78S30844 MMS-D

By:  Hughes                                                       H.R. No. 290



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum in 
Pittsburg is rendering exceptional public service through its 
programs to preserve and interpret the natural, historical, and 
artistic heritage of the region; and
	WHEREAS, Established in 1991 by the Pittsburg/Camp County 
Museum Association, the museum is housed in the city's former 
Cotton Belt Railroad depot; the transformation from depot to museum 
has been so successfully accomplished that the complex has been 
named one of five state finalists for the Texas Downtown 
Association's Best Adaptive Reuse Award; and
	WHEREAS, On view at the museum are exhibits chronicling the 
first 10,000 years of settlement in Northeast Texas, a railroad 
exhibit with a working, restored telegraph station, and displays 
highlighting famous individuals; exhibits related to the region's 
economy include extensive treatment of the area's farming, 
ranching, timber industry, and poultry production; in addition, the 
museum's Farmstead offers visitors an opportunity to explore the 
100-year-old house, barn, and smokehouse from Charlie Hoffman's 
Camp County farm and observe demonstrations that evoke the life and 
work of our rural ancestors; and
	WHEREAS, In 2002 the museum unveiled its most unusual 
exhibit, a replica of the Reverend Burrell Cannon's Ezekiel 
Airship; the original craft, inspired by a biblical account of 
flying creatures, was built by Reverend Cannon in Pittsburg and was 
flown in the community in 1902, 18 months before the Wright brothers 
made their first flight at Kitty Hawk; recent accounts of Reverend 
Burrell's pioneering effort have appeared on CNN, on Paul Harvey's 
radio program, and in Texas Monthly; and
	WHEREAS, Through the exceptional vision and dedication of 
Michelle Stegman, the museum's director, and all the citizens who 
have made this institution possible, the Northeast Texas Rural 
Heritage Museum is playing a vital role in conserving the history 
and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor the Northeast Texas 
Rural Heritage Museum for its outstanding contributions to 
preserving the rich and colorful story of Texas and extend to all 
those associated with the museum sincere best wishes for continued 
success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum as an 
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.