Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
4/25/2008 1:15:42 PM - Hobbs, NM.The Western Heritage Museum is proud to announce that the Second Annual New Mexico Junior College and Hobbs High School Photography Show is up and running from April 12 - May 3, 2008. The walls of the North Gallery of the Museum are adorned with a variety of photographs taken by NMJC students and faculty and Hobbs High School students.
A total of sixty-four photographs in the categories of Landscape, Nature, People, Macro, Architecture/Transportation, and Computer Manipulated are hanging for viewers' appraisal. These photos await the May 3 awards program to be held at 7 p.m., followed by an auction of the first, second and third place winners. Additionally, all who stop by to see the exhibit can vote for their favorite, the winner of which will be named the People's Choice. Another category, Best of Show, will hang in the Museum for the upcoming year in recognition of the artist.
The Museum would like to recognize those who have supported and put effort into this imaginative event. Organizers include Brian Henning, David Jett, and Calvin Smith. Sponsors include Wells Fargo Bank, Hobbs Municipal Schools, Lea County State Bank, Kim's Kakes, Forest Tire, 1st National Bank, Sadler and Son, and Permian Ford.
For more information, please contact Nancy Powell at 575.492.2679 or npowell@nmjc.edu
Second Annual NMJC / Western Heritage Museum Photography Show
3/13/2008 - Hobbs, NM. The Western Heritage Museum Complex invites students, faculty and staff of NMJC and the Hobbs High School to participate in their 2nd Annual Photography Show. To participate in this show, you must be a student of NMJC or Hobbs High School, or you must be part of the staff or faculty at either school. School identification may be requested by photo show staff on receipt of an entered image.
NMJC Museum to Host Biblical Archeologist
11/8/2007 - Hobbs, NM. The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame will host Dr. Roy Blizzard, internationally recognized author and biblical archeologist, on Wednesday, November 14, at 7 pm. Admission is free.
NMJC Museum to Host Tres Vidas
10/5/2007 - Hobbs, NM. On Friday, October 26, at 8 pm, the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame will host Core Ensemble: Tahirah Whittington, cello; Hugh Hinton, piano; and Michael Parola, percussion, along with featured actress Georgina Corbo, who will be performing chamber music theatre work from Tres Vidas.
Cowboy Hall of Fame to Host Roping & Barrel Racing Event
10/3/2007 - Hobbs, NM. The Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame will host its 53rd Annual Lea County Championship Roping and Barrel Racing event, open to Lea County residents only, on Sunday, October 21, in Eunice, NM.
About Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame
A prehistoric sea. Rich grasslands. Millions of buffalo. Ancient Indian tribes. The Great American Desert. Ranchers and homesteaders. World champion cowboys. The discovery of oil!
From the ancient, prehistoric sea that once covered the Permian Basin to the rugged individuals who tamed the Llano Estacado, or “staked plains,” the unique and colorful spirit of the timeless land of southern New Mexico can be explored fully at the Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame in Hobbs.
The museum's exhibits strikingly depict the vast region's fascinating background. As the largest non-mountainous land formation in North America, the Llano Estacado covers an area larger than the combined states of Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Throughout the centuries, this expansive area was comprised of rich grasslands that supported life for millions of buffalo, as well as a number of Native American peoples.
Long known as “The Great American Desert, ” the Llano Estacado was avoided by Europeans for centuries. It wasn't until the 1880s that bison hunters discovered the La Pista de Vida Agua, or Trail of Living Waters, which ran across northern Lea County. From that point on, the area underwent extensive exploration by the legendary Buffalo Soldiers and others.
Such efforts of early explorers convinced some that there was enough water to sustain livestock—if one was lucky enough to gain control of the few springs and lakes in the region. However, with the advent of the windmill, which pumped life-giving water from far below the surface, life on the Llano Estacado was changed forever. Now, enterprising homesteaders, cowboys, and ranchers were able to move onto the seemingly inhospitable rangelands to begin staking a future for themselves and their families.
As these hearty pioneers slowly began to tame the region, one last secret was discovered deep within the bosom of the Llano Estacado: oil! And with this discovery, the face of the Llano Estacado was to be transformed yet again. . .
Come discover for yourself the compelling history, the rugged men and women, and the rich traditions beautifully showcased in the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame in Hobbs!
Background: At approximately 29,000 square feet, the Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame was completed late fall 2005 and opened January 14, 2006. In addition to offering world-class exhibits throughout the year that exemplify the diversity, beauty, and rich cultural traditions that have shaped the American Southwest, the Museum also serves as home to the renowned Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame, which boasts more world champion cowboys than any other region in the world!
The Museum is located on the Lovington Highway (State Highway 18) between New Mexico Junior College and Lea Regional Hospital (and just past Zia Park Racetrack & Casino!). Come check out all the exciting new happenings around Hobbs!
Regular hours of operation: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday.
Admission:
Adults - $3
Seniors (65+) - $2
Youth (6-18) - $2
Children 5 and under - Free
School groups from Lea County will be admitted free of charge.
School groups from outside the County will pay $1 admission fee.
Discounts will be offered to military, American Automotive Association (AAA), and groups of 10 or more.
Contact
For additional information contact:
Calvin Smith – Exec. Dir. - Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame
New Mexico Junior College
1 Thunderbird Circle
Hobbs, NM 88240
575.492.2676
CSmith@nmjc.edu