Women Airforce Service Pilot Historical Presentation

WASPThe Caprock Cultural Association is very happy to have historian Lou Burleson return to the Heritage House on April 8, 2016 for a performance that tells the story of the “WASP” – women Airforce service pilots. The event begins at Noon with lunch.

Burleson is a retired history and theater teacher who lives in Floydada, Texas. Continuing her love of history, she developed seven “one-woman” shows to share the story of outstanding women in Texas history. “My ‘WASP’ program seems to be a favorite of audiences,” Lou said. “Perhaps because it is a little known part of our state’s history.”

The WASP program was formed during the early part of World War II to compensate for a critical shortage of male pilots. Women were trained as licensed pilots to help relieve the shortage. Approximately 25,000 women applied, 1,830 were accepted into the program. These women were never officially accepted as military until 1977 when President Jimmy Carter signed a law making it official. The Women Airforce Service Pilots were trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. A National WASP museum has been established at Avenger Field to honor this part of Texas history.

This event is sponsored by the Caprock Cultural Association. Cost for the event is $12/person and reservations are required by Wednesday, April 6. Call 806-495-4148 or email ccarts@poka.com for more information or to make your reservation.

Texas State Historian in Post

Texas State Historian and Author Bill O’Neal shared some very entertaining stories from his latest book, “Texas Gunslingers” at the Heritage House in Post on July 14. A large crowd was on hand to enjoy O’Neal’s presentation as well as see an exhibit of the author’s vintage gun collection.

O’Neal is the author of more than 40 books and is best known in the Post area for two books set in this county: “The Bloody Legacy of Pink Higgins” and “The Johnson-Sims Feud.” He was appointed Texas state historian in 2012 by then Governor Rick Perry and after serving the required two years, O’Neal was appointed for a second term.

For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state’s first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University – Commerce.

The event was sponsored by the Caprock Cultural Association. For information about upcoming events at the Heritage House, call 806-495-4148 or email ccarts@poka.comBill_O'Neal,_TX_state_historian_(2014)_DSCN1310