April 23, 1947
El Pasoans thronged through the Centennial Museum on the College of Mines campus today after its formal opening yesterday afternoon.
More than 4000 persons visited the new building yesterday and last night.
The museum will be open until 9 p.m. today and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.
About 250 persons were present yesterday at the dedication ceremony at which Wallace Perry, member of the Centennial commission of Control, presented the museum to the College of Mines on behalf of the State Centennial Commission.
Tribute To Courage
J.G. Bennis, who spoke in behalf of the county Centennial committee, said the building was a tribute to pioneer courage that built a civilization out of the desert of the Southwest.
County Judge Joseph McGill praised the committee composed of Mr. Perry, ex-Mayor R.E. Sherman and Julian Harrison who went to Austin and "talked the centennial commission out of $50,000 for the museum."
Dream Realized
"This memorial is a realization of many years of a great many El Pasoans," Mr. Sherman said. "Here the past and present will be linked together for all times. The fact that this building is here today is due to the fact that El Pasoans fought for it."
Mr. Sherman reviewed the difficulty the committee had in obtaining the appropriation for the museum and praised Mr. Perry for his part in the fight.
Other speaker were Mayor M.A. Harlan, Mrs.W.R. Brown, Mrs. C..H. Leavell and Mr. Perry.
Dr. D.M. Wiggins accepted the building in behalf of the college of Mines.
Praises Perry
"The resourcefulness of Wallace Perry is largely responsible for this building being here today," Dr. Wiggins said.
"I wish I had had him and the rst of the committee that obtained the money for it with me in Austin during the last few weeks when I have been fighting for appropriations for the college."
Dr. Wiggins urged El Pasoans to maintain an interest in the museum and contribute toward its growth by gifts and loans of relics and exhibits.
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