July 2022
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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New Sculpture and Watercolor Painting |
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Horseman with a Packhorse in Snow, a watercolor painting by James Boren, and a Melvin Warren bronze sculpture entitled Charro, were recently donated to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum by Judy Gunn, in honor of her late father, Ranger Bill Gunn. The Gunns and the Warrens shared a close friendship with each other after meeting at a BBQ in Meridian, Texas in 1967. The Warrens had just bought a ranch in the area and Ranger Gunn gave the couple his business card in case they ever needed anything. At the time, Warren was painting for President Johnson, and the president had gifted the family a longhorn as a token of appreciation. After being at the Warren’s ranch for several days, the longhorn disappeared. Mrs. Warren was afraid that the longhorn had been stolen, and called Ranger Gunn, who investigated the incident. Gunn assured the Warrens that the steer was probably off exploring and there was no sign of it being stolen. Sure enough, the longhorn showed up at the Warren’s barn that night. The Warrens and the Gunns remained close friends.
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Horseman with Packhorse in Snow
Artist James Boren
Watercolor on Paper
Gift of Judy Gunn in honor of Ranger Bill Gunn
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James Boren was born in 1921 in Waxahachie. Boren lived throughout most of Southwest Texas during his lifetime. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Kansas City and taught in Kansas for several years. Boren served as the first art director for the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma, before eventually leaving to focus on painting. By 1968, Boren had become a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, eventually serving as its president and secretary for two terms. He also served on the board of trustees at the Cowboy Artists of America Museum in Kerrville. Boren earned numerous awards during his career, including twelve gold and nine silver medals in annual Cowboy Artists of America shows and was named Texas Artist of the Year in 1976. His preferred medium was watercolor, earning a gold medal in the category at the annual competition of the Academy of Western Art in 1989. Boren passed away in 1991 and is survived by his daughter, western painter Nancy Boren. |
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Charro
Artist Melvin C. Warren
Bronze
Gift of Judy Gunn in honor of Ranger Bill Gunn
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Melvin C. Warren was born in 1920 in Texas and earned his fine art degree from Texas Christian University after serving in the Air Force. Warren’s love for western art developed from his childhood living on ranches with his father, a cowboy and ranch hand. Warren joined the Cowboy Artists of America in 1968 and immediately earned the group’s prestigious Memorial Award in his first exhibition with them. Warren was a skilled painter and sculptor and painted exclusively for President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s. Warren passed away in 1995. |
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Texas Ranger Talks return this summer! We are currently scheduling Texas Rangers to speak on the following Saturdays in July:
- July 9th - Major James Thomas from the Director's Office at DPS Headquarters
- July 23rd - Retired Ranger Jim Huggins who is a Forensic Science professor at Baylor University in Waco
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest information.
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Remembering Captain Jack Dean |
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Retired Texas Ranger Captain and U.S. Marshal Jack Dean (1937-2022). Dean had an impressive forty-three-year law enforcement career. He held the distinction of being one of only six men to serve in both the Officer’s Corps of the Rangers and also as a President-appointed United States Marshal. He also served on the TRHFM Advisory Board. RIP
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Thank you for a Terrific Home on the Range
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Legends of the Texas Rangers |
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A big thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for Home on the Range last month! We love the opportunity to share the fascinating history of the Rangers and the skills necessary to survive as a Ranger back in the 1870s. A special thank you to the reenactment groups the Legends of the Texas Rangers and the Texas Top Guns who helped us create a once in a lifetime experience for our visitors! We also had the honor of presenting author and historian Jan Deveraux, who gave a talk about the Petticoat Rangers—female DPS employees who were fully commissioned as law enforcement to go undercover in the ritzy gambling halls of Texas. This event wouldn’t be possible without you! |
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Resuming Outreach Activities: Moody Public Library |
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Among the popular educational offerings at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame are outreach programs and activities for schools, libraries, and community groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis and optimist clubs within driving distance of Waco. They are especially popular in smaller communities with limited resources like Navasota, Fairfield, West, Franklin, Albany, Mexia and West. |
Audrey Ladd, Education Programs Coordinator, together with volunteers and affiliated guest speakers talk to children and adults about Texas Ranger history, conduct story times, show and demonstrate artifacts and collections. School programs are designed for the 4th and 7th grade social studies curricula.
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During Covid restrictions these programs were interrupted when most schools, libraries and community halls were restricted or on lockdown. To adapt, Ms. Ladd developed a program of remote learning programs over the internet for ISDs, private schools and home schooling. These included lesson plans specially tailored with the help of Waco ISD, two series of video programs with Communications Coordinator Christine Rothenbush, school activities and webinars for children and teachers. |
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As COVID restrictions have been lifted requests are coming in again, especially in advance of the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers. The online programs remain available in the button below and will likely be expanded. This month the Education division was invited to the City of Moody Public Library to provide children’s history programs. Staff talked with students about Texas Ranger history and programs about DNA and how it is used in investigations.
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In June, we worked with the Humane Society of Central Texas and the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) to provide a space for a mass spay-neuter day in Waco. The dogs and cats were ones who are available to be or had recently been adopted by the Humane Society. |
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TCAP exists to end animal overpopulation and improve community animal welfare by providing low-cost preventative services throughout North Texas. This has been their mission for 20 years, and it is the goal to educate our community on the importance of spay/neutering. |
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Approximately 2.4 million pets are euthanized in animal shelters each year, which means an animal is euthanized every 13 seconds in the United States. This is a direct result of the animal overpopulation issue, and spay/neutering is the most humane way to combat these tragic outcomes for these pets. |
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Additionally, spaying/neutering your pet not only helps prevent unwanted litters, but also can lessen the chance that your pet develops certain cancers, reduce aggression, and increase your pet’s lifespan. |
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Remembering Historian Robert Utley |
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We are saddened to announce that historian Robert Utley has passed away at age 92. Robert Utley wrote Lone Star Justice: The First Century of the Texas Rangers in 2002 and Lone Star Lawmen: The Second Century of the Texas Rangers in 2007. A two-volume comprehensive history of the Rangers up to the end of the 1990s. When published, the books were looked upon as the new standard history of the Rangers, replacing Walter Prescott Webb’s 1965 book.
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Thank you for your contributions to Texas Ranger history. You'll be greatly missed. |
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Waco Axe Company Visits TRHFM |
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"We ❤️ WACO! This summer is the time to be a tourist in your own city!
Our family stopped by the Waco Visitor Center before touring the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum. The visitor center is a great place to learn more about what our city has to offer! There is a large interactive map, lots of great Waco merch and helpful employees!
We enjoyed checking out the Texas Ranger Museum also! It was quite impressive!"
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Thank you, Waco Axe Company, for the kind remarks and awesome bluebonnet photograph with "Texas Ranger" sculpture in the background. |
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New Gift Shop Product: Canteens |
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These new leather canteens will keep you hydrated during the hot Texas summer. Made in Wyoming, there are four available designs: longhorn, State of Texas, cowboy on horse and Native American on horse.
$75.00 + Tax
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To shop more items available for purchase, please visit our Gift Shop online or in person 9am to 4:30pm daily. You never have to pay admission to shop. Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (877) 750- 8631 or email thestore@texasranger.org to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you!
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Texas Ranger BicentennialTM 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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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 Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist |
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