Western Heritage Museum | Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame

The Western Heritage Museum Complex is growing and expanding to give more people ways to delve into New Mexico’s rich history. Recently, the Complex has unveiled a new logo, welcomed an historic Eclipse windmill and made arrangements to receive a historic derrick and wooden walking beam pumping jack. Plans are underway to house the Southeastern New Mexico Archaeological Center to research, display and preserve the archaeological record of the area. Below is an overview of a few of the new projects being undertaken. For more information, contact the Complex, 575-392-6730, TheMuseum@nmjc.edu. If you would like to make a contribution towards one of the new exhibits or expansion efforts, please complete and return the Membership/Donation form.

Expansion Plans

Meetings are being held with numerous stakeholders, architects, exhibit designers, boards, and prospective contributors (both monetary, as well as in-kind) to discuss the possibilities and opportunities for a facility that can better serve this and future generations. There will be more explanation and details as we progress through the planning stages. Check the website often for updates!

New Nature Trails

Plans are well underway to welcome Complex visitors with two distinct Nature Trails. One, northeast of the main entrance, will represent the Llano Estacado and its flatness but distinctiveness. The other, to the southeast of the main entrance, will feature the sand hill region of the Queracho Plains off the western edge of the Caprock. Each will have life-sized bronzes, sculpted by Tatum artist, Curtis Fort, of the mammals, reptiles, birds and the few amphibians we have as indigenous species interwoven with the live flora from the area. JoAnn Pritchett, Grounds Supervisor for NMJC, is coordinating the project.

Relocation of the Historic Derrick and Wooden Walking Beam Pumping Jack

This new addition is a collaborative effort by NMJC and ENMU – Roswell, initiated by Dr. Robert Rhodes, VP for Outreach and Training at NMJC. Mr. and Mrs. Brunson Nolan have offered to move and secure the 1930s EMSCO derrick and Lufkin pumping jack. The Complex is most fortunate to have this kind of generous support as it establishes the petroleum industry as a major part of our interpretations and presentations.

New opportunities for WHMC members

Calvin Smith, Executive Director of the Western Heritage Museum Complex, and the staff are actively seeking to involve the Hobbs community in the activities offered at the Complex through the new Partners program. Partners will better inform and educate members about the offerings and volunteer opportunities we have scheduled and are planning. A new docent program is also beginning in the fall of 2008, preparing volunteers to serve as guides, assist with tour groups and serve as hosts at receptions and events. Docents are a vital connection between the community and the museum. By sharing their time and talents, our docents will enrich the visitors understanding and appreciation for the rich history of Lea County and the Llano Estacado. Contact Us to learn more about becoming a docent.

Southeastern New Mexico Archaeological Center

The Western Heritage Museum Complex will house The Southeastern New Mexico Archaeological (Research/Resource) Center and Museum which is being established to pursue, present and preserve the archaeological record of Southeastern New Mexico and to continue the research and collection of resource materials to interpret the past and provide a secure and permanent location for the distribution of the information gathered through exhibits and public programming. It is often difficult to understand and appreciate those things you cannot see. The purpose of the archaeological center is to generate an interest in and support for the archaeology of Southeastern New Mexico (SENM). With 12,000 years of human occupation and over five centuries of historical records to draw from, SENM has finally been recognized as one of the most culturally and environmentally rich localities to be found in the southwestern portion of the United States. The proposed archaeological center is in a unique position to become a model to fulfill the educational role for professional and avocational researchers, area school children and tourists to better understand and appreciate past cultures and the environment they were experiencing. The diversity of the flora and fauna and the evidence of prehistoric and historic sites and materials must be sought and properly recorded to be useful to this and future generations. Because of the fluctuating surface features, it is often a challenge just to find many of the elements that need to be preserved. Much of the land is covered with shifting sands and therefore geological, paleontological, botanical and archaeological specimens and artifacts are either covered or often not in situ (in their original positions/locations). The proposed archaeological center and museum would:

• Conduct the legal collecting of three dimensional objects and materials especially when they are in danger of being destroyed
• Assemble records and information and previously collected artifacts where there is at least some provenience
• Engage in emergency and /or discovery excavations when those needs and opportunities arise
• Participate in cooperative surveys with the state, federal and professional representative in the course of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) endeavors; thus creating a resource for use by anyone carrying out responsible research in the region utilizing the voluminous amount of information available from the State Archaeologist’s office so concentrations of cultural resources can be better predicted
• Develop interpretive programs and exhibits for regional school systems, students in higher education, avocational organizations and tourists

It is rare to have the opportunity to become a model for pursuing, procuring, preparing, preserving, presenting and promoting the archaeological record of a particular region. The Archaeological Center and Museum can become an example of a regional repository with the staff and resources available to not only respond quickly and work with professionals in the field but also to educate the public as to the importance of protecting our cultural heritages.