a very interesting exhibit,” said Nancy Bertholf, a retired history teacher enjoying a second career as the museum’s director. “I think it’s important for people to come and see it.”

PAYING RESPECTS

People wishing to honor military service members are encouraged to attend a special, two-fold Memorial Day observation, which starts at 9 a.m. Monday at the historic Chandler Memorial Cemetery on Old Tyler Road.

The morning service honors more than 100 veterans that are buried at the cemetery, including the town’s namesake, Civil War veteran Alfonso Chandler, who donated land for its development.

Decorated U.S. Navy man Rudolph Sutton, 1926 to 2003, is also buried there, his grave marked with a special plaque praising his bravery against the enemy.

Immediately after the service, the program moves to the museum for refreshments and tours of the military exhibit, which includes items linked to Chandler and elsewhere.

The Chandler Cemetery Association and Chandler Historical Society are the host entities.

Mementos of some of Chandler’s fallen heroes are just a sample of the items on display at the museum, which opened in 2014 and includes artifacts from local schools, businesses and families.

History buff Jack Anthamatten of Chandler spent several days last week helping organize the new military display, which features part of his extensive personal collection of pins and memorabilia.

Assembled items include photos, literature and rarely found military awards earned during long-ago battles in far-away lands.

“I’ve been collecting about 20 years or so,” he said. “There are a lot of hard to find items in this collection. It started off as a temporary display, but I guess it’s here as long as there is display space.”

CHANDLER’S NATIVE SON

In many ways, the museum, itself, is an important piece of the town’s history.

The structure is recognized as the birthplace of late Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough, once sited near the cemetery on Old Tyler Road about one block south of Texas Highway 31.

The 1800-era structure was originally built with a staggered design with two rooms on one side of a wide hallway and four rooms on the west, but was later enlarged and remodeled.

The Yarborough family later sold it to the city, which partnered with the Chandler Historical Society and Economic Development Corporation to help create a new chapter for the old residence, said Ms. Bertholf.

Moving day came in July 2012, when the aging structure was hauled across town and positioned in the sprawling McCain Park.

A painstaking restoration followed, to recreate a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of a rapidly changing city landscape filled with new development.

Today, the house-turned-museum serves as a welcome beacon for visitors entering the city, located in neighboring Henderson County.

“It takes 130 years to make a community,” Ms. Bertholf said. “We still have enough of the original families to preserve the memories.”

Inside, there are scores of donated artifacts that capture the town’s early days, when Miss Fannie Jones operated the local switchboard and Citizens Guaranty State Bank was the go-to spot for a personal loan.

There are myriad items from the Yarborough family and many other locals, including Carney Waller’s paintings from Chandler’s Centennial Celebration.

Scattered throughout are Depression-era items, antique typewriters, vintage clothing, working Victrola, school memorabilia and a small cafe from which to soak it all in.

The museum offers teas and tours for small groups throughout the year.

A special learning camp for children, ages 6 to 12, is also planned for June 14 to highlight simpler days in the small East Texas town, but space is limited.

For availability, hours and additional information, call 903-521-5962 or 903-849-2243.

“People are usually wowed when they come in here,” Ms. Bertholf said. “They cannot believe a small town can generate this type of collection. This museum tells the history of Chandler.”

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