Meet the Staff

  • Ray & Judy Richey

    President and Curators

    Ray is a native of Wichita Falls and did not think must about history until he and his wife, Judy, took a trip to Washington D.C. in 1980s. It was then their love for America, all that it was, is, and can be, became their passion. They begin collecting Civil War and Victorian Era artifacts. Ray's collection contains both Confederate and U.S. Military artifacts and Judy's collection of women's and children's dresses span the years of 1860 thru the turn of the century. The military collection is one of the largest private collections in the world and the dress collection is exquisite. After many years, they wanted to share their collections with the public in a first class museum. They also wanted everyone who visited to know of the personal sacrifice of a generation who lived during a most turbulent time of our nation's history. It is the desire for every visitor to pause and appreciate the cost of freedom and leave with a renewed sense of patriotism. Ray is the President of the Board for the non-profit Texas Civil War Museum. Judy is the curator for the dress collection and Ray serves as curator and exhibit designer for the military collection and the Texas Confederate Museum collection.  

  • MARCUS RICHEY

    Director

    Marcus is the director of the museum and he has been working here from the start. You might catch him behind the desk or helping out with a field trip. Marcus is also a Youth pastor and CrossFit coach. He claims “this is one of the best ‘put together’ museums ever seen.” Maybe because he helps the curator put it together. Marcus is a Weatherford native and grew up learning Civil War history. Marcus graduated from Crown Southwest in 2010 with a Bachelors in Youth Ministries. He and his wife Cayla have four children: Brinley, Reagan, Emersyn, and Preston.

  • David Bedford

    Education DIRECTOR

    David Bedford was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, After graduating from Richland High School he attended North Texas State University in Denton, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with certifications in history, government, and economics. After teaching American and Texas history as well as coaching for 24 years, he returned to the University of North Texas to earn a Master is Education degree with Mid-Management certification. He served as a high school assistant principal for 7 years, a high school principal for 4 years, and an educational consultant for 5 years. After retiring from public education, he served as the education director at a local museum before joining the Texas Civil War museum in 2019. He currently serves on the Economic Development Committee with the city of River Oaks, is a member of Bethesda Community Church in Haltom City, and is married and has two daughters.