The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) is closed to the public indefinitely due to fire and life safety concerns, following an inspection by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
West Texas A&M University President Walter V. Wendler made the decision to close the facility, located on the WT campus in Canyon, immediately and until further notice after the inspection revealed significant and ongoing safety issues with the museum’s buildings, WT announced Monday.
“We cannot ignore the seriousness of the fire and life safety risks posed by the existing museum buildings,” Wendler said. “Since my arrival, I have been working to find solutions and address the ongoing challenges with the museum. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a workable solution.”
As seen in this September 2024 file photo, WT unveiled a vision to modernize its close to a century old Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon. The university has closed the museum until further notice due to safety concerns.
Chuck Allen, assistant state fire marshal, emphasized that the violations pose serious safety risks and must be addressed promptly.
“We have spoken with President Wendler about the ongoing violations and problems with the existing museum structures,” Allen said. “President Wendler’s decision to close the museum while corrective action is taken aligns with our recommendation.”
WT said some of the fire marshal’s concerns have already been addressed, but others, such as installing sprinklers, eliminating dead-end hallways, and ensuring accessible exits throughout the building, will require substantial funding and renovations.
The museum opened in the 1930s and has since served the WT community and Texas Panhandle and beyond for nearly a century.
Heather Friemel, interim executive director of the Cultural Foundation of the Texas Panhandle (CFTP), which oversees the museum under WT’s umbrella, expressed the museum staff’s commitment to resolving immediate issues.
“The museum staff has worked diligently to address immediately solvable issues,” Friemel said.
Renovations required to meet fire and safety standards are estimated to cost nearly $100 million. WT officials hired an engineering firm to present solutions to the identified safety concerns.
While the building remains closed, Friemel emphasized that the museum’s educational mission will continue, with the museum’s outreach programs, including a portable planetarium and educational trunks for K-12 students, remaining in place.
Wendler, who has been addressing the museum’s challenges since his appointment in 2016, has worked to secure additional state funding. Recently, he obtained funds from Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp for a feasibility study to explore the construction of a new museum building, with the projected cost reaching $150 million.
As previously reported, the study, conducted by DLR Group and Gallagher & Associates, identified critical areas for improvement in fire safety, artifact preservation, and the visitor experience. The plan proposed maintaining Pioneer Hall — a registered landmark with the Texas Historical Commission — while demolishing other existing structures and constructing two new buildings connected by a glass bridge.
“The safety of our visitors, staff, and collections is our top priority,” Wendler said. “I will continue to work with stakeholders to preserve this essential Texas treasure.”
The museum, which has been showcasing the history of Texas since 1932, houses more than 2 million artifacts and is a key educational resource for the region.
Mark Bivins, chair of the CFTP, reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the museum.
“President Wendler and I will continue to raise awareness and appeal for support to preserve Texas’ largest historical collection,” Bivins said.
The museum’s last major renovation occurred in 1983.
This is a developing story; more information will be added as it becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: PPHM closed until further notice for fire marshal’s safety concerns
