17-03-2025
'Smithsonian in the Gap' highlights history of Buffalo Gap, Big Country
"Smithsonian in the Gap" kicked off Saturday at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village.
For six weeks, the village will host an exhibit on rural America, expanding upon it to highlight rural traditions in the Big Country and through Buffalo Gap in particular.
"The Smithsonian exhibit is about the changes in rural America, and what we're doing here is just making it personal to Taylor County and the surrounding area," said Nathan Lowry, president of the Buffalo Gap Chamber of Commerce which.
The chamber, along with the Texas Historical Commission and the village, brought the exhibit to Buffalo Gap.
Each Saturday will feature a new speaker to set the program and focus for the coming week in the village.
Saturday's featured a humorous reenactment of when the Taylor County seat was "stolen" and switched to Abilene. Later was a presentation on the history of bison hunting by living history presenter Henry Crawford.
On Tuesday morning, the Taylor County Commissioners Court will participate in the exhibit by meeting at 9 a.m. in the village's original Taylor County Courthouse. The commissioners will present a resolution. It's only the second time the body has ever met in the original courthouse building.
For an exhibit calendar, visit the Buffalo Gap Chamber of Commerce website. Saturday's program will highlight the native tribes of the area, followed in later weeks by programs on the topography of the region, ranching history, energy production, and the history of the military in the area.
"It's just a really neat exhibit and opportunity," Lowry said. "We've got great partnerships with folks in the region, admission has been comped, and so essentially, it's free. We're encouraging as many people to come as possible for the whole six weeks."
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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: 'Smithsonian in the Gap' to feature new topic each week in Buffalo Gap
