Plain or fancy, I love museums and historical venues. They allow visitors to walk through time, seeing first-hand the tools, clothing and books people used in their every-day lives.

Museums often get a bad rap for being quiet and, let’s face it, boring. I’ve been to some of those. But museum curators have gotten smarter over the past 20 years, and today’s museums are vibrant, interactive places to visit.

One of the best exhibits I’ve ever toured was the King Tutankhamun display back in 1977. The New Orleans Museum of Art sponsored the event, and over 650,000 people visited. Luckily, I was one of them.

We were fortunate to see the actual King Tut mask that appears in so many photos. Dozens of displays showed what life was like over 3,000 years ago in Egypt. There were plates, combs, vases and a variety of items people used, and probably took for granted. Today, they’re priceless pieces of history.

There are fabulous museums here in Fort Bend County, especially here in Rosenberg and Richmond.

The George Ranch Historical Park is offering Texian Market Days this weekend. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to watch real cowboys in action, make sure you head out that way. The historical reenactments are phenomenal.

The Rosenberg Railroad Museum has evolved into an incredible visitor’s stop. You can stand on the corner of the museum and imagine how life must’ve been like back in the days when farming was the main source of income.

I had the pleasure of visiting the newly renovated Fort Bend Museum in downtown Richmond, and those who worked on the remodel did a fabulous job. The museum has an open-air feeling, and the exhibits highlight contributions from Fort Bend’s ancestors from all cultures and races.

You’ll find out there was once a prisoner-of-war camp in downtown Rosenberg during World War II and read about the contributions of Hispanic, Black and Anglo settlers to this area. Life wasn’t easy, and the museum does a thorough job of showcasing their contributions.

The group I was with enjoyed a presentation by Jessica Avery, program coordinator at the museum, on some of the haunted houses in this area. With Halloween right around the corner, the presentation was especially interesting.

I knew about some of the spooky places, like the Fort Bend County Jail, but I had no idea there were so many other supposedly haunted places in town. If you want to know more, be sure and sign up for one of the ghost tours the museum is offering before the end of October.

Other areas in the county are striving to bring the history of all cultures to life. Bates-Allen Park in Kendleton is where former slaves would meet to wash clothes while barbecuing and picnicking together. People are working to enhance the park, and it’s worth a leisurely drive to enjoy the park’s quiet and beauty.

If you want to venture into Houston, most of the museums in H-Town are free on Thursdays. Call in advance to make sure, especially if you want to see a special exhibit.

A visit to the Museum of Natural History is worth the drive if you love nature’s gems as is a walk through the Fine Arts Museum if you love works of art. The Holocaust Museum is a somber visit – prepare yourself before visiting.

But there’s no need to venture further than 30 miles from your front door if you live here in Fort Bend County. Find out about the history here in your own back yard with a visit to one of the many museums our county has to offer.

And sign up for that ghost tour – you’ll never know what frights you might encounter.

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.