Ten plus years ago, we lived closer to Wichita Falls. And now that I have found these two places, I am bummed that we didn’t visit when we lived closer. I have a desire to make a trip up there to check out The Kell House Museum and the Kemp Center for the Arts. Both of these buildings are beautiful, historic structures and the both hold exhibits that would be very interesting.
The Kell House Museum
The Kell House Museum is an architecturally stunning building. It was built in 1909 as a family home overlooking Wichita Falls. Frank Kell is considered to have been a driving force in the development and growth of the town. Along with his brother-in-law, Joseph Kemp, Mr. Kell was involved in the grain industry, the development of Lake Wichita, utility companies, the newspaper, streetcar system, the railroad, the local college and more. It is opened as a museum and on tour you can experience period costumes, furnishing, textiles, and more. The CVB page mentioned that it is currently undergoing renovations but it open for tours; please call ahead. (Information from the Wichita Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau website.)
The Kemp Center for the Arts was originally built in 1917 and operated as a library for the town. It is now the center of the arts community for Wichita Falls and surrounding areas. Hosting multiple exhibits at any given time, the visual arts are showcased in a lovely and historic setting. There is an outdoor sculpture garden and both permanent and rotating exhibits. Performances by theater groups are showcased alongside the various venues for visual artists. It sounds like there is always something going on at The Kemp, including lots of classes to help teach and encourage others in the arts. (Information from the Wichita Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau website and the Arts Council, Wichita Falls Area Inc. sites.)
These places are definitely on my bucket list now! I love to visit art museums and historic homes so this fits right in with what I enjoy doing.
Blessings,
At Home.
This is a weekly series and will be linked weekly with the Blogging Through The Alphabet co-hosts:
Amanda at Hopkins Homeschool
Kirsten at Doodle Mom
Jennifer at Worth a Bowed Head
Kimberley at Vintage Blue Suitcase
Desiree at Our Homeschool Notebook
Markie at My Life As Mrs. Cooks
Hilary at Walking Fruitfully
Tagged: ABC blogging, art, field trips, Texas, travel/trips
At Home 
The Kell House sounds like it would be a great place to visit.
I think so, too.
[…] Coast H – Hot Air Balloons I – Independence J – Japanese Tea Garden K – Kell House and Kemp Center for the Arts L – President LBJ M – Mammoth Site N – Newman’s Castle O – […]
I love museums and art centers. We have an art center in our little town, but it’s not really fancy. My kids used to take art lessons there.
Sometimes the unfancy ones are the best as they offer services for an inexpensive cost. I love that your kids were able to take art lessons at a museum for a while.