Photo credit: DeeLaine Ruiz, Hockley County NewsPress
May is Historic Preservation month for Texas Main Street and the mission of The Wallace is “Creating Experiences that Entertain, Inspire, and Empower!”
Last week 100 2nd grade students, teachers, and parents from Capitol Elementary had a field trip to Downtown Levelland coordinated by The Wallace Theater.
We entertained them, we inspired them to love the history of their community, and empowered them to be great citizens!
Students enjoyed learning about the history of downtown business, past present, and future. During the tour, they practiced geography and directional skills and received special treats and tours from many businesses including Studebaker Events, Higginbotham-Bartlettt Co., Fire Angel Photography, Adamas School of Dance, Paw and Order, Malouf's, Mosaic Coffee Co, and The Hockley County Library and more!
Harmonica Legend!
Lonnie Joe Howell co-owner of Texas Music Supply played his harmonica for the students.
I Voted!
Students heard from elections administrator Jody Rose and even participated in their own election for cartoon characters Sponge Bob and Mr. Krabs.
They learned about vehicle registration and how to get your license plates at the Hockley County Tax Office. They heard from elections administrator Jody Rose and even participated in their own election for cartoon characters Sponge Bob and Mr. Krabs.
They Had A Polar Bear in There!
Wallace and MainStreet Volunteer Iris Keeling told students about the history of what is now the Stache. Ray and Georgia Watson bought the building in 1926. They started “Watson’s Dry Goods Store” and eventually a sporting goods store where Mr. Watson’s extensive collection of big game trophies was displayed. The polar bear has now been gifted to the Museum of Texas Tech University.
The students had lunch and played on the Courthouse lawn.
Artists John and Bette Hope showed them the mosaics and talked about how they are created and preserved.
The days concluded with a tour of the post office and students mailed postcards to themselves with details about their memories of the activities.
Tours were led by MainStreet Manager and Wallace Theater Board President Tania Moody and Wallace and MainStreet Volunteer Iris Keeling.
The Wallace would like to extend a special thank you to Studebaker Events who hosted the students in their venue for part of the trip due to ongoing renovations at the Wallace. They went above and beyond and we know the students will always have fond memories of “The Party Place”. Thank you Tania Moody and Levelland Main Street for helping curate this event. Thank you to each of the Downtown Businesses who helped make this such a wonderful trip for the students. Their postcards below say it all!
“Eating on the Courthouse Lawn” “We went to the Wallace” “The Tools” “Today I loved to vote”
Doing “The Hoke Poke” at Studebakers, Meeting the “Librarian”