June 2021
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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Visiting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame:
Pursuant to Texas Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-36
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Masks are no longer be required by visitors at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum (TRHFM). Visitors who are not fully vaccinated, or in contact with unvaccinated individuals, are urged to consider continue masking and social distancing.
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Interactive exhibits have been returned to service for visitor enjoyment. Please call (254) 750-8631 if you have any questions.
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"Ask the Ranger Museum" Featuring Collections Department
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“Ask the Ranger Museum” returns! Do you want to go behind the scenes at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum? The museum preserves a growing collection of approximately 20,000 artifacts and works of art donated by benefactors or on loan to the People of Texas. For our fifth episode, we will interview TRHFM Collections Manager Shelly Crittendon and Assistant Collections Manager Rachel Smith.
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Please submit your questions for the Collections Department in advance via the link below. Please include your name and location so we can give you a shout out if we highlight your question. We'll try to answer as many questions as we can. Please submit your questions by the end of the day Thursday, June 10. Thanks!
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The Collections Department is responsible for the preservation, documentation, and management of the artifacts and artworks in the museum's collection. Responsibilities include acquisition, registration, cataloguing, processing of loans, digital database management and cooperating with current and potential donors on new acquisitions. The Collections Department also leads the Exhibits Committee to develop and install new exhibits.
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The Collections Department recently installed a new exhibit in Morris Gallery that features two Dance Bros. revolvers and the history of the J.H. Dance and Company. One is on loan from Walter Steele and the other is loaned by John, Jeanne and Kevin Marmor.
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James Henry Dance and his brothers established J. H. Dance and Company in 1858 in Columbia, Texas, manufacturing gristmills and cotton gins. After the Civil War broke out in 1861, the company began producing small numbers of firearms. Unlike the Union, the South had few factories. As a result, Texas and the Confederacy faced a critical shortage of firearms. Few firearms could be smuggled through the Union coastal blockade. The Texas government encouraged production of firearms at home. Because of the Confederacy’s high demand for firearms, the company’s employees were granted exemption from military service. Over the next few years, the company produced 300-400 quality revolvers. One of the last known shipments of Dance revolvers, 25 pistols, was sent to Houston in April 1865. When the war ended shortly thereafter, the Dances returned to manufacturing gristmills and cotton gins. After the war, some Dance revolvers remained in service with Texas Rangers.
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In April, blogger Robin Buck visited Waco including the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Her adventures were documented in the article, "History and Charm in Waco, Texas."
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Although we visited Waco several years ago our recent stop proved that there was still more to see in this Texas town of 140,000. We spent two days checking out the sights and learning some history to boot. If you haven’t been to Waco, it’s definitely worth a look.
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Please click here to continue reading about Robin's adventure.
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Liberty County’s Texas Ranger Gets New Assignment
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After eight years as the Texas Ranger for Liberty County, Ranger Brandon Bess has been assigned to the agency’s unsolved crimes investigation program. Bess’s new role means he will be focusing on cold case investigations using technological advancements in genealogy and DNA. It’s a dream position for Bess, who recently was instrumental in identifying a suspect in a 1995 cold case murder out of Beaumont, Texas.
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Bess has already helped solve three cold cases, including the Beaumont murder, and is hoping to provide justice for more victims and their families. “I am super passionate about solving homicide and serial sexual assault cases in particular,” Bess said.
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Filling the position in Liberty County is Ranger Joshua Benson, a native of Conroe, Texas. “Ranger Benson is a young, energetic, smart family man. He will be a super Ranger for Liberty County. He’s way smarter than me,” said Bess, jokingly.
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Please click here to the full article by Bluebonnet News on Rangers Bess and Benson.
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Governor Greg Abbott Names 'Official Handgun' of Texas
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Texas' official handgun is now the 1847 Colt Walker pistol. The resolution was signed by Governor Abbott in May.
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After the Rangers used the Colt Paterson revolver with great success on the Texas frontier, Samuel Colt met with former Texas Ranger Samuel H. Walker to discuss improvements to his invention. The Colt Walker revolver, produced in 1847, improved upon the Colt Paterson by adding a fixed trigger with trigger guard, a sixth chamber and by having interchangeable parts for easier repair. With the success of this pistol, Samuel Colt opened a factory in Hartford, Connecticut, and became one of the world's leading firearms manufacturers.
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Please click here to watch a newscast by Rebecca Fiedler about how the official gun resolution came to be and the Colt Walker's link to the Museum.
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The Texas Ranger Classic is a series of annual fundraising events benefiting the Texas Ranger Association Foundation (TRAF) and the Texas Rangers. The sporting clay tournaments are open to all firearms enthusiasts looking to have a fun, competitive day of sporting clay excitement. The tournaments vary in format, specialty games, and sponsorship opportunities.
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- July 9, 2021 - Company "E" | Midland, Texas
- July 24, 2021 - Company "C" | Lubbock, Texas
- August 20, 2021 - Company "F" | San Antonio, Texas
- September 24, 2021 - Company "B" | Dallas, Texas
- October 23, 2021 - Company "D" | Edinburg, Texas
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Please click here to register and learn more about an event near you.
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Ranger Uniform Dress Koozies
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Now available in the Gift Shop! Make your backyard bar-b-que, weekend at the lake, and Independence Day celebrations more memorable with these Texas Ranger uniform koozies to hold cold drinks. They make great party favors!
$5.50 + 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 [email protected] 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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