11 years ago

The month of May was exceedingly busy for the Square House Museum. The Museum staff, working with Panhandle Elementary third grade teachers, provided artifacts and costumes for the Living Museum. This is an excellent activity where each student chooses a notable Carson County resident and memorizes a short monologue about their life and contributions. Along with this, they dress in period costume and, if possible, display various artifacts from that person or time.

Guided tours were given to students from White Deer Elementary, West Texas Elementary, Panhandle Elementary and Crockett Elementary of Borger. Tours were also provided for Pampa Sheltered Workshop Special Needs Adults, Pampa Extension Homemakers, Amarillo Senior Citizens Center and Craig Retirement Center. Over 900 students and adults enjoyed the Museum. A BIG thank you is extended to Museum docents (volunteers) Terri Koetting, Ardell McAtee, Judy Sherrod, Chea Thiem and Larry Poteet for their time in helping with the school tours. It would have been impossible to do these tours without them.

School trunks by Sandy Poteet and Russ Chisum were given to Miami Elementary, West Texas Elementary, Pampa Elementary, Mesa Verde Elementary and White Deer Elementary. Almost 500 students and teachers listened to presentations from the Pioneer, Ranching, Indian and Railroad Trunks. These trunks are traveling resources which contain artifacts, information and some hands on activities for students. Museum staff also participated in the WOWW Field Day held at the Civic Center on May 9 serving samples of Pioneer cornbread, beans, and apricot cobbler to over 700 students and teachers from across the Panhandle. Almost 2000 students and teachers benefited from programs of the Museum

A Railroad Appreciation dinner was hosted for the volunteers from the Scot-Free Railroaders Club who bring their trains to the Hazlewood Auditorium through the months of April and May. Each train module contains a different scene and each railroader has his own train to run. The exhibit encompasses the entire auditorium and members of the club volunteer their time for the entire two months so that someone is available to run the trains for visitors. They volunteered over 900 hours during this two month period. This exhibit is a great favorite of young and old alike! Special thanks go to Skip Smith for his time and efforts to make this exhibition possible!

A Bicycle Safety Training course was hosted by personnel from the Square House Museum and Panhandle ISD Security Officer, Drew Brassfield at the Ag Barn on Saturday, May 24 from 9 to noon. Further information will be upcoming.