Last updated: 1/9/2012
Highway 285 & First Street
Pecos, TX 79772
PO Box 1784
Pecos, TX 79772
$4 Adults; $ 3 Seniors (65+); $ 1 Kids (6-18) Free 5 and under
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Debra Thomas
phone: 915-445-5076
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Dorinda Millan
phone:
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Freda Blahosky
phone: 915-445-5076
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Neal Thomas
phone: 915-445-5076
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West of the Pecos Museum is one of the biggest and best heritage museums in the state. Community members have been voluntarily putting this museum together since 1963. In 2003 the museum will celebrate 4 decades of existence. The Museum has evolved as a social hub for the community. Meetings, receptions, reunions, weddings, book reviews, fiestsa, workshops, parties and museum fund raisers take place at the museum.
In 1896, R. S. Johnson, a former Texas Ranger, built a two-story red sandstone building with a saloon on the first floor and bedrooms above. In 1904, Mr. Johnson added the three-story Orient Hotel. A hand-operated molding machine produced crude, but durable concrete blocks with which this building was constructed. The building was used as a hotel until the mid-fifties.
In 1963 a museum committee of the Chamber of Commerce purchased the buildings. Though sound structurally, the buildings needed a great amount of renovation and repair. Preparing it for a museum became a community project. The lobby and the old "Number 11" Saloon, were recreated in a turn-of-the-century setting.
The Texas State Historical Survey Committee awarded an official historical building
medallion in 1963. In 1965, a descriptive plate was added by the Reeves County Historical Survey Committee. The building now belongs to the West of the Pecos Museum, Inc. It is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the most complete historical museums of present day.
In 1994-95 a major restoration of $500,000 was completed. The third floor was restored expanding the museum area. A total of 50 rooms of exhibits of western history await the museum visitor.
The West of the Pecos Museum is an educational, historical, cultural and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
TheWest of the Pecos Museum has over 50 rooms of exhibits in addition two large outside exhibits which are the Farm & Ranch area and a Chuck Wagon exhibit.
The Old Number 11 Saloon built in 1896 has been completely restored. A couple of plaques on the floor show the visitors where two outlaws were killed. Also if you look close enough, you will spot some bullet holes. This is one of the museum's most favored rooms. Railroad, Pioneer Schoolroom, Ranch, Saddle, Rodeo, Kitchen and an impressive Indian Arrowhead collectin are but a few of the rooms that the visitor will encounter at the Museum.
The museum has Pecos newspapers dating back to 1910 Many are too fragile to be handled very much, but museum staff will gladly help when anyone needs information.
Educational and special events take place throughout the year. Different topics of interest are explored in the form of programs and exhibits.
Newsletter twice annually, annual report to Board, schedules and calendars of events, the museum brochure. All of the museum's numerous activities are announced on local radio, daily newspaper, local TV, area newspapers, and other publications. For the museum book store, the museum has published two cookbooks.
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