With 200,000 Square Feet Of Exhibits, This Small Town Museum In Texas Is A True Hidden Gem
By Katie Lawrence|Published June 15, 2023
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Canyon, Texas is a Panhandle town that’s home to just under 15,000 people – and the largest history museum in Texas. The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is a 200,000-square-foot treasure trove of exhibits that showcase the region’s history dating back 14,000 years. If you’re a local history buff like me – or just enjoy learning more about our great state – this is the museum for you.
Tucked away in the small town of Canyon, home to the eponymous Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum is located on the campus of West Texas A&M University and is the largest history museum in the state.
With over 200,000 square feet of exhibits, including more than three million original artifacts, the museum details the history of the Panhandle-Plains region of Texas and the American Southwest as a whole dating back 14,000 years.
Human history isn't all that is showcased at the museum. Paleontology enthusiasts will love the extensive collection of fossils, including this Allosaurus skeleton.
The exhibits are set up in such a way as to provide visitors with a fully immersive experience. You'll walk through entire rooms that are near-exact replicas of the offices of notable figures from the Panhandle-Plains region...
...and get the rare opportunity to step back in time when you enter Pioneer Town, a life-size Old West settlement complete with a livery, saloon, schoolhouse, pioneer cabin, and several other buildings.
This collection of items was gifted to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society by Charles Goodnight, a Civil War-era Texas Ranger, in the 1920s. You'll see a leather ammunition pouch, powder horn, awl, pistol, and iron ladle.
Have you ever visited the largest history museum in Texas? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn about Palo Duro Canyon, the nation’s second-largest canyon. You have to see it in person while you’re in town!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
