The Farm and Ranch Museum of the Concho Valley is currently in the process of preparing for an opening to the public within the next 6 months. on the northeast side of the Oak Street Bridge in downtown San Angelo. It occupies approximately 1 acre, which includes a historic blacksmith shop. It was built in approximately 1937, but dates back to the 1890’s. The site was inundated in the 1936 flood bu
t the blacksmith shop was rebuilt shortly after that. It contains all the original equipment, which will be restored to be fully functional. On the grounds we will be exhibiting antique restored farm and ranch equipment and tools. We are working with Wall High School in restoration of equipment. We have built 40 x 20 foot long porch demonstration area and are working on a large 40 x 60 foot covered display area. The organization has been formally incorporated and has created a board of directors, bylaws, and is working on executing interpretation programs with emphasis on hands on activities. This will be a living museum. The following mission and goals are being pursued. Our mission is to celebrate and honor the agricultural heritage of the Concho Valley and educate and inform the people of our community and visitors from other regions about the remarkable legacy of one of the world’s greatest agriculture centers. Our goals are:
Create high-quality exhibitions focusing on agricultural machinery, tools and practices used in farming and ranching in our region. Undertake the conservation and restoration of agricultural machinery and tools adhering to the highest standards of the museum community. Develop education activities to be undertaken by trained docents and interpreters who will provide guided tours and live demonstrations of such things as blacksmithing, sheep shearing and other agricultural practices relevant to our local traditions. Develop a strong organization comprised of a governing board of trustees, by-laws, incorporation and non-profit status and employment of a professional administrator. Under the direction of the Administrator create a support organization to recruit volunteers, docents and interpreters. Write a Strategic and Operating Plan for organization to include a budget and methods of generating the necessary resources. The plan will delineate areas of responsibility and an Interpretive Plan and methods of marketing the exhibit and programming activities of the organization.
