Founded in 1921, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is a fascinating chronicle of lives and events which have shaped this unique area of the country. In its collections, more than two million artifacts that record the adventures of a host of rogues, heroes and everyday people who made the plains their home. One of the more unusual exhibits is a life-size pioneer village. The museum contains collections in art, history, archeology, paleontology, petroleum, transportation, textiles, firearms and archives. Get up close and personal with a prehistoric Rhinoceros or a life-size, meat-eating Allosaurus. See the beauty of some of the Southwest’s finest art collection displayed in five well-appointed galleries. Check out the geology of the area and see how Palo Duro Canyon was formed. The museum offers something of interest for everyone and is well-worth the visit.
Get up close and personal with a prehistoric Rhinoceros or a life-size, meat-eating Allosaurus. See the beauty of some of the Southwest?s finest art collection displayed in five well-appointed galleries. Check out the geology of the area and see how Palo Duro Canyon was formed. The museum offers something of interest for everyone and is well-worth the visit.
Museum.History=In 1931, during the depths of the depression and dust bowl, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society proposed a grant to the state legislature to match the $29,000 raised by people of the Panhandle for construction of a museum. Governor Ross Sterling appropriated $25,000 in funds, creating the first state supported museum.
The Hazlewood Lectura Hall, Derrick Room, Pioneer Hall or the entire museum is available for rental.
PPHM has cell phone tours or QR barcodes for further information not found in the exhibit.
To collect, preserve, conserve, exhibit and interpret the historical, ethnological, cultural, and scientific heritage of the Panhandle-Plains region of Texas and related areas of the Southwest; to operate and maintain the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Texas A&M University Board of Regents; to enlist interest and support in achieving the mission; and to undertake other related activities.
The doors of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum opened April 4, 1933. At that time a one room building, PPHM has expanded over the years to become Texas' largest history museum.
PPHM has more than 2 million artifacts comprising collections in western heritage, fine art, decorative art, textiles, archeology, paleontology, transportation and petroleum.
The PPHM archives covers history and life on the Panhandle-Plains through architechtural drawings and maps, manuscripts and photographs, oral history interviews, farm and rach records, manufacturer's trade literature collection, and a special collection library.
The wealth of programming at PPHM includes exhibit specific events from lectures to receptions, family-friendly events that cater to children with hands on activities indoors and outdoors, adult group tours with a curator, and programs and inservices for teachers.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Society Board of Trustees.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: False
Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours