National Ranching Heritage Center
The National Ranching Heritage Center, a museum of ranching history, is located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The NRHC features almost fifty authentic ranch buildings dating from the late 18th to the mid-20th century. These structures include a railroad depot, homesteads, barn, schoolhouse, windmills and other historic structures. One views the exhibits through a self-guided walking tour. It is free to the public.
History
The center was established in 1969 by the Ranching Heritage Association.[1] Its first director was the historian and archaeologist William Curry Holden. It was begun From 1977-1980, Jim Humphreys, who managed the Pitchfork Ranch in Dickens and King counties from 1965–1986, was the board chairman of the center. Until 1999, the NRHC was a part of the Museum of Texas Tech University, to which is adjacently located.
The NRHC has received donations from Montie Ritchie, the manager of the JA Ranch southeast of Amarillo from 1935 until his retirement in 1993.[2]
In 2013, David M. "Matt" Brockman was named NRHC executive director. Formerly, he has been the administrative manager of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, commonly known as the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.[3]
The home of the wealthy African-American rancher, Daniel Webster Wallace (1860–1939), known as "80 John" Wallace, was built ca. 1900 in Loraine in Mitchell County. It is now open at the NRHC.[4]
Gallery
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The Barton House, an example of Queen Anne Style architecture, was relocated to the Heritage Center from Hale County. It is named for Joseph J. Barton.
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U Lazy S Carriage House, owned by John B. Slaughter, was moved from Post to the NRHC.
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Hedwig's Hill Dogtrot House (1855) is essentially two log cabins under a common roof relocated from Mason County
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Restored Texan pioneer house
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The 6666 barn stood near the home of rancher Samuel Burk Burnett in Guthrie until it was removed to the NRHC.
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The Jowell House (1872-1873) from Palo Pinto County is a fortress style residence, with an outside ladder to the second floor.
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Because children frequently died young in the American West, the heritage center relocated this Jowell Cemetery (1876-1889) from Palo Pinto County.
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Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad at the Ropes Depot
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This half-dugout (1888) in Dickens County was removed from the Matador Ranch to the NRHC.
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Waggoner Ranch commissary (1870s), relocated to the NRHC from Wichita County
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Box and strip house (1903, 1907), with dual entrances but uninsulated, was relocated to the NRHC from Martin County.
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Pioneer mail station (1875) relocated from Knox County
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Starmill windmill at NRHC
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A cart for transporting water from a well powered by a windmill
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The Harrell House, named for sisters Fay and Myrtle Harrell of Scurry County, was built in phases between 1885 and 1917.
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Pioneer kitchen in Harrell House
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Dining room at Harrell House
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Restored Pitchfork Ranch cookhouse from Dickens County at NRHC
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A ranch office building at the Heritage Center
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Inside of ranch office
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The Los Corralitos (meaning "Little Corrals") Building was relocated to the Heritage Center from Zapata County in South Texas
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Replica of Tooter Cannon Saddle Shop at Heritage Center
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Quanah Parker exhibit
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Ranching Center hours
See also
References
- ↑ "Ranching Heritage Center is unique". The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas). September 9, 1983. p. 6. Retrieved January 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Montie Ritchie
- ↑ Texas Tech University press release, June 14, 2013
- ↑ http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ranchhc/HistoricalPark.htm
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External links
- The National Ranching Heritage Center official site
- Information on the National Ranching Association
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Coordinates: 33°35′26.68″N 101°53′3.41″W / 33.5907444°N 101.8842806°W