On campus of West Texas A&M Univ.; honors pioneers of Texas' colorful past. Recently completed a $6 million renovation, featuring the main exhibit "People of the Plains," based on more than 12,000 years of human habitation of the Texas Panhandle. The building bears a State Antiquities Landmark designation awarded for its unique Art Deco architectural style of the 1930s, including the recently restored Pioneer Hall. Entrance doors adorned with historic brands; fascinating Old West exhibits include chuck wagon, extensive gun collection, prehistoric fossils and wildlife. Other collections show prehistoric Indian cultures, archaeology and Frank Reaugh Collection of Southwestern Art. New is "Let the Good Times Roll," which celebrates the 100th anniversaries of Ford and Harley-Davidson and the 50th anniversary of the Corvette in this newly renovated transportation exhibit. It's really five museums in one with sections dedicated to petroleum, Western heritage, paleontology, and art.
A Research Center is open to researchers and contains historic records and photographs documenting the history of the Texas Panhandle and Southwest region.
A museum store offers a wide variety of gift items, including authentic Indian jewelry, cookbooks, rock specimens, posters, and much more.
Don Harrington Petroleum Wing incorporates latest in exhibit design and museum interpretation. Geology, underground tool and oil field displays give viewer feeling of "being there."