National Ranching Heritage Center
The National Ranching Heritage Center, located on the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock, Texas, is a unique museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and heritage of ranching in the United States. Established in 1971, the center sits on a 27-acre historical park and features a collection of authentic ranching structures ranging from the 1780s to 1950s.
In 2024, the NRHC announced the location at the center of the forthcoming Red Steagall Institute of Western Art, named for Russell "Red" Steagall, an American actor, musician, poet, and stage performer born in Gainesville, Texas. Steagall focuses on American Western and country music genres. The addition will be an art institute featuring interactive classes and displays for the public to learn about Western culture. The Texas Tech System Board of Regents approved the NRHC's $28 million dollar expansion in May 2024. Jim Bret Campbell, executive director of the NRHC, said that the expansion comes after Steagall and his wife sought a location to donate his collection of Western songs, poetry, and various radio and television recordings of his programs.