For nearly a century, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) has stood as one of the most important cultural institutions in Texas. Founded in the 1930s, the museum has grown into the largest history museum in the state, housing more than two million artifacts that document the heritage of the Texas Panhandle and the broader region. From Native American history and pioneer life to fine art, geology, energy, and agriculture, the collection tells a story that spans generations.
Today, that story faces an uncertain future.
The museum has remained closed since March, after a fire marshal report cited serious life-safety violations in parts of the building. West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) President Walter Wendler made the decision to close the museum, citing danger to the public. While no one disputes the importance of public safety, the closure has sparked concern, frustration, and a growing public conversation about how the museum fell into this position and what it will take to reopen it.
What follows is a closer look at how the museum reached this point, what challenges it now faces, and what options are being discussed to preserve the collection and ensure a sustainable future.
A Museum Built Over Time — and Built in Pieces
PPHM did not begin as the sprawling complex it is today. Like many long-standing institutions, it expanded gradually in response to growth, opportunity, and available funding.
By 1936, just a few years after its founding, the influx of artifacts made it necessary to add onto the original structure. The basement of the second addition was funded by a grant from the Texas Centennial Commission, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) agency, officially making PPHM a Texas Centennial museum.
As the collection continued to grow, the museum expanded again. In 1967, with the help of additional state funds and private contributions, a four-story addition doubled the museum’s size. This expansion created space for the Research Center, art galleries, Pioneer Town, and special exhibit areas. In 1973, West Texas State University donated its former library building on adjacent land, providing much-needed storage, support space, and three additional galleries.
A final major expansion came in 1986, when a $6 million grant from the Don and Sybil B. Harrington Foundation funded a 75,000-square-foot structure connecting the existing museum to the former university library.
While these expansions allowed PPHM to grow into a world-class museum, they also resulted in a complex of buildings constructed across different eras, under different building codes, and with different long-term maintenance needs. According to state officials and university leadership, some of those additions are now at the center of the museum’s current safety challenges.
Safety Concerns and the Closure Decision
Texas Rep. John Smithee, whose district includes Canyon, has spoken publicly about the condition of the buildings. He said that while Pioneer Hall is considered structurally solid, other portions of the complex present significant challenges.
According to Smithee, architects and university officials have indicated that the former library portion of the building has outlived its useful life and may need to be demolished. He also noted that while the Harrington wing is the newest section, it poses substantial safety issues.
President Wendler echoed that assessment, stating that Pioneer Hall will remain and that some portions of the museum may be salvageable. However, he said other parts cannot be saved. He explained that even exploring the possibility of gutting the old library and rebuilding the interior for artifact storage was deemed unworkable by architects.
Mark White, a trustee with the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society (PPHS) board, said the closure ultimately came down to evolving fire codes and years of deferred maintenance.
He explained that while the building had been regularly inspected and minor fixes made over time, fire codes have become stricter. Without a major overhaul, the issues continued to accumulate. According to White, the building eventually reached a point where it could no longer be considered safe, and the fire marshal’s decision was correct.
The Cost of Reopening — and Moving the Collection
One of the biggest obstacles to reopening PPHM is cost. Rep. Smithee has said that, as a practical matter, reopening the museum could require between $20 million and $40 million. That figure could involve a combination of public and private funding.
Beyond renovations, there is the issue of the collection itself. Any significant renovation would require removing the artifacts from the building and placing them in a secure, climate-controlled environment. Smithee emphasized that this process alone would be very expensive.
White said that, for now, the artifacts have been moved to safe areas within the building, and he expressed confidence in their current condition. At the same time, the board is developing a plan to relocate the collection to an appropriate storage facility, acknowledging that moving millions of artifacts will be a major logistical and financial undertaking.
A Complicated Funding History
The museum’s challenges cannot be separated from its funding history.
In 1987, during a special session of the Texas Legislature, Governor Bill Clements vetoed the second year of funding for museums affiliated with Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and West Texas A&M University, which includes PPHM. The following legislature placed funding for these museums into special item listings within university appropriations.
Rep. Smithee described that moment as signaling a new era in the state’s relationship with university-affiliated museums. Over the past several decades, the legislature has moved away from special item funding in an effort to create more equitable funding across universities. Ironically, Smithee said, a system designed to protect smaller universities like WTAMU has made it harder to fund the museum.
Today, only two museums in Texas remain affiliated with universities: PPHM at WTAMU and the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech.
Smithee said the legislature has largely stepped away from the museum business over the years, which he believes is unfortunate. Still, he noted that there is broad awareness at the Capitol of the value of the PPHM collection and its importance to Texas history.
Financial Pressure on the University
President Wendler has been clear that the museum places a significant financial burden on the university. In a December 2025 statement, he said WTAMU currently spends about $99,347.87 per month from its general budget to support the museum, amounting to roughly $128.79 per student in 2024. Since 2018, the state has provided an additional $22,211.42 per month.
Wendler argued that these funds could otherwise be used for scholarships, library resources, or reducing deferred maintenance across campus. He also emphasized the need for two durable funding streams: one to address immediate safety and renovation needs, and another providing approximately $100,000 per month for ongoing operations and proper building management.
Local and State Options on the Table
Local leaders in Canyon have expressed interest in being part of the solution. Mayor Gary Hinders said the city has explored potential funding mechanisms, including the hotel occupancy tax (HOT), which must be used to promote tourism and related activities under Texas law.
Eligible uses include historical preservation projects and promoting tourism to museums. Canyon’s local hotel occupancy tax rate is currently 7 percent, the maximum allowed for most cities without special authorization.
At the state level, Rep. Smithee introduced House Bill 5554 during the 89th Legislature, which would have allowed the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to take over operation and management of PPHM. The bill was filed at the request of both the Texas A&M System and the THC, but ultimately did not advance due to the complexity of the arrangement.
Smithee said that idea is not necessarily dead. He noted that the THC is aware of the situation, has a strong interest in preserving the collection, and does not want it to disappear from public view. However, like all state agencies, the commission depends entirely on legislative appropriations.
Attendance and Long-Term Viability
Another concern raised by state leaders is museum attendance. Smithee described PPHM as underutilized relative to the size and quality of its collection.
Attendance figures show a decline in recent years. According to annual reports, the museum recorded 44,826 admissions in 2022–2023, 52,507 in 2023–2024, and 24,242 in 2024–2025 before closing. Smithee compared those numbers to major tourist destinations like The Alamo, suggesting that increasing visitation would be critical to long-term sustainability.
President Wendler has proposed what he calls a “modest plan” for the museum’s future. That plan would focus first on restoring Pioneer Hall, then addressing the mid-1960s building at the rear of the complex, and using connectors rather than attempting to renovate the entire 275,000-square-foot facility. He has said the museum is simply too large for its catchment area and that downsizing may be necessary.
Community Response and Next Steps
Throughout the closure, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society and the museum have used social media to provide updates and acknowledge public concern. In a recent statement, the Society emphasized that preserving the collection remains its top priority and that board members have been meeting regularly to explore partnerships, funding options, and expert guidance.
They acknowledged the community’s frustration while stressing that careful planning and legal responsibilities require time. The Society reiterated its commitment to protecting the collection and eventually reopening the museum for the people of the Panhandle.
Rep. Smithee said the appropriations process begins in the summer, making the next several months critical. He emphasized the need for a clear, well-developed plan to present to lawmakers in Austin, noting that delays reduce the chances of securing meaningful funding.
Despite the challenges, Smithee said he remains optimistic that avenues still exist to keep PPHM in Canyon, potentially with modifications, downsizing, or changes in management structure.
For now, the museum remains closed, its future undecided. What is clear is that saving the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum will require coordination between the university, the state, local governments, private donors, and the community it has served for nearly 90 years. The outcome will shape not only the fate of a building, but the preservation of a regional history that belongs to all Texans.
