I am proud to announce on #GoodNewsFriday the anticipated re-opening of Stamford's downtown museum!
The Cowboy Country Museum was closed in the summer of 2018 due to the presence of mold in the building. After a thorough abatement and environmental inspection, the facility was approved to re-open. City leaders began to transition the Museum's board from a mere "advisory" panel to a board appointed by the City Council, vested with the authority to create a financially sustainable, educational facility showcasing our local heritage. Immediately after the City took that step, a worldwide pandemic hit and museums across Texas were closed. Our plans were put on hold, but after several months of planning, the wait is now over.
The Museum will re-open just in time for Stamford's homecoming weekend! It will open to the public at 113 South Wetherbee (east side of the square) beginning on Friday, September 3rd and will initially be open each Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Appointments are available for out of town visitors.
We are very excited for this re-opening and for more news to come as the Museum's revised mission takes shape. We are enthused to announce that Jewellee Kuenstler will serve the dual role as president of the Museum Board and as our executive director! She will be assisted by the other members of the Museum Board: Karen Garcia, Barbara Billington, John Ekdahl, Craig Gilbert, Kelly Williamson, with myself as City of Stamford representative. The Museum Board will establish a foundation to pursue grants and receive tax-deductible donations from the public to sustain the Museum and grow its programming. If you would like to volunteer, contribute, or otherwise participate in the future success of the Museum, please contact Jewellee, myself, or another board member.
As we move forward, Jewellee and the Board have big plans for events and educational programs to tell the story of Stamford, its western heritage, and its people in a manner unlike anything you've seen before!
“Good News Friday” is a weekly feature spotlighting positive news and activities in the #StamfordTexas community as a part of our quest to build a #BetterStamford.
I would love to put one of my paintings in the Museum.