A HERITAGE COMPLEX

At first glance, heritage travelers may miss the robust nature of the Armstrong County Museum. Preserving Armstrong County and Texas Panhandle history is only one of the museum’s many missions. The museum’s core collection of artifacts resides in its main building, one block from the Armstrong County courthouse in downtown Claude. But next door the museum complex continues with the historic 1915 Gem Theater. The restored theater and stage feature live performances by local and touring drama and musical troupes.

Continue down the block and the museum’s art gallery mounts changing exhibitions of local and regional artists. The museum also maintains a gift shop as well as the Lake Center School, restored and furnished as it appeared while serving as the local center of education.

But the museum’s grandest achievement to date is the restoration of the Charles and Mary Ann Dyer Goodnight home. Constructed in the 1880’s, this handsome two-story Plains structure served as the Goodnight’s permanent residence for over thirty years. Today, it provides a home for the Charles Goodnight Historical Center, preserving the legacy of the Panhandle’s ranching legend.