Background
The A.W. Perry Homestead Museum offers a glimpse of life as it was in north central Texas at the turn of the 20th Century. A.W. and Sarah (Huffman) Perry were pioneer homesteaders of Peters Colony who came to Carrollton in the year 1844 from Carrollton, Illinois. They claimed 640 acres and built a house on this farm in 1857. In 1909, their son Dewitt Perry and his wife Francis (Grimes) tore down the first house and used some of the lumber to build the present day house. This structure is now the Museum, restored in 1976 for the bicentennial. You can still find the foundation stones of the first Perry farmhouse in the backyard of the Museum. Designated a historic landmark in 1977 by the Texas Historical Commission.

Gravley Park contains 13 acres adjacent to the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum. The park was dedicated to the city by Mrs. Pearl Perry Gravley. The facility includes walking paths, park benches, drinking fountain, and parking. Working with the Perry Society, a 501(c) 3 organization, the city has completed the installation of a 20’ gazebo in honor of Milburn Gravley, one of Carrollton’s Mayors. The gazebo design complements the A.W. Perry House as it reflects the Victorian period. 

The Perry Homestead has its own Vintage Base Ball Team! The Carrollton Elites play other vintage teams from surrounding cities like Farmers Branch, Plano, Irving, Lewisville, and others. They follow 1860s rules and provide hands-on living history demonstrations but they’re also competitive teams. Our uniforms are reproductions from the original 1910s Carrollton team of the same name. At that time, Carrollton’s Elite Café (pronounced E-Light) sponsored the team, hence the name! Follow us on the Carrollton Elites Base Ball Club Facebook page.  

Photography

Professional photographers are welcome to use the grounds of the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum and Pearl Perry Park as a backdrop for their business. The Perry Homestead often schedules tours, programs and site rentals outside of its regular posted hours. Professional photographers should check the Perry Homestead’s schedule before booking their photo shoots to avoid potential conflicts. Photography Guidelines.  

Birthday Parties

Plan your child's next party at our house! The A.W. Perry Homestead Museum offers elegant porches for hosting tea parties and a big barn for playing games that once delighted pioneer children.

Party themes include: Victorian Tea Party, Toys and Games Party, and Hoe Down Party. A $125 party fee includes table decorations, craft supplies, plates, utensils, cold lemonade and up to 15 goody bags. Additional children $5 each. You provide the cake and the guests!

Children will enjoy 90 minutes of activities led by Museum staff followed by 30 minutes for eating cake and opening presents. Call today to schedule a Saturday or Sunday party. Parties are appropriate for children ages 6-10. Birthday party policies and contract 

Calling All Volunteers!

The Museum has volunteer opportunities available all year. We are always in need of volunteer tour guides/docents for our school and group tours, and special events volunteers to help with our Old Fashioned Christmas, Silent Film Series, Mother's Day Concert, and birthday parties. Research and other opportunities are also available. Call 972-466-9804 for more information, or email cody.scallions@cityofcarrollton.com for more information.