The Brand (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 21, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 17, 1997 Page: 5 of 8

                                
April 17 1997 The Brand Page 5
Home On The Range
&
Western Heritage lets children see another side of life
By Jake Long
Staff Writer
Once again it's that time of year when thousands of
elementary students throughout Abilene will experience
how the old western frontier really was during Western
Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University.
Approximately 6500 youngsters will arrive on cam-
pus between 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. today to participate
in the festival. Western Heritage Day is an annual event
held at Hardin-Simmons that provides children in the
community with an insight into the west and how it once
was.
"We hope Western Heritage Day gives children an
appreciation for the west through the various activities
they can participate in and observe" said Dr. Paul
Madden professor and head of the department of histo-
ry. "We think the event docs a pretty good job showing
the children just how things used to be."
Children arrive on campus throughout the day with
teachers and gather in front of Anderson Dormitory
where the event takes place. Students then walk around
to different activity booths which include roping brand-
ing story telling and singing. All of this allows each
child to experience different varieties of western culture.
Since a majority of the children have only read or
been taught about the west in the classroom Western
Heritage Day is a unique event in that they can actually
observe the culture for themselves. "So many of them
have only heard stories about our western heritage so it
is exciting for them to witness the activities on a first
hand basis" said Dr. Madden.
According to Dr. Lawrence Clayton dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences "We can give the children
an image of life on the range without them actually
encountering the problems the cowboys experienced.
Since most of the children have a limited view of cow-
boy life Western Heritage Day provides them the oppor-
tunity to experience a taste of their culture."
Other attractions at this year's Western Heritage Day
will be an appearance by the Six White Horses skits per-
formed by students out of the Hardin-Simmons theatre
department and performances by The Cat Claw Creek
Boys a faculty and staff musical group.
Western Heritage Day was first introduced to HSU
in 1981 for the purpose of celebrating the centennial of
Abilene. The first event only involved faculty staff and
students from Hardin-Simmons and was held at that
time in front of the Sid Richardson building. "Our inten-
tions were to feature Cowboy life in the spring to paral-
lel McMurry's annual event in the fall" said Dr. Clayton.
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Tlie following two years marked the beginning of
elementary schools participating in the event. Also
Western Heritage Days location was moved from the
area in front of Sid Richardson to the east side of the
pond.
According to Dr. Clayton a drastic change in the
number of elementary students attending Western
Heritage Day happened in 1984. "There were a couple
thousand students that appeared on the campus for the
event in 1984 as compared to an average showing in the
hundreds during the previous two years" he said.
In recent years between 6000 and 7500 children
have been expected at the Forty Acres during Western
Heritage Day.
"It was a surprise to us when we realized there were
children lined up from the flag pole to Cedar Street" said
Dr. Clayton. "The next year we decided to use both sides
of the pond for the event due to the growing number of
children which allowed them to sec and do more
things."
Although Wcstcra Heritage Day has expanded over
the last 16 years the basic format of the event has
remained the same.
"We have continued to keep the same activities
because they help make the event a success each year"
said Dr. Madden. "An event we hope lasts for quite a
long time."
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Photos courtesy of Media Relations
Top: "Doc" Beaztey watches the children pet
three of the infamous Six White Horses.
Bottom: A youngster learns how to rope a cafe.
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lost 30 lbs in 90 days...
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r ATTN: COWBOY CALLING NETWORK
CUSTOMERS
ALL pins will be terminated on May 12 1997. If you have plans to live
in the DORMS or STUDENT HOUSING while attending May term
Summer session I or II and wish to keep your pin please contact
Sherri Collins ext. 1288 BEFORE MAY 5 1997.
ALL students will have to reapply for long distance in the fall.
Students living in married student housing during summer sessions
may keep pins in the fall only if confirmation has been made with
Sherri by Aug. 1 .
V if there are any questions please call ext. 1288. J