W.K. Gordon Center Hosts Full Day of Texas History Oct. 9 in Thurber

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 4, 2021

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University’s W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center for the Industrial History of Texas in Thurber plans a full day of Texas history from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, featuring award-winning authors, presenters and a world-class spur maker. There is no charge.

“Saddle Up! The World Spurs Helped Create” will cover life on the cattle trail, ranching and a look at spur making. Seating is limited. Reservations are encouraged.

Schedule for the day:

8:50 — Welcome

Session One

9 a.m. — Wayne Ludwig: “Up the Chisholm Trail in 20 Minutes”

9:20 a.m. — David Murrah: “C.C. Slaughter and the Lazy S Ranch”

9:40 a.m. — Scott Sosebee: “From Germany to Crosby County: The Life of Hank Smith, a ‘Westerning’ Man”

Session Two

10:30 a.m. — Michael Grauer: “Multiculturism and Texas Ranching”

10:50 a.m. — Ronald Davis: “Enslaved Cowboys in Texas”

11:10 a.m. — Kevin Fontenot: “The Greatest Liar I Ever Knew: A Real Cowboy Who Inspired the Great Western Record”

Session Three

1 p.m. — Renee Laegrid: “Kate and Nancy Binford: Texas Ranch Women (who may have worn spurs)”

1:20 p.m. — Mick Miller: “Cowboy Correspondence and Tidbits from the Trail”

1:40 p.m. — Wilson Capron: ‘The Art of Making Spurs”

2 p.m. — Q&A

The museum will be open until 4 p.m. for participants to enjoy. To make reservations, call 254-968-1886. To join via Zoom, visit https://www.tarleton.edu/gordoncenter and scroll to the bottom of the events listing.

The W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center, a facility of Tarleton State University, is at 65258 Interstate 20, Exit 367, Mingus, Texas, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. It is a combined museum and special collections library located at the site of the Thurber ghost town. Visitors enjoy interactive exhibits that explore the birth, operations and death of a town owned by the Texas and Pacific Coal Co.

Contact:

Mary Adams, Museum Manager
254-968-1886
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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