Celebrate Quanah Parker with fundraiser, new exhibit in Panhandle on Sept. 16

The Carson County Square House Museum, located in Panhandle, Texas, invites surrounding communities to celebrate its annual fundraiser and unveiling of a new Quanah Parker exhibit, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept 16.

This event is an annual fundraiser held by the museum; however, this year, as a part of its 58th annual year, the fundraiser has grown to include community partnerships centered around the unveiling of the museum's new permanent exhibit including artifacts of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. that day in the Carson County Square House Museum Hazelwood Building Gallery, located at 503 Elsie St. in Panhandle, the museum will host the unveiling of the new exhibit.

The ribbon cutting ceremonies will also include a speech from Quanah Parker's descendants, Nancy Parker Boles and her daughter, Lesley Pike, Parker's great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter, respectively. Amarillo's King Hill, whose father Jack Hill created the bronze statue headpiece of the Comanche Chief that will be on display in the exhibit, will also share a few words about the momentous occasion and new exhibit.

In addition to the bronze statue, some exhibit pieces include a photo of the granddaughter of the chief, a buffalo skull, a Comanche bow and arrows, two statues of the famed chief and more.

"Their heritage needs to be continued, needs to be told, and needs to be shared," Hill said. "And that is one of the reasons I keep making these donations for this exhibit and Panhandle. I think the Carson County Square House Museum is one of the finest museums around, and like the old saying, 'it's one of the best kept secrets', but it's one that needs to be told and shared along with the stories and pieces of history it holds."

Hill said that his father had gained the recognition for creating the statue in an exact likeness of Parker and was made the official artist to create pieces representing the individual and elements of the tribe. In addition to the upcoming unveiling of the headpiece, a statue of Quanah Parker can also be viewed on the second floor of the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, as well as another piece created by Jack Hill of Parker located at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon and many other pieces located throughout the nation.

The unveiling will be held after the second Saturday in September, which is recognized by the state as Quanah Parker Day. In addition to the significance of the month, this year is the 150th anniversary of the Red River War, which Parker led as a chief in battle to fight the Confederate Army for the land.

Prior to the unveiling, the public is invited to enjoy all the community of Panhandle has to offer with a series of events.

"This year, the town has joined us, and we invite the community to come to Panhandle for the day. We are going to close off part of Main Street. ... We will have the alumni tea, and people can shop from over 30 vendors offering a variety of goods and unique items on Main Street, then our BBQ lunch and the unveiling," Shirlyne Granthan, director of the Carson County Square House Museum, said.

Beginning at 9 a.m., attendees are welcome to join the Alumni Tea in the Carson County Public Library, located at 401 Main St. in Panhandle. The tea is open for all community members to enjoy. Granthan stresses that although it is called an Alumni Tea, attendees are not required to have gone to Panhandle High School to attend the tea.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the museum will host its fundraiser BBQ lunch at the Carson County Ag Barn, located at 814 East 3rd St. Donations will be accepted as admission to enjoy the home-cooked lunch. The lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or while supplies last.

"We do cook our own meat, and this will be some of the best barbeque you have probably every had. While out there, we also have our Country Store, which people from the whole county travel to get some of those specialty items including our cakes," Granthan said.

Following lunch and the grand reveal, attendees are welcome to explore the museum and take part in the banquet until festivities come to an end around 4 p.m.

For more information or to make a donation to the museum reach out on Facebook or call them at (806) 537-3524.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Museum celebrates Quanah Parker with unveiling, annual fundraiser