Tyler Rose Museum & Gift Shop

The Texas Rose Festival, active since 1933, is organized by the rose growers, and celebrates the role of the rose-growing industry in the local economy. Many of the festival's events center on the Rose Queen and her court, who wear lavish gowns and costumes that are often in keeping with the theme of the year's festival. Events include Queen coronation, gendered luncheons, formal balls, vespers, parade, Queen's Tea. I attended the Queen's Tea, where the royal court enters in procession, and remains in full display for visitations at the Rose Garden.

This is a high society event, everyone was formally dressed, I was clearly out of place in my hiking attire. The whole pageant is an internal affair between wealthy white rose growers. The queen is chosen by the President of the Texas Rose Festival Association from one of the grower families, often with the queen having played various roles in the court since childhood. The court includes Duchess of the Rose Growers (members of rose-growing families), Out-of-town Duchesses and Escorts (non-growers invited because of family relationships), Ladies in Waiting (from families involved in in festival), and Train bearers and queen attendants (children of rose festival families).

The whole event seemed very exclusive and privileged. All members of the court were wealthy white rose growers, and the families simply recycle the titles between them. The Rose Museum preserves the history of Tyler’s Rose Growing Industry and the Texas Rose Festival, with photos, memorabilia and gowns of past Rose Queens, courts, and festival officials. I couldn't find any person of color in all the festival's years, and hardly any even in the attendees of the Queen's Tea today. Although the town is diverse, as evident by the festival's workers and security. This lack of diversity is noticeable, I felt transported in time to the segregated Old South.

In addition to the wealth display of the rose growers, the festival included an arts and crafts show, with various rose-related art made in different media. A giant Texas Rose Festival Rose Display was front and center for picture taking. I left perplexed at this elite festival, where clearly little to no effort is made to foster diversity or include the whole community.

Must visit places if you are visiting Tyler. I would have not known about the history of the rose garden if I didn't go here. Well maintained with historical videos and all the queens who won the rose competition. This year (2022) the parade is scheduled in September 2022. Dont miss it.

It smelled like roses when we walked in.:) Really enjoyed learning the history of this industry in Smith county. I didn't know 1/3 of the roses in the US are grown here in the county. Also, the rose bowl, the rose growing process, and viewing all the gowns of the rose queens. We went in July, so the garden was a little sad and very hot, but still beautiful. My husband humored me, he didn't enjoy it as much.

This flower museum is beautiful! I visited with some family last year during their off season, but even with most of the roses not in full bloom it was a wonderful place. There is a huge diversity of flowers in all colors, shapes, and sizes! Very peaceful atmosphere, and the gardens were much larger than expected so we were able to explore for hours.

Wonderful experience at the annual gem show. Found lots of interesting displays and learned alot. If one is interested in gems and minerals I'd recommend going! Fun for all ages

Trying to find out if the museum is open Thanksgiving weekend. The site says holiday hours but when you select that option it gives no information. How disappointing. A major location to visit and no way to get information. The phone has no message. Very poor communication

Exceptionally well organized and displays of the history of both the rose industry and the Rose Festival to Tyler & Smith County and it's economic impact

The collection is well maintained. The short ambulatory exercise is geared towards parade affection and but a little short on tips and techniques for the avid gardener.

Since the park is purely an exhibit, the least the Museum could've done (for those out-of-town visitors) is to excite them towards rose gardening.

The museum is $3.50 entrance fee. It’s a small walk thru. The dresses on display are gorgeous. Everything you ever wanted to know about the rose parade and coronation.

We’ve been to the museum & the gift shop several times and have even ordered from the gift shop by phone they never disappoint.

We drove 3 hours to see the Rose Garden and the Rose Museum. The Rose Garden was pretty but we couldn't get into the Museum. The website said they opened at 10: 00 and the door said 9: 00. We waited for awhile and they never opened. There were more people waiting as well. Was disappointed.

Could I give you some pictures I took of the flowers and plants in that park when I went to visit it?