In the wake of the recent closure of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM), the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society (PPHS) held a press conference today to outline its plan for safeguarding and sharing its collection of more than 2 million artifacts.
The museum, located on the campus of West Texas A&M University (WT), was closed following fire safety concerns identified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. While WT owns and maintains the museum building, the extensive collection of historical artifacts belongs to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society — a distinction PPHS emphasized as it reassured the public that the history of the region remains in good hands.
“We understand the weight of the decision and support the priority placed on public safety,” said PPHS Board Member Mark White. “We respect the seriousness of the findings and are focused on what comes next: finding new ways to share the collection with the public and preserving it for future generations.”
White acknowledged the deep concern among the community and history enthusiasts, noting that more than 2,000 students were scheduled to visit the museum in April and May alone. The closure disrupted not only local field trips but also travel plans for visitors from across the country.
Still, PPHS leaders are determined to adapt. “While the museum doors are closed, our mission continues,” White said.
A New Chapter in Preservation and Public Engagement
The society laid out a multi-pronged approach to ensure the collection remains accessible and continues to inspire future generations. Among the key initiatives announced:
Pop-Up and Traveling Exhibits: PPHS is planning mobile displays to bring artifacts into schools, libraries, and community centers. These pop-up exhibits aim to give students and the public hands-on experiences with historical items while the museum undergoes repairs.
Digital Accessibility: A major digitization project is underway to make parts of the collection available online. The goal is to expand access for educators, researchers, and history enthusiasts worldwide.
New Website Launch: A revamped website will serve as the central hub for museum updates, exhibit schedules, educational content, and ways for the public to support the society’s efforts.
Secure Storage and Artifact Safety: PPHS is working to secure safe storage and transport solutions for the artifacts during the closure, ensuring their long-term preservation.
Ongoing Acquisitions: Despite the museum shutdown, the society confirmed it is continuing to acquire new artifacts and preserve stories that define the history and culture of the Texas Panhandle.
White said the trustees and staff are committed to an orderly and professional process, grounded in their long-standing responsibility to protect the region’s historical treasures. “The good thing is that the trustees take this responsibility very, very seriously, and we have professionals on staff,” he said.
History On the Move
Although the timeline for repairs to the museum building remains uncertain — and could take years — PPHS officials say this challenge presents an opportunity to think differently about how history is shared.
“We are working diligently now to figure out how we exhibit those artifacts, primarily to school children at this point, but also to the general public — doing pop-up exhibits, exhibits outside, exhibits in schools, traveling exhibits, digital exhibits, things like that,” said White.
In its closing remarks, PPHS emphasized that the closure of the museum building does not equate to the closure of the museum’s mission. The society’s leadership encouraged the public to stay connected via their website, panhandleplains.org, and social media channels for the latest updates and opportunities to engage with local history.
