Latest news with #MuseumofNorthTexasHistory
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Museum in downtown Wichita Falls celebrates 25th anniversary
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)— A local museum is celebrating 25 years of telling the stories of the Wichita Falls area. Since 2000, the Museum of North Texas History has told stories of Wichita Falls' past. Though he's only been around for less than a year of the museum's extensive history, executive director Jeremy Davis feels he's built a special connection to the city and its history. 'I'm a huge history nerd, so for me, this is one of the highlights of my hob, is learning the different figures, the different people, the different events that have happened throughout this community's past,' Davis said.' The museum got its start with a select few founders, and among them, was Byrle Graham. As one of the museum's founders and long-time board members, he has seen it grow from humble beginnings to still-growing present. At the museum's anniversary celebration, he was honored as a board member emeritus for his dedicated work to the museum's mission. 'It's interesting. I'm kind of proud of myself and proud to help the county, you know, and to be a part of it and part of the archives, and I mean, the museum,' Graham said. Mayor Tim Short declared the day, Museum of North Texas History Day, honoring all the museum has done. After 25 years, the community continues to stay involved with the museum, bringing new pieces to the museum. 'Ribbons, medals all of those things,' Davis said. 'And they're like this is all we know about this, what can you tell us? And we were able to dive in and tell them about their family member and then also incorporate that into the collection.' Among the museum's most well-known displays is the Nat's Hats collection. Cowboy hats from all over Texoma line the museum walls. For Graham though, it's the new pieces that excite him the most. 'Every time I come in, I like to see some difference still,' Graham said. 'It's all changed, making changes, you know. The ones who are doing it now are doing a very good job.' The Museum of North Texas History hopes to continue educating Wichitans on their past so they can better prepare for their future. The museum will continue celebrating its 25th anniversary, and on Thursday, March 21st, all museum admissions will be free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita County could soon add hotel tax to boost economic development
AUSTIN (KFDX/KJTL) — Wichita County could soon have its own Hotel Occupancy Tax after Representative James Frank filed a bill to push economic development in the area. As the deadline to file bills this legislative session nears, Frank filed House Bill 3567 on February 28. According to Frank's weekly newsletter update and the bill's text, it would allow the Wichita County Commissioners to establish an H.O.T. of up to two percent until 2030. The text defines what the revenue raised from the tax could fund, such as: Supporting local events such as Hotter'N Hell Hundred and T.H.O.R. Construction of an amphitheater, park, or other similar public space to promote arts Provide grants to art and cultural organizations to develop, promote, and attract visitors Funding for the Museum of North Texas History Hiring staff to manage the funds The bill could go into effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of House members to support the bill. Read the full text below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chamber of Commerce leading the charge for updated city Wikipedia page
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — After a recent city council meeting, new attention is being directed toward updating the city of Wichita Falls's Wikipedia page. Wikipedia is one of the most commonly used sites for general information. People, places and things all have their own Wikipedia pages, but many have varying degrees of quality. Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Kitchens thinks Wichita Falls's Wikipedia page needs an update. 'It talks lots about us almost getting wiped out in 1979 by a tornado, but I'm not sure that's our brand today, and that's what we want to lead with,' Kitchens said. A quick scan of the city's page shows a brief overview of the city's history, employers and demographics. Not much, however, is dedicated to important figures of the city's past, present or future. NFL player returns home to help clean up eastside Wichita Falls Jeremy Davis, executive director of the Museum of North Texas History, says Wichita Falls has much more history than the current Wikipedia page lets on. 'Most people are, you know, 'Okay, well, there's where the college is, there's where the Air Force base is. Oh, that little skyscraper,'' Davis said. 'There's so much more to this community, and there's so much more history than just a little skyscraper.' Wikipedia does have its pitfalls as a platform. As a crowd-sourced encyclopedia, people must be careful when using it for research, as anyone can get on the page and edit its contents. However, according to Davis, Wikipedia's broad impact provides an excellent opportunity to paint the city in a new light. 'We should probably lean into it hard as a community and say, hey, this is an important front door, because when it comes down to it, that's a lot of the information that people are going to get when they're first looking to go somewhere,' Davis said. If Wichitans decide to take Kitchens' charge, taking new ownership of the city's history could improve the online footprint of Wichita Falls. 'We're on there, and we're willing to tell the true stories, the braggy stories about us,' Kitchens said. 'You're going to see people look at the community and go, 'You know, I'd like to visit there.'' Down the line, maybe more people can see a more inviting welcome mat for Wichita Falls on the internet's front door. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
