600 on display 1,200+ in collection

1932

Canyon, Texas 

• 1921  Panhandle-Plains Historical Society created
• 1932 construction of Pioneer Hall began
• on the campus of what is now West Texas A&M University
  – originally 12,500 square-foot 
  – 75 West Texas cattle brands surrounded the entrance
• 1973, West Texas State University donated its former library to the museum
• 1986 museum expanded 75,000 square-foot to connect the existing museum and the former WTSU library
• largest history museum in Texas
• 285,000 square feet
• over two million artifacts

•  Winchester Model 1873 owned by legendary Comanche leader Quanah Parker
• pieces going back as far as the Spanish explorers of the 15th century