National Ranching Heritage Center

National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas
Sculpture of cattle outside entrance to 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]

See also

References

  1. "Ranching Heritage Center is unique". The Galveston Daily News. Galveston, Texas. September 9, 1983. p. 6. Retrieved January 3, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  2. Montie Ritchie
  3. Texas Tech University press release, June 14, 2013
  4. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ranchhc/HistoricalPark.htm
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Coordinates: 33°35′26.68″N 101°53′3.41″W / 33.5907444°N 101.8842806°W / 33.5907444; -101.8842806

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