National Ranching Heritage Center, Agricultural museum in Lubbock, Texas
The National Ranching Heritage Center is an open-air museum with more than 50 original buildings brought from ranches across Texas and rebuilt on this site. The houses, barns, and workshops show how people lived and worked on ranches from the late 1700s through the 1900s.
The center was founded in 1971 to preserve buildings from ranches operating across different centuries. These structures represent the evolution of ranching life, from early pioneer settlements to more developed operations in the 20th century.
The buildings and objects here tell the story of how ranch families actually lived and worked across different generations. Walking through, you notice how their homes and daily tools reflected the demands of cattle ranching in Texas.
Plan to spend several hours exploring the buildings spread across the grounds, especially if you want to look inside each one carefully. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as you'll be walking outdoors under the sun through a large open-air space.
The museum recently approved plans for a significant expansion that will focus on Western art and interactive displays about frontier life. This addition will offer a fresh way to engage with stories of ranching and settlement in the region.
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