The American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum will Close to Undergo Complete Redesign
Amarillo, Texas, January 31, 2006 – The American Quarter Horse Foundation is proud to announce the transformation of the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum into an inspiring showcase to be called the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.
The Heritage Center, including Quarter Horse Outfitters, will close February 1 to begin a year-long renovation.
Make plans to visit the grand opening of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in 2007 and experience state-of-the-art technology, beautiful artifacts and touching histories of your favorite equine breed and the people who made “America’s Horse.â€
While the renovations take place, Quarter Horse Outfitters will continue to provide its customers with AQHA-branded gifts and western lifestyle merchandise they love through Internet and phone orders. Visit quarterhorseoutfitters.com or call (806) 376-5181 to make your next purchase. In early March, Outfitters will open a store location in Puckett Plaza shopping center in Amarillo, located at 34th and Bell Street.
Visit aqha.com/foundation or call (806) 378-5000 to learn how you can support the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum redesign and be a part of history in the making.
· A project of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the charitable and benevolent organization of the American Quarter Horse Association
· Opened in 1991 (the concept for an American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame began in 1975)
· Cost of construction was $4.2 million
· 36,500 square feet
· Showcases the history and modern activities of the American Quarter Horse, and facility offers a multitude of audio-visual and hands-on exhibits for visitors, as well as historically significant artifacts and breathtaking art
· Welcomes 20,000-30,000 visitors each year
· Hosts between 50 and 60 events each year, including functions coinciding with the AQHA Bayer Select World Championship Show each September
· Currently 122 people and 62 horses reside in the Hall of Fame. First human inductees occurred in 1982; first horses were inducted in 1989
· Also houses Quarter Horse Outfitters, official merchandiser of AQHA products and museum gifts
• Scheduled to open in February 2007
• Cost of construction/renovation is approximately $7.5 million
• 8,500 square feet will be added (archival, exhibit preparation and additional storage) to the original 36,500, totaling 45,000 square feet
• Will feature state-of-the-art technology to exhibit members of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, including touch-screen digital formats
• A new timeline will showcase Hall of Fame member contributions during the time in which they made their impact on the breed
• A new grand hall will guide visitors through the Hall of Fame
• A new theater will entertain and educate while providing a gathering place for visitors
• New bronzes will welcome visitors upon arrival
• Designer: Southwest Museum Services, Houston, Texas
• Architect: Lavin Architects, Amarillo, Texas
• General Contractor: Wiley Hicks Jr., Amarillo, Texas
• Note: Quarter Horse Outfitters will be closed only temporarily. A satellite store will open in Puckett Plaza (34th & Bell) in Amarillo beginning in early March. (Internet sales will continue. However, some shipping delays should be expected. Please visit quarterhorseoutfitters.com for details)
