Groundbreaking held for new home of Cattle Raisers Museum in Ft. Worth

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Nov. 27 for the new Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, which will house the Cattle Raisers Museum. The $60-million, 135,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art facility, in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District is expected to open in the fall of 2009.

The Cattle Raisers Museum, which had been located on the first floor of TSCRA's Fort Worth headquarters building, closed after the stock show last February. Since 1981, the museum had served as an educational institution, teaching thousands of visitors the importance and significance of the rich ranching heritage in Texas and the Southwest. Its new location in a wing of the Museum of Science and History will expand its audience to visitors of world class museums in Fort Worth's Cultural District and the adjacent stock show grounds.

Around 200 government officials, business leaders and museum friends were on hand to celebrate this milestone in the realization of the new Museum of Science and History. Speakers included U.S. Rep. Kay Granger; Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief; and Van Romans, president, and Bob Lansford, chairman, of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Also present was building architect Ricardo Legorreta of the highly acclaimed international architectural firm of Legorreta+Legorreta based in Mexico City.

Well wishers included several leaders and members of TSCRA and TSCR Foundation, including TSCRA President Jon Means, TSCR Foundation President Brad Barnes, past TSCRA President and TSCR Foundation Trustee John Dudley, TSCR Foundation Trustee Bart Wulff and TSCRA Executive Vice President Eldon White.