 When Hattie Anderson moved to Canyon, Texas, in 1920 to teach history at West Texas State Normal College, she was captivated by what she found. It was a historian's dream - a bustling city on the grow, eager young college students preparing to be teachers and a significant number of the area's original settlers still actively involved in ranching, farming, and business.
Miss Anderson knew she had to act quickly. Time was already beginning to claim many of the pioneers whose stories she wished to record. Immediately she began formulating a plan and recruiting interested volunteers. In early 1921, Miss Anderson, L.F. Sheffy (the head of the college's history department), seven other faculty members and about thirty students organized the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society. Their goal was to collect and preserve the history, both human and natural, of the region. They also began soliciting support for their efforts in the form of society memberships.
Construction of Pioneer Hall began in 1932. Finished in Texas limestone, the original structure features fine decorative stonework and carvings depicting western themes and Panhandle fauna in its facade. More than 100 famous West Texas cattle brands surround the entrance. This building bears a State Antiquities Landmark designation for its unique Art Deco architectural style.
In addition to monetary contributions, community members donated items to the museum’s collection. In 1941, Walter Irvin gave a Ford Model A, number 28 off the assembly line, in honor of his daughter Miss Peggy Irvins. Retta Carter Hubbard contributed Charles Goodnight’s silver-mounted saddle in 1958. She received it as a gift from Goodnight after her marriage to his foster son, Cleo, in 1926. The saddle probably was made during the 1890s. Topay Parker, widow of Quanah Parker, donated his headdress and staff to the museum for preservation and display in 1960.
In 1936 it was already necessary to add on to the building, so a basement was constructed, and it opened in 1936. Funds for the new addition were provided by Texas Historical Commission Centennial funds.
With the help of state monies and contributions, PPHM doubled in size, adding a four-story addition in 1967. The area now houses the Research Center, Art Galleries, Pioneer Town and Special Exhibit Area.
West Texas State University donated the old library on land adjacent to the museum in 1973, which provided much-needed storage, support space and three galleries.
With a generous $6 million grant from the Don and Sybil B. Harrington Foundation in 1986, a 75,000 square foot structure was constructed to connect the existing museum and the former WTSU library, creating the largest history museum in Texas.
When the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) opened its doors in 1933, it was a 12,500 square foot building. Since that time the museum has become the largest history museum in Texas with more than 285,000 square feet.
On the campus of what is now West Texas A&M University, the Museum has more than two million artifacts, ranging from the Comanche Chief Quanah Parker's eagle feather headdress to collections of historic New Mexico and Texas art.
The role of the Society remains the same today as it was in 1921. As Miss Anderson so eloquently expressed her dream, "It is the sacred duty of ours to collect the record of life here and hand this on to the children of the future ... and we believe in the future our people will point with pride to their museum and the historical society."
MISSION STATEMENT
To collect, preserve, conserve, exhibit and interpret the historical, ethnological, cultural, and scientific heritage of the Panhandle-Plains region of Texas and related areas of the Southwest; to operate and maintain the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Texas A&M University Board of Regents; to enlist interest and support in achieving the mission; and to undertake other related activities |
