June 2019
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Newsletter
Sponsored by the City of Waco
Official State Historical Center of the Texas Rangers
Home of Texas Ranger Bicentennial 1823-2023
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Modeled on the popular
Astronaut Encounter
at the Kennedy Space Center
,
the museum will host a series of informal
Texas Ranger Talks!
on select Saturdays throughout the summer. Each presentation will last approximately 30 minutes followed by 15 minutes for Q&A. Presentations occur at 10am and 2pm and are included with regular admission to the museum.
The first will feature Major Corey Lain, Company "F," on Saturday, June 8th during our
Home on the Range
event. Texas Top Guns reenactors will bring visitors into the past to learn about life on the
Texas frontier in the 1870s. What did the early Rangers cook and eat in the field? How did Ranger clothes and gear help them get the job done? What skills did Rangers need to survive on the frontier and as early law enforcement officers?
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Texas Ranger Lt. James Thomas speaking at the Texas Ranger Talk during Spring Break Round Up
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June 8th
June 22nd
July 6th
July 20th
August 3rd
August 17th
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Major Corey Lain, Co. "F"
Steve Foster, Retired
Matt Cawthon, Retired
Matt Cawthon, Retired
Captain Richard Sweaney, Retired
Texas Ranger Jake Burson, Co. "F"
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*Please note:
Dates and speakers are subject to change.
Keep an eye on our
website
and
Facebook page
!
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I-35 Waco Construction Beginning - We Will Be Open!
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Over the next several years, I-35 Waco construction will widen the highway and improve frontage roads and interchanges. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2024.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum including John Knox Banquet Center, Tourist Information Center and the Texas Ranger Association Foundation offices will remain open and accessible to visitors.
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Texas Ranger Book for the Blind and Physically Challenged
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The first edition of
Texas Rangers Lives, Legend and Legacy
sold out within 90 days of publication. Because of its popularity, it has been selected for the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Books are selected for the NLS collection on the basis of their appeal across a wide range of interests. Only thirty-five percent of books chosen are nonfiction like
Texas Rangers
. NLS selects publications for braille, ebraille, and digital audio format. Any resident or American citizen living abroad who is unable to read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations may
apply for service
at no cost through 87 participating library systems nationwide.
We are delighted that
Texas Rangers Lives, Legend and Legacy
has been selected for the NLS collection, making the history of the Texas Rangers available to more than 750,000 persons. If you or someone you know would benefit from this service, please
click here
.
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Ranger Reunion: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
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Texas Ranger Reunion 2019 Information Booklet
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In June, Waco will once again be hosting the annual Texas Ranger Reunion. Organized by the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, the Texas Ranger Reunion gives both active and retired Rangers a chance to see each other and honor past Rangers. This year's theme,
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
, serves as an homage to almost 200 years of Texas Ranger history.
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The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum has an exhibit on past Texas Ranger Reunions in Taub Hall. Many of the items on display are on loan to the museum from the collection of Dr. Anthony Sapienza.
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Texas Ranger Hall of Fame's exhibit on Texas Ranger Reunions in Taub Hall
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Junior Ranger Sworn in by Ranger Lieutenant Mims
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On May 15th, Pierce Russell was sworn in as a Junior Texas Ranger by Texas Ranger Lt. Billy Jack Mims, Co. "F" in Austin. In this photo, Lt. Mims is leading Pierce in the Ranger oath from the Frontier Battalion. This was a birthday gift for the 5-year-old, and an experience he will never forget.
Based off the 1930s Junior Ranger program, your child receives a badge, admission pass and a personalized certificate. Please
click here
to learn more about the program.
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Field Trip Day at the Confederate Reunion Grounds in Mexia
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On May 15th, Education Programs Manager Audrey Ladd and Collections Assistant Rachel Smith visited the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site in Mexia, Texas. Invited as part of the "Confederate Reunion Grounds Field Trip Day," Rachel and Audrey spoke with elementary students from the Mexia area about Texas Ranger History.
If you are interested in having TRHFM come and speak at your next event, please
visit our website
or contact Audrey Ladd, Education Programs Manager, at 254-750-8631.
For more information on the Grounds, please
click here
.
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Rachel Smith at the TRHFM table at the Confederate Reunion Grounds in Mexia, Texas.
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In May, the Museum was featured in two articles.
The
Fort Hood Sentinel
newspaper is distributed on Fort Hood military base - the largest United States military installation and is located in nearby Killeen, Texas. Kelby Wingert describes a visit to the "Texas Ranger Museum: Step back into the 'Wild West'."
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In the
Fort Worth Weekly
, Jimmy Fowler highlights various "Day Trips and Weekend Getaways" around the State for its Fort Worth readers. The Museum is one of four museums highlighted in his "Golden Olden Times" category.
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Legends of the Old West Podcasts
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Legends of the Old West has dedicated Season 5 of their podcasts to the Texas Rangers.
"The people of Texas knew the name 'Texas Rangers' long before the rest of the country. But by the late 1840s, the country, and the world, had caught up. Under the leadership of men like John Coffee Hays, Samuel Walker, and many others, the Rangers became a feared fighting force and gained international fame."
The podcasts include:
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Season 5 Preview "Texas Rangers" - They wore no uniforms. They implored no dress codes. But the men of the "spy companies" or "mounted volunteers" were easily recognized by their gruff appearance, superior horses and array of weapons.
In the years between the Texas revolution and the American Civil War, these men became officially known as the Texas Rangers. Legendary commanders led the Rangers through battles with Comanches, bandits and the Mexican army.
This season covers the stories of John Coffee Hays, Ben McCulloch, Samuel Walker, Bigfoot Wallace, John “RIP” Ford, and Lawrence “Sul” Ross from 1840 to 1860.
Episode 1 "A Captain Rises" - A Tennessean named John Coffee Hays rises to prominence as the commander of the Texas Rangers. Tension rises between Texas and Mexico, and the Rangers are on the front lines.
Episode 2 "Fight Like the Devil" - The Rangers fight a small battle with the Comanches that ends up impacting the entire history of the American West. Tensions finally boil over and the two nations go to war.
Episode 3 “War, and the Walker Colt” - President Polk, furious with General Taylor’s ceasefire agreement, orders the war to continue; the Colt Walker revolver is created and revolutionizes the firearms industry.
Episode 4 "Comanche Moon" - With official orders from Governor Runnels to follow any and all hostile or suspected hostile Indians, John RIP Ford and the cavalry would enter two of the bloodiest, savage years in Texas history since the Revolution.
Episode 5 "Naduah" - A discovery will become one of the most controversial in Texas history, when Captain Sul Ross finds Cynthia Ann Parker who was taken by Comanches 20 years earlier.
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Please
click here
to listen to the "Texas Rangers" podcasts.
*Please note these were independently produced by Black Barrel Media without our assistance.
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Importance of the Archives
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When a Texas Ranger retires, we encourage him/her to donate service records to the archives at the Tobin and Anne Armstrong Texas Ranger Research Center. These records help us tell the story of what Rangers accomplished in the 21st century. They also allow us to answer research requests, such as the one we received by Kelly Wheeler. Future generations can look back with pride when they learn about these modern Rangers.
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Good morning! My name is Jennifer “Kelly” Wheeler, I am named for Ranger Whitehead who was my uncle. He passed before I was born, and I consequently I know little about him with the exception of how admired and loved he was by my family. I was given his service knife, badge and gun all with his serial number on them as an infant, and tragically they were stolen when I was 4 in Mesquite, Texas. I’d really like to know more about him. I have visited his and my aunts grave, but I have no pictures of him and next to nothing about his service. Anything you can tell me/send me would be so very appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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If you are a retired Texas Ranger and want to learn more about donating copies of your service records, please contact us toll free at 877-750-8631 or
click here
to learn more.
If your have a Texas Ranger ancestor and would like to know more about his/her service, please
click here
to learn more and download an application.
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Jimmy Don Holmes of JDH Iron Designs, seen on the HGTV show "Fixer Upper," is a metalsmith in Waco known for his signs and home decor. In May, he created these Texas Ranger flag pole brackets and donated two sets: one to the Museum and one to the Texas Ranger Association Foundation. They hang by the entrances to both facilities. We are grateful for his generous gift.
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Texas Ranger Bicentennial
TM
Partners Program
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Be part of the Texas Ranger Bicentennial! The Texas Rangers will commemorate their landmark 200th anniversary in 2023. With a $100 contribution, you will receive:
- A limited-edition enameled bronze pin featuring the official Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ seal
- A certificate signed by an active or distinguished retired Texas Ranger
- Your name or family name on the online roster of Bicentennial Partners™
- A one-time-use family admission ticket (admits 4) to the Museum.
$90 of the contribution qualifies as a charitable contribution. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a 170(c) government-owned nonprofit.
Please
click here
to learn more about the program.
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Official Texas Rangers Bicentennial Pin
Trademarked by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety
Designed by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
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Education Center
The following groups utilized the Education Center for programs in May:
Texas Rangers
Texas DPS
NAACP
National Rural Letter Carriers Assocation
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Save $1.00 off regular adult admission for up to two adults. Coupon not valid on discounted senior or military admission. No cash value.
The museum is open 9am to 5pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30pm. The museum is located off I-35 and University Parks Drive in Waco, Texas. For more information, call (254) 750-8631 or visit
www.texasranger.org
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Newsletter Compiled by Audrey Ladd, Education Programs Manager
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