Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame 
Bits & Pieces
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
August 29, 2015
10am-3pm

Family Fun Day

 

This Family Fun Day goes along with our exhibit, Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild, Photographs by Michael Forsberg.  Join us as we learn about animal tracks, conservation and the Great Plains.

 

September 10 and 11
9am-2pm

Staked Plains Roundup

 

Partnering with the Junior College, Staked Plains Roundup is an opportunity for second graders to learn about the Western way of life: past, present and future.

 

If you would like to bring your second grade class or volunteer please contact our educators.

 

Stay Connected
undefined
August 20, 2015
NMJC - Success Through Learning
Did you know that the Western Heritage Museum is a part of New Mexico Junior College?  NMJC came into existence in 1965.  The Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame was created in 1978 and used space on the NMJC campus.  Eventually the Hall of Fame outgrew the facilities in Caster Gymnasium.  NMJC built a new building in 2005 where the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame would join with the newly founded Western Heritage Museum.  The Museum and Hall of Fame tell the story of southeastern New Mexico:  pioneers, ranching and oil. Together they aim to enhance the mission of NMJC:  success through learning.
"Many people don't realize the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame facility is a New Mexico Junior College owned and operated campus building. The 'Museum', as many people refer to it, is an absolute blessing to Lea County, the region, and NMJC. The Museum provides opportunities that very few community colleges get to experience, such as great traveling exhibits. In my opinion, the Museum is one of the best looking facilities in the region and provides great educational value to students, staff and the citizenry." ~ Dr. Steve McCleery, President of NMJC

The Museum and Hall of Fame bring children to the Museum and introduce them to NMJC.  During the spring semesters, the Museum hosts exhibits focused on families and grade school children.  From January - May, the Museum and Hall of Fame bring 5,000 students and parents through their doors, and that's just for school tours.  Fall sees another 2,000 students and parents for Staked Plains Roundup. Because of rain last year, we moved Staked Plains Roundup to the Equine Center. The event worked really well in that space and, for that reason, Staked Plains will take place entirely at the Equine Center this year.  Second grade children will be able to learn the Western way of life, past and present, at this Museum-sponsored event, but will also learn about the Equine Program and Rodeo Team at NMJC.  We wouldn't be able to put the event on without the help of the many NMJC employees who graciously donate their time. The students may be young, but they remember these experiences and we want them to join us on campus again.

Staff/Faculty Picnic, 1960s Theme
NMJC has been hosting events at the Museum for years and the number of those events has been increasing.  Recently, the Museum has been a venue for faculty/staff retirement parties, welcome receptions, campus luncheons, staff/faculty/family picnics and various meetings.  Last week, the Museum staff joined the rest of the NMJC faculty and staff in the theater at the Museum for the General Faculty/Staff Meeting where we learned about the state of the Junior College and prepared for the upcoming school year.  The Campus Public Safety Meeting was also held in the theater of the Museum.  Director of Aministrative Services, Bill Morrill stated:  "The Museum is a valuable tool for all of Lea County and surrounding communities.  By getting the Museum involved in the safety meeting we have furthered the safety features that have been put into place at New Mexico Junior College.  Our goal has always been an open access environment that is safety conscious." 
Campus Safety Meeting
New events are being constantly suggested by staff and faculty to be held at the Museum.  For example, the Museum will be the location for Constitution Day on September 14, 2015 and Pi Day on March 14, 2016. The Museum is also participating in the campus scavenger hunt in honor of the 50th anniversary of NMJC this fall.
Coming Soon!
The Museum and Hall of Fame are thankful to be a part of the NMJC family.  Without the support and help of NMJC, we would not be able to bring you amazing exhibits like Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild, Photographs by Michael Forsberg or Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, coming next fall.

Nominations

The Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame Banquet is on November 7.  The time is quickly approaching when we will be accepting nominations for the Bronze Cowboy. If a nominee does not qualify for Bronze Cowboy, they will be considered for Silver Concho.  Only members of the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame can make a nomination.  The deadline for nominations is September 8, 2015.  For nomination guidelines and forms, please click here.  For a list of past inductees please check out our Exhibits page. For more information on becoming a member please click here .

Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild, Photographs by Michael Forsberg

Last week's photo is entitled Bison Herd Crossing the Cheyenne (above).  What is the title of the next photograph from the Great Plains exhibit represented below? The exhibit is open now - November 10, 2015.  #WHMForsberg

 

Western Heritage Museum | 575-492-2678 | [email protected] |
www.nmjc.edu/museum
1 Thunderbird Circle
New Mexico Junior College
Hobbs, NM 88240