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One of the very first items accepted into the Clothing &
Textiles Collection was a black woolen blanket with a bright
red border. It was presented to Eking Y. Freehand, first
football coach of the then the Texas Technological College.
by the Museum in 1937, along Collected with five other items
(a apron, a bonnet, and two pairs walking cane, an of socks),
these six formed the foundation of the items not only collection,
but also the range of objects collected provided a glimpse at
over the coming years.
To date, the collection has over 100,000 items, including
costumes and accessories, household textiles, and related artifacts
dating from approximately the mid-1800s to the present.
It documents the true Americana as it existed and still exists
in this region. Specimens in the collection that relate
directly to the theme and research goals of the Museum include
men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories representing
early Euro-American ranch life to the recent past; military and
occupational uniforms, and other articles of clothing illustrative
of regional, occupational, and professional endeavors; and household
textiles that are indicative of women's activities since the
pioneer days. The majority of these materials were either
made and used by people living in this area since the mid-1800s,
or brought to the region during early Euro-American settlement
of the West. As such, these materials are important
resources for studies of the resourcefulness and adaptability
of people in this region for the 150-plus years.
Being an academic component of Texas Tech University and a
major part of the local community, the Museum also collects and
preserves clothing and textile materials that have relevance
to the community and the University. This category includes
objects belonging to university faculty members and prominent
individuals in the area. Outstanding among them are
Texas Tech uniforms of different varsity sports, bands, and cheerleading
squads; and articles of clothing from members of the Wade Arctic
expedition teams led by Dr. Anthony Wade, a well-known geologist
and long-term Tech faculty member. Many prominent political
and civic leaders of the State of Texas and the region, including
those of an ex-governor of Texas, Representatives to US Congress,
State Senators and Representatives, and University Presidents,
have also donated their clothing and other personal belongings
to the Museum over the years.
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