COOPER LAKE opened to the public in 1996 and encompasses 19,000 acres at conservation level. The lake itself covers over 3,000 acres and is stocked with largemouth bass, white bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie and flathead catfish. New facilities being developed include a museum, amphitheater and working farm. Cooper Lake State Park Website TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – COMMERCE offers more than 100 major fields of study through 26 academic departments. Other features: 6-story Gee Library with more than 1.2 million volumes; Performing Arts Center with two theaters and a revolving stage; State of the art Science Building with a Planetarium; The Jerry D. Morris Rec Center with a rock wall, racquetball courts, weight room facilities and saunas. Texas A&M University Website COMMERCE PUBLIC LIBRARY, built in 1918 as the Post Office, is now home to many historical archives including two volumes of news columns by pioneer journalist C.W. Goff. The library was awarded a Texas Historical marker in 1991. Also located on the grounds is a marker for the Jernigin’s Store, the first business in Commerce, and one for the Bruce B. Williams American Legion Post which was the very first post organized in Texas. Located just off the downtown square on Park Street, library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (903) 886-6858                                  Commerce Public Library Website MAX, the second largest bois d’arc tree in Texas, has the unique distinction (bestowed by the National Forests Famous and Historic Trees) as the only one honored by an annual celebration, The Bois d’Arc Bash, during the weekend closest to September 25, the day Commerce was incorporated as a city. NORTHEAST TEXAS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, opened to the public in 2002 and provides a creative and enriching learning experience for children. Tuesday – Saturday: 9:30 – 4:30 Summer Hours: 10:00 – 5:00 Closed Monday and Sunday Northeast Texas Children’s Museum Website