Grand Opening Event - April 13th, 2013
The Charles Goodnight Historical Center is now open for tours after seven years of work by the Armstrong County Museum of Claude and its many partners. Saturday, April 13, was the opening day.
A ribbon cutting ceremony began the festivities at 10 a.m. J. Evetts Haley, Jr. cut the ribbon. The Visitor and Education Center is named after his father, J. Evetts Haley, Sr. who wrote the well-known biography of Charles Goodnight from interviews and time spent with him during 1925-1929. The biography, Charles Goodnight: Cowman and Plainsman was published in 1936. |
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Over 400 visitors, some from as far away as Florida, flowed through the historical exhibits in the new J. Evetts Haley Visitor and Education Center. |
Visitors then toured the 1887 restored home and grounds of Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, early pioneer ranchers who helped settle Armstrong County and the Texas Panhandle. |
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Other special guests at the ribbon cutting included Armstrong County Judge Hugh Reed, Claude Mayor Jim Hubbard, along with Susan Stockett from Texas Department of Transportation. Susan Shore represented Texas Historical Commission. Texas Plains Trails was represented by Regional Director Barbara Brannon. Hardin-Simmons University was represented by Dr. Tim Chandler and Dr. Randy Armstrong, along with several of their students. Amarillo Area Foundation was represented by their VP, Charlotte Rhodes. Without the assistance and guidance of these fine groups and individuals, the Charles Goodnight Historical Center and J. Evetts Haley Visitor and Education Center would not have been possible.
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Guests were greeted by the sight of live buffalo, on loan from Caprock Canyon State Park, and cared for by Cecil Miskin, owner of Buffalo Gold. These buffalo are genetically pure descendents of the original Goodnight buffalo herd.
Guests also enjoyed the "Back from the Brink" sculpture of Mary Ann hand-rearing buffalo calves (by distant relative Veryl Goodnight), and the life-sized buffalo sculpture given by the City of Midland and artfully painted by Marjeanne McGowan Rutt, retired art teacher and artist from Austin, who grew up in Claude and is the daughter of a founding member of the Armstrong County Museum. |