Updated: 7/20/2015 
Bayer Museum of Agriculture
Lubbock, Texas
Description
Alton Brazell Exhibit Hall

The Alton Brazell Exhibit Hall contains the museum’s large collection of historic farming artifacts. From restored antique tractors to harvesting equipment, highlights include and interactive Blacksmith Shop, a history of cotton ginning exhibit, and the largest display of pedal tractors in the United States.

Outdoor Exhibts

A real working pivot irrigation system and a historic 1930's farmstead can be found among the tractors and machines showcased in our outdoor exhibits.

Central Exhibit Hall

The Central Exhibit hall features the Crops: Harvesting the Facts exhibit about the major crops grown in the United States, The Cotton Harvesting Experience, and the Bayer Crop Science Exhibit. These exhibits are interactive with a focus on modern agriculture, its science and practices.

Farm Stories

Growing up on a farm is a unique experience. We would like for you to share your comical, fun, inspiring stories of farm life with us. We know that no matter how many signs we put on the walls of the museum; there are millions more stories that could be told. We want to include as many “Voices from the Farm,” as possible, as a part of the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. If you would like to share your story, please use our contact form or email us.

Since the beginning, volunteers have been at the heart of our museum. While we have wonderful exhibits, many visitors will tell you that their interactions with our volunteers is the highlight of their tour. From helping lead school children to restoring equipment and from grant writing to data entry, there is spot for everyone that is willing to donate a few hours of their time and expertise.

Mission

Our mission is to preserve the history of, tell the story of and instill pride in American Agriculture and values.

We are developing a first-class museum facility that teaches our community the importance of agriculture in our every day lives. This is done through a growing list of interactive exhibits where museum visitors can see, hear and experience life on the farm.

History
Formerly the American Museum of Agriculture

On April 13, 2012, the American Museum of Agriculture opened the doors of its new facility, the Alton Brazell Exhibit Hall, at 1121 Canyon Lake Drive. Over forty years ago, a handful of Lubbock civic leaders, including Alton Brazell, recognized the region’s agricultural heritage was slipping away. In 1969, the Lubbock County Commissioners’ Court gave Brazell the authority to begin collecting machinery that was a part of the technical transformation that took place on South Plains’ farms. The tractors, combines, plows, drills and thousands of other farm-related artifacts became a part of the Lubbock County Historical Collection.

In 2001, a non-profit group was organized to assume responsibility of and administration of the Lubbock County Historical Collection and incorporated as the American Museum of Agriculture. In 2003, the museum finalized contract agreements with the City of Lubbock to lease a beautiful 24.87-acre tract on the east side of downtown adjacent to Mackenzie Park. This prime site afforded ample space for expansion and a stunning view of the downtown skyline. The site allows the museum to interpret and showcase its tremendous collection in both outdoor and indoor settings and provides for the development of historic farm structures.

In 2008, the museum finalized contract agreements with the City of Lubbock by meeting and exceeding the City’s goal of raising $1 million toward the building project. The City granted the Museum a 50-year lease on the land with a 49-year option to renew. In 2009, MWM Architects of Lubbock were contracted to develop a master plan, site plan and building plan for the Museum’s new facility. In April of 2011 Lee Lewis Construction broke ground on Phase I of the new facility. Phase II, which includes the main exhibit hall, Plains Cotton Growers Conference Center, a catering kitchen and outdoor patio, was completed in April of 2014. The conference center has been a popular and beautiful venue for local civic groups, conventions, weddings and other gatherings, hosting over 25,000 people since opening.

The museum continues to evolve and serves as a living memorial to the thousands of farm families that were pioneers in agriculture. Lubbock County, The City of Lubbock and the people that live on the South Plains owe a tremendous debt to agriculture. It was primarily agriculture that transformed Lubbock from a tiny ranch trade village to a thriving metropolis of more than 230,000 people. It was agriculture that made Lubbock and the surrounding counties the leading region for cotton production in the nation.

Services
General Store

Our General Store, named after Grace Hurst, will make you feel nostalgic for old time things you remember at you grandmother’s house. From Colonial Tin Works we offer wax warmers in several styles of yesteryear. With wax melt choices like mulled Cider, Fresh Oranges, Vanilla Bean and all the favorite fragrances, to keep you house or business smelling fragrant. We even carry vintage totes, with pockets, to carry your laptop and essentials.

For the farmers in your life, we have John Deere caps in toddler, youth and adult sizes. Several styles are available for children and adults. We offer John Deere toy tractors, combines, coloring books and children’s CDs.

The store offers a wide variety of books from informational, about several brands of tractors to Tractor Mac storybooks for children. Old Time stories and illustrations by Bob Artley, include memories of a Farm Kitchen and several other favorites. Unique cookbooks including one from the original residents of the Ropesville Resettlement Project, make interesting gifts for friends or loved ones. And museum T-shirts, we have plenty of those in all sizes to pick from as well. Stop by and shop for that special gift!

Rentals

The PLAINS COTTON GROWERS CONFERENCE CENTER is available for rental for your special occasion, be it business or personal. You may browse our rental rates by clicking on the link below.

Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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