The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame is excited to present the Santa and Friends Drive Through in the Museum parking lot on Saturday, December 5, from 5-8pm.  Come on out to the Museum to see lights, almost 50 inflatables, and live characters.  Santa has many friends so you never know who might show up.

You're invited to drop off your letter to Santa at the end of the drive through.  No postage needed since he'll be on site!  As an added treat, tune in to KNMJ 100.9 for a radio program designed specifically for this event.

Logistics:

The drive through line will queue up going clockwise around the circle of New Mexico Junior College.  You'll go up the hill on the South side of the Museum and the event will start in the Museum parking lot.  There will be signs, traffic controllers, and lead cars to make sure you're at the right spot.

Drive slow and pay attention to the car in front of you.

Santa and his friends will be leaving at 8pm, but you can still check out the lights and inflatables until 10pm.

Special thanks to NMJC, KNMJ, the Community Players of Hobbs, and the Museum volunteers.

Christmas Cancellations

 

The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame is sad to announce that the annual Christmas Traditions from Around the World event will be canceled this year.  “We know it has become the kick-off event of the season for many people,” said Erin Anderson, Executive Director of the Museum, “but there’s no way we can have an event that normally sees more than 600 people through the door in one night.”  There are plans, however, for an outdoor drive-by event in December.  More details on that soon.

 

The Christmas Family Fun Day will also be canceled, but you can come out for the Second Saturday Take and Make on December 12 from 10am-1pm and take home some Christmas crafts.  “We always have such a great time during Family Fun Day,” explained Mary Lyle, the Director of Education.  “We wanted you to be able to take some of the fun home.”

 

The Museum is currently closed for renovations, which means no Christmas trees and no Bonnie Moran’s North Pole Village.  “This will be the first time in my 12 years here that we don’t set up Christmas inside the Museum,” stated Anderson.  “It’s always such a magical time, but between COVID-19 and the renovations we decided this was our best option.”  The annual viewing of The Polar Express is also canceled.

 

Be on the lookout for more information about the December events, the renovations, and more exciting news for 2021.  Follow the Museum on Facebook and at their website.

 

 

VM Chambers

 Sylvester “V.M.” Chambers

 

Born:  February 10, 1868

Birthplace:  McKinney, TX

Parents:  Jasper Newton and Sarah Eleanor Chambers

Spouse:  Mattie Posern

Children:  Mattie Field and Daisy Clayton

Died:  December 31, 1957

 

Sylvester Chambers, also known as “V.M.”, “Vester”, and “Fessor”; grew up in Texas during the time of the Open Range Days.  He worked breaking horses in the “Indian Territory” and as a cowboy on numerous trail drives and for the C Ranch on the Canadian River.  At the age of 22, V.M. decided to further his 2^nd grade education, eventually earning a college degree.  Making his way “out west” to the Llano Estacado, V.M used his education and ranch hand abilities to cowboy or teach at the various locations he stopped.

 

V.M. arrived at what is now Lea County in 1897.  He filed on several claims and taught school at Murphy’s Chapel, Midway, and Plainview.  He was affectionately called “Fessor” by his pupils and friends.  V.M. married Mattie Posern in 1913 and took three trips back and forth to Texas before moving his family to Lea County.  In 1920 he bought two sections of land, three miles north of Plainview.  Within a few years he bought more land and stopped teaching, stocking his land with sheep and cattle.  V.M. had great pride in continuing to develop better strains of sheep and cattle.  He often expressed himself on what he believed to be the wonderful future of Lea County, and the many opportunities which could be available for future generations.  He loved New Mexico and often remarked, “if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us.”  He was a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and the New Mexico Wool Growers Association.

 

Although he spent most of his time ranching, he kept a life-long interest in promoting better educational opportunities for the youth of Lea County.  He was a promoter of the early day school bus for country children and encouraged and helped many students further their education.  V.M often said, “Opportunity may knock but once, and it is important to recognize when it’s knocking and respond.”

 

V.M. believed in the dignity of an individual and was always willing to lend a hand.  He was quick to perceive change in the social and economic environments and was able to adapt and succeed.  As he grew older, the hardships of his early life became humorous conversation for young listeners, told with his special sense of humor.  The latter part of his life were years of contentment.  The trip “out west” had been worthwhile and he had done his part to make it that way.

Clara E. (Bradley) Fowler

 

Clara E. (Bradley) Fowler

Born:  April 25, 1890

Birthplace:  Brady, TX

Parents:  Joseph and Sarah Bradley

Died:  March 11, 1983

Clara Fowler was born April 25, 1889, near Brady, TX to Joseph H. Bradley and Sarah E. (Terry) Bradley.  Clara had two siblings:  a sister, Cora Bradley, and brother, Ocie Bradley.

When Sarah died on June 2, 1892, Clara and Cora were adopted by Pascal and Mary L. Fowler.  In 1910, Pascal and Mary moved from Texas to New Mexico, filing on half sections of land joining one another.  Clara and Cora filed homesteads south of their adopted parents between state and school properties just west of Hobbs.  Clara Fowler filed for a homestead on the west half of Section 32 in Township 18 south of Range 38 east. She “proved up” on the claim and got her patent on the 320-acre homestead on November 5, 1917, the same year Lea County was formed.  The location of that homestead was in the area where now West County Road ties in with 62-180 (the Carlsbad Hwy).

Pascal died September 4, 1911, which prompted Cora and Clara to move in with their adopted mother until her death on June 27, 1916.  When Cora died on April 26, 1917, Ocie Bradley moved to Hobbs to help Clara with the stock and ranching properties.  Ocie died on October 7, 1929.  Sometime before 1940, Clara moved in with Steve and Charlcia Taylor, where she lived until her death on March 11, 1983.

As time went on, Clara along with Charlcia Taylor and the Taylor ranch raised Polled Hereford cattle and were even part of a 1968 nationwide sale of cattle to Santiago, Chile, South America, shipping 80 head of their Polled Herefords by ship.  The Chilean government wanted to improve the country’s domestic herds and sent veterinarians and cattlemen to the United States to find cattle suitable for the project.  The cattle of Clara Fowler and Charlcia Taylor met the needs of the Chilean government.  Again in 1969 Clara Fowler and Charlcia Taylor sent 88 head to Chile but this time the Fowler/Taylor cattle went by jet cargo plane.  

Clara was a charter member of the First Baptist Church of Hobbs in 1938, along with W.L. Greebon, Virgil Linam, B.J. Caudill, and L.E. Lake.  She was a member of the Open Range Cowboy Association and was chosen as their Cowboys’ Sweetheart in 1968.  She was also a member of the Lovington Rebekah Lodge.

Veterans of Lea County Oral History Project

 Veterans of Lea County Oral History Project

 

In honor of Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2020, the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame is inviting members of our community to participate in our Veterans of Lea County Oral History Project. The Museum is interested in collecting the stories of the men and women in our community who have served in the military. “One of the best ways to show appreciation for our veterans’ service is by preserving and sharing their stories,” said Mary Lyle, Director of Education.  

 

This project is a part of our Oral History program. Recordings of the Veterans of Lea County Oral History Project will be held by the Western Heritage Museum and made available through our website and YouTube channel. “There are over twenty recorded oral histories on our YouTube channel,” noted Lyle, “the addition of the Veterans of Lea County Oral History Project will expand our collection.” 

 

How can you participate? Since COVID 19 restrictions are still in effect, we will be conducting a ZOOM forum for Lea County Veterans on November 11 and November 12, at 10 - 11am and  

1 - 2 pm. There is a limit of 8 people per forum. All you need is a computer, smart phone or  tablet that has a camera and built-in microphone and an internet connection to participate. Since this will be done over ZOOM, you may need to download the free ZOOM “app” to your device. Each forum will be recorded and made available to the public on our website and our YouTube channel. 

 

If you or someone close to you would like to be a part of this forum please send an email to Mary Lyle, mlyle@nmjc.edu. Include the following information:

·      The day and time you would prefer 

·      Your name  

·      Email address  

·      The dates of your service (ex. 1940-1948) 

·      The branch of service 

·      The highest rank attained

You will be sent a ZOOM invitation along with some sample discussion questions. All of the recordings are the property of the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. 

 

We hope you’ll join us in honoring local servicemen and women. If you need assistance in order to participate or would like to share your story individually, please contact Mary Lyle,  mlyle@nmjc.edu, or 575-492-2679. 

Museum Update

The staff of the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame are anxious to welcome visitors back to the Museum,  however, we, along with New Mexico Junior College administration have decided the best course of action is to officially say we are closed at least until December no matter what the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are sad about this, but we will be using this time to make some exciting changes to the Museum, which we are looking forward sharing with you in the near future.

Until then, you will be missing two planned exhibits: Facing the Inferno: the Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer and Into the Great White Sands, Photographs by Craig Varjabedian.  We are happy to announce that Into the Great White Sands will return next year, August 29-October 31, 2021.  Even Pollinators: Keeping Company with Flowers will be returning since you missed that exhibit due to COVID-19.  When we have a firm date for that we will let you know.  We are in discussions to bring Facing the Inferno back as well.  Currently on our YouTube page, you can find a virtual tour of Pollinators and Facing the Inferno.

Aside from cancelling the two exhibits, we have made some other tough decisions as well.  Some of our favorite annual events occur during the fall and winter, which makes this announcement even harder.  For safety reasons related to COVID-19, we have decided to cancel:  Fall Classic Film Series, in person Staked Plains Roundup, Dia de los Muertos Family Fun Day, and Christmas Traditions from Around the World.  We did not make these decisions lightly, but for the safety of both our visitors and our staff, we felt it necessary.  However, we will be trying some new events like a virtual Staked Plains.  Stay tuned for more information about that.

As much as we want to see you, safety is our main concern.  For now, check out our website for online activities.  Do not forget to purchase your raffle tickets, the proceeds of which go towards scholarships for the NMJC Rodeo Team.  The drawing is August 8 at 7pm on Facebook live.  You can also nominate someone for induction into the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame.  Nomination forms are available on our website.  We may be closed, but we are working hard for you!  Stay safe!

2020 Raffle

Digital Bug Collection

Kim Claunch Bio

Kimberlee Claunch is the new Curator of the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the campus of the New Mexico Junior College. She has worked part time at the museum for the past three years as Curatorial Intern.

Kim received her Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of the Southwest in 2016. She graduated with a minor in Sociology. After graduation from the USW she volunteered to be the Curatorial Intern for the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of fame. She went on to get a certificate in Museum Education and Directorship from Northwestern University and in the summer of 2019, she graduated from the University of Leicester with her Masters of Arts in Museum Studies.

Growing up in Hobbs, NM and going on yearly trips across the United States helped develop the dreamer in Kim. It took a Lead America trip to Washington D.C. to make everything in Kim’s head snap together. Walking through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. Kim fell in love with the idea of making history come to life. She loved the idea of being immersed in history and realizing events actually happened. She has now made it a goal to help bring history to life with museum displays and artifacts on display.

Kim is excited to work at the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. She views the Museum as a home away from home and a place to play in local and regional history. Her excitement starts with trying to immerse the folk of Lea County in the rich history around them while trying to help bring in history from around the globe. Kim is grateful that the Museum and the New Mexico Junior College has given her the opportunity to be in her dream job.

Erin Anderson Bio

Erin Anderson is the new Executive Director of the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the campus of New Mexico Junior College.  She has worked at the Museum for 11 years as Museum Curator.

Erin received her Bachelors of Arts in History from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, in 2005.  She also graduated with minors in Anthropology and The Classics, and a certificate in Medieval Studies.  She went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Museum Science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, in 2008.  During college and graduate school, Erin volunteered and worked in a number of museums:  Anthropology Museum at NIU, Museum of Texas Tech University, National Ranching Heritage Center, Lubbock Lake Landmark, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Growing up near Chicago, IL allowed Erin the opportunity to visit some of the best museums in the country.  It was here that her love of museums began.  Researching history had always been a passion for Erin, but seeing the actual objects from history brought everything into a whole new light.  Erin knew she would pursue a career in museums during a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in 2000 while walking through the traveling exhibition, Titanic: The Exhibition, from RMS Titanic, Inc.  Erin looked not at the artifacts, but at the exhibit as a whole and said “I can do this.”  While Museum Curator at the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame, Erin looked around the Museum in 2016 during Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, from Premier Exhibitions (formally RMS Titanic, Inc) and said “I did do this.” 

Erin has lived in Hobbs, NM for 11 years and considers it home.  She is a part of the Community Players of Hobbs and New Antiquities Theatre Company where she has been an actor, costumer, stage manager, usher, and assistant director.  She is a founding member of the award winning a cappella group, Accidental Harmony.  She also serves on the board of the Southwest Symphony. Erin is a member of the American Alliance of Museums, the Mountain Plains Museum Association, the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, and the New Mexico Association of Museums where she has served on the board.  As Executive Director she hopes to bring her love of history and museums to Hobbs with world-class traveling exhibits and fun and educational permanent exhibits about Southeastern New Mexico.