February 27, 2008
DOSS HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER CELEBRATES GIFT FROM TXU FOR ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
WEATHERFORD, TX – The Doss Heritage and Culture Center held a reception to celebrate a $25,000 gift for its educational programs from TXU. Board members of the Doss Center and Civic Development were on hand along with officials from TXU and State Representative Phil King.
"Preserving the history of all of the communities that we serve is important to us. TXU Energy is pleased to help foster that sense of history. This gift to the Doss Heritage and Culture Center will ensure that the stories of Parker County will continue to come alive for kids of all ages," said Kelli Rod, Vice President Community Relations with TXU.
"As a lifelong educator, I am so thankful for good corporate citizens like TXU who give back to the communities that they serve. Dynamic teaching takes funds, and with good partners we can make the stories, people and places of Parker County's past resonate with our young visitors," said Barbara McGregor, Co-Chair of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center's Education Committee.
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2006 and has hosted a series of historical seminars and talks, exhibits and other public events. The James and Dorothy Doss Heritage and Culture Center aims to improve the quality of life by becoming a dynamic institution for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Parker County through the exhibition of artifacts of historical value and the development of programs that cultivate community awareness and pride in our diverse heritage past, present and future. The Doss Heritage and Culture Center (DHCC) is located at 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford. For more information, contact DHCC by phone at 817-599-6168 or on the web at www.dosscenter.org.
PHOTO attached: from l to r – Dale Fleeger, Board President DHCC, Gene Jernigan, TXU consultant, Dorothy Doss, DHCC Board Member, Rep. Phil King, Kelli Rod, VP of Community Relations TXU, John Scovil, Executive Director DHCC.
November 15, 2007
Doss Gala planned for December 1.
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center (DHCC) along with Neiman Marcus, Fort Worth is hosting its first ever fundraising gala, “Tying our Past to Our Future,” on Saturday, December 1. One of
the highlights will be local artists sharing their talents and treasures with guests. Money raised from the auction held during the gala will be used for facility endowments and for funds to complete the historical gallery. Two exhibits, Early Settlers and American Indians, will be previewed exclusively by those attending the gala. Ticket sales are brisk and for more information on the gala call 817-599-6182.
Some of Weatherford¹s finest artists will be either showing their art, creating art on site or donating pieces for the auction. Some of these include: Jan Bateman, a successful commercial artist and fashion illustrator for 25 years, has been honored by the Pastel Society of America and was commissioned to paint a six-foot by four-foot painting for the Northwestern Memorial Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Marsha McDonald, who for thirty years has created paintings in many different mediums, has touched the hearts of animal lovers with her pastels, watercolors, oil or graphite works of art. Her artwork has been highly publicized and is in private and corporation collections both in the U.S. and abroad. Mary Hicks is a lifelong artist whose oils, watercolors, pastels and even photographs capture her skill with light and shadow. She is a member of Oil Painters of America and the Portrait Society of America. She uses many different mediums but prefers oils. Leea K. Arnold, DVM is an artist, sculptor and jewelry maker, as well as a Weatherford veterinarian specializing in equine reproduction and embryo transfers. Her bronze sculptures of horses capture the beauty and grace of some her favorite patients. The last couple of years, she has become interested in jewelry making. She has been making jewelry and studying wax carving and metalsmithing. Paul Cameron Smith, a full time artist for two decades, has released over 50 prints of his pencil sketches and has begun oil painting full time from his home studio in Weatherford. His work is being shown at galleries and shows across the country. Other artists that are participating at the gala include; Jan Barboglio, Jim Friddle, Connie Carlisle, Buck Taylor, John Holt Smith, Kelly Graham, Kerry Kelley, Ronald Thomason, Debbie Sossamon, Red Steagall and Tom Hines.
“We¹re so pleased to show these incredible artist¹s work at this Inaugural Event,” said Gala Chair Nan Kingsley, a DHCC¹s board of directors member. “Almost all of them will be demonstrating their talents. Connie Carlisle is a potter and will have her potter's wheel there to show how she works. Jim Friddle, a wood chipper, will be whittling and showcasing his amazing art. Red Steagall, Texas Poet Laureate, will be there to recite ‘Born to this Land’ one of his poems and an autographed, framed copy of that poem will be auctioned. A
beautiful painting of the courthouse by Paul Cameron Smith will also be available. All of the artists will have pieces for sale.” “What a wonderful night our patrons will have to meet and experience the artists.” said Ann Saunders, Chairman of the DHCC Board of Directors. “We will have every art medium onsite at once from saddle and boot making to sculpting, sketching, and metal work." The critically acclaimed Jon Bonnell will be catering and at the event and Danny Wright one of instrumental music's finest performers will provide entertainment.
October 16, 2007
Educational Opportunities for 2007-2008
The James and Dorothy Doss Heritage and Culture Center will be offering a series of educational opportunities to area schools and organizations that can enhance the learning experiences of students as well as adults.
Programs can be adapted to all ages and locations, complete with traveling trunks for hands on experiences, and scheduled on site at the Doss or on any location of choice.
Selection of topics are available for booking through our events office.
- Life on the Frontier
- Texas History
- Texas History in Song and Story*Western History in Song and Story*
- Mothers of Texas*
- Gone to Texas
- Indian Studies/Culture
- The Alamo
- Preparing for the TEKS – various levels of composition involving descriptive writing, compare and contrast, and expository workshops. Workshops can be adjusted to fit a specified area of curriculum
Presenters are master teachers and professionals. Check out Judy James - singer, song writer, performer and radio host - on her own website www.judyjames.com.
If you are interested in booking, please call Kay Huse, marketing and events coordinator at the Center, 817-599-6163 and ask for a contract and preliminary date. All pre-booking information will be mailed to you on a CD, including costs, contracts, etc. Another post-booking CD will be sent that contains instructions, pre/post activity sheets, etc.
In addition, the Center has registered to become a provider of Continuing Professional Education for the benefit and convenience of area teachers. Watch for future announcements of educational workshops to be offered through 2008.
May 10, 2007
WHEN DOUGLAS CHANDOR WAS IN THE GARDEN,” SUNDAY LECTURE AT THE DOSS HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER IN WEATHERFORD
WEATHERFORD, TX – Beginning on May 20th, The Doss Heritage and Culture Center (DHCC) will host “Sundays at the Doss,” a series of quarterly cultural and historical lectures and events in its Heritage Hall area. The first is entitled, “When Douglas Chandor was in the Garden,” given by Dr. Harold Lawrence, noted author and expert on the life of English portraitist Douglas Chandor and his wife Ina Kuteman of Weatherford. The lecture begins at 2 p.m. where Dr. Lawrence will share excerpts from his book along with photos of the couple at their home beginning in 1936. Following the lecture and light refreshments, Lawrence will autograph his book, Douglas Chandor an English Artist and His Texas Garden, from the DHCC gift shop. There is no cost to attend the lecture. After the event at the Doss Center, attendees are invited to tour Douglas’ garden, now known as Chandor Gardens, which belongs to the City of Weatherford. “We’re so pleased about bringing this first lecture to our facility. We look forward to both culture and heritage during these ‘Sundays at the Doss’ events. From art to archaeology and history to heroes we should have something for everyone to enjoy in the coming months,” said Dr. Barbara McGregor, chair of The Doss Center’s Education Committee.
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is located at 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford. Chandor Gardens is located a short drive away at 711 W. Lee Avenue. Admittance charge to the gardens is $5 per person, however those attending the lecture will receive a $1 per ticket discount for admittance.
“Douglas never referred to his creation as grounds or an estate or landscaping, it was always as a garden, something that was very personal to him,” said Dr. Lawrence.
Chandor Gardens, once known as White Shadows, is described as one of the most enchanting gardens in the United States. Douglas Chandor devoted 16 years to creating his hilltop oasis, and it remains a showcase of his vision, passion and skillful artistry. After Douglas died suddenly in 1953, his wife carried on his dream by sharing the gardens with the public until 1974, boasting 50,000 visitors annually. After Ina Chandor’s death in 1978, the gardens were left unattended until the mid-1990s when they were restored by Chuck and Melody Bradford. To view images of the garden and learn more about the Chandors, visit the website at www.chandorgardens.com.
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2006 and has hosted a series of historical seminars and talks, exhibits and other public events. The James and Dorothy Doss Heritage and Culture Center aims to improve the quality of life by becoming a dynamic institution for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Parker County through the exhibition of artifacts of historical value and the development of programs that cultivate community awareness and pride in our diverse heritage past, present and future. The Doss Heritage and Culture Center (DHCC) is located at 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford. For more information, contact DHCC by phone at 817-599-6168 or on the web at www.dosscenter.org. The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is opened weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Museum of the Americas presents the colorful and diverse heritage of native peoples of the Americas through a representative collection of late 19th and 20th century artifacts, crafts and folk art. The goal of the Museum of the Americas is to nurture understanding of and appreciation for diverse peoples, their history, the beauty they create, and their struggles to survive and preserve their culture when adapting to a changing and often harsh world. The Museum of the Americas is a private and self supporting enterprise belonging to Dr. Harold and Elizabeth Lawrence and is located at 216 Fort Worth Highway in Weatherford. It is opened Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information www.museumoftheamericas.com.
April 3, 2007
DOSS HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER BEGINS PROCESS TO TELL THE HISTORY OF PARKER COUNTY 
WEATHERFORD, TX -- Board members were on hand to welcome the professionals from Museum Arts as they begin their work in the historical gallery inside the Doss Heritage and Culture Center. The largest of the three galleries, the historical gallery will tell the story of Parker County from the early American Indians to current day. The first phase, at a cost of $500,000, will cover the American Indians and the Early Settlers portion of the exhibit.
“We chose Museum Arts as our partner because they understood our story and our desire to portray the work ethic and values of the people who came to Parker County and made it their home. They also believed in the necessity to employ the educational concepts critical in making a trip through the gallery a real learning experience. They were excited and enthusiastic about our purpose and our mission,” said Ann Saunders, President of the Board of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center. “We hope that when this first phase is finished in the fall of this year, that we will have funding enough to keep them working.” Donations continue to be accepted in the form of gifts, memberships and patrons can even buy a brick with their name on it around the windmill plaza in front of the museum.
Estimated costs for the historical gallery are over $2 million. It will be a walk through full sensory experience for visitors and include a small theater. The technology is in place to augment the visual images and artifacts with sound. Board members will be working closely with the consultants to come up with the “big idea” for each section of the gallery. According to Larry Brown from Museum Arts, “The big idea is how we put it down on paper, it communicates to the design team what we want the visitor to remember from each section.”
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2006 and has hosted a series of public events since that time including historical seminars and talks, exhibits and other events. The James and Dorothy Doss Heritage and Culture Center aims to improve the quality of life by becoming a dynamic institution for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Parker County through the exhibition of artifacts of historical value and the development of programs that cultivate community awareness and pride in our diverse heritage past, present and future. The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is located at 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford.
June 14, 2006
WINDMILL SET IN PLACE AT THE DOSS HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER
Weatherford , TX – With the 38’ windmill in place, a milestone was reached at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center on Monday, June 12. The head has a 10’ wheel and is a model 702, which was in use between 1933 and 1978. The windmill’s head is old, but the tower is new. It was built by C.M. Justice of Sunset Texas, in a historically accurate manner with the inclusion of sway in the legs. It makes the tower more rigid and according to the contractor, Mark Welch of the Second Wind Windmill Service, “sway gives the legs a more graceful look. If you look at the legs of great towers, like the Eiffel Tower, the legs aren’t straight. They are curved to give the tower more stability.”
Part of the windmill head’s mounting came from here in Weatherford. It carries the logo of Carter Ivy Hardware. “When we saw the windmill head with Carter Ivy written on it was like coming home for us. We were so glad that part of it was from Weatherford.
Since the windmill has evolved into our logo, we feel like the pioneers did in the last century. A windmill then was a sign of progress on the prairie. This one points to our progress and signals that good things are to come at the Doss Center,” said Ann Saunders, President of the Board of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center.
The James and Dorothy Doss Heritage and Culture Center aims to improve the quality of life by becoming a dynamic institution for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Parker County through the exhibition of artifacts of historical value and the development of programs that cultivate community awareness and pride in our diverse heritage past, present and future.
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