Night at the Museum 2025 put a new spin on ‘living history’ locally Saturday evening.
Unlike the other legendary musicians in Gladewater Museum’s hall of fame, world-class fiddler David Varnado is still alive and kicking and making music. As such, he began the night of Jan. 18 with his induction into the museum’s musician showcase then went on to a live performance down the road at The Stockyards Steakhouse.
“This is an honor being inducted here in the Gladewater, Texas, museum,” he told an audience of 50-plus gathered in the museum’s Rodeo Annex Saturday evening. Varnado’s grateful his fiddle and a signature jacket will be included alongside memorabilia of Elvis and other music legends. “I’m just a fiddle player from Port Arthur, Texas, who started learning from his dad when he was 5 years-old.
“I’m looking forward to a great night here. You’re gonna hear some good traditional country music from Longview and Gladewater’s finest. Thank y’all.”
Gladewater Mayor Brandy Flanagan issued a proclamation declaring Jan. 18 to be David Varnado Day in the city.
“Tonight we honor David Varnado as a Living Legend as the most honored and awarded fiddle player in the USA,” she read.
Gladewater Chamber of Commerce’s Lois Reed kicked off the 2025 induction ceremony, emphasizing the rare opportunity to add a still-performing musician to the museum’s exhibits.
“We are so excited to see everyone here tonight,” Reed said. “It has been a long time since we have had a living legend, and we have one tonight.
To Varnado, “We do want to present you with a ‘Living Legend’ award from Gladewater Museum — specially-created, one-of-a-kind, just for you.”
Attendees also celebrated the living history that is the museum itself — established Nov. 5, 2005, this year marks the facility’s 20th anniversary.
Reed put Museum Director Elaine Roddy the spotlight Saturday.
“We are so excited that she continues to support the museum, the City of Gladewater,” Reed said. “She also is the one who has held this all together for 20 years. Elaine, hats off to you.”
Wearing the familiar green apron of Gladewater Museum volunteers, “Couldn’t do it with you,” Roddy told the crowd. “Wouldn’t have been here 20 years without you.
“We have lots of stories to tell, and we’ll be glad to share them with you.”
Other Saturday night standouts at the event include aerial photographer Jim Quinn, Caddo descendant Pat Wray Applewhite, veteran David Applewhite, potter Bill Taylor, local sports aficionado Danny Sorrells, Piney Woods Timberhogs General Manager Brian Miller, history buff Morris Shelton and local comic writer Enrique Ramirez as well as Gladewater ISD Superintendent Rae Ann Patty.
Two decades have flown by, Roddy said.
“I wasn’t in on the very beginning, she added, crediting Fredelene Clark, former Gladewater Mayor Harold Wells and others for their efforts to launch the museum.
Early organizer and volunteer Shirley Cates attended Saturday’s celebration, as well.
“These gals have really done a good job,” she said. Recalling Clark, “She was bound and determined we were going to have a museum and preserve a lot of stuff.”
The community’s generosity ensures that’s ongoing, Roddy said.
“People bring in things every week. There’s so much history I can’t find room.”