Photographic slide of children participating in a lawn game of pitching washers toward several boxes at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. The Hardin-Simmons University Richardson Library (left) and lines of children walking from the building can be seen in the background.

Photograph of a man holding a branding iron at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. Two fire pits to heat the irons can be seen at the man’s feet and in the background.

Photograph of Gary Fraser, in a green apron and a cowboy hat, presenting trays of tradition Western desserts to a group of excited girls at the 2008 Western Heritage Day. Children playing and enjoying the festivities on a lawn, various mature trees, and a purple golf cart can be seen in the background.

Christmas photo card of the Spicer family gathered in front of the fireplace. Note on the back of the photograph reads, “We waited to send out cards until we could take this picture at our Christmas gathering on December 21. Pictured are (back row l-r) Johnny and Connie Earp, Cindy Spicer, Carlene and Charles Spicer, Holder Biemeret, Carrie Spicer, Mallary, Kim, and Chuck Spicer, (front rowl-r) Hollie and Hannah Biemeret, Hamilton Spicer, and Hope Biemeret.”

Photograph of Bob Collins, who wears a white polo shirt, reading from a picture book to a group of children and their parents at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. The group – sitting down on grass – huddles around him to form a circle.

Presidential inauguration program for W. Craig Turner, who was president of Hardin-Simmons University from 2001 to 2009. A pen and ink drawing of one of the campus buildings is showcased in the interior section.

Photograph of the Connally Missions Center, showing the front, one side, and the parking lot of the one-story brick building. Handwritten note on the back of the photograph reads, “Connally Missions Center -- Gift of J. Ed & Dr. Virginia Boyd Connally -- Dedicated February 2000.”

Photographic slide of Bob Fink, wearing a blue blazer and a baseball cap, passing a white baby goat to an excited boy who holds his hands out at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. Other children can be seen in the area, passing around the goats to pet. A multistory, red brick building can be seen in the background.

Photographic slide of James Leddy, wearing a denim shirt and a cowboy hat, instructing children in the art of boot making at the 2003 Western Heritage Day. The children gather around Leddy in a semi-circle as he speaks to them.

Photograph of a student in the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band playing a French horn at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. She wears a yellow button-down shirt, bandanna, a large belt buckle, and chaps. Several white plastic chairs can be seen in the background.

Photograph of a young boy holding a branded "HSU" block of wood at the 2004 Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. The boy wears a blue jacket and a yellow "HSU Sheriff's Posse" badge on his t-shirt.

Photograph of three Hardin-Simmons University students performing a play on stage at the 2003 Western Heritage Day. The backdrop is of a painted cowboy shooting at a fair game.

Group photograph of a Hardin-Simmons University-affiliated family posed next to a Christmas tree. From left to right: Katrina Dean Fink (daughter of Dr. Jack Dean, Dean of School of Music); Dr. Bob Fink, Dept. of English; Dr. Tiffany Fink, Dept. of History, and her son Andrew; Jon Fink; and Rob Fink.

Photographic slide of cowboy singer, Paul Madden, playing the guitar and singing into a microphone at the 2003 Western Heritage Day. He wears a brown cowboy hat and a denim jacket. Several large trees can be seen in the background.

Photograph of small children and adults participating in the "Chicken Dance" at the 2009 Western Heritage Day celebration at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. The group of dancers, circled around a young man in a white shirt, are standing in front of Anderson Hall.

Photographic slide of a woman reading aloud from an alphabet book to a group of children at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. She speaks into a microphone and holds the book out so the children can see the pictures. Potato sacks can be seen handing from a fence in the background.

Photographic slide of Jason Fraser in a cowboy hat preparing a meal in chuck wagon-fashion at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. He is assembling crust in a lattice pattern in a metal pie pan. Shelves filled with various kitchen tools and food, including bell peppers and bottled salsa, can be seen behind him.

Photograph of a green and red chuck wagon on display at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. A plaque on the side of the wagon declares Delys Clayton Mitchell and Lea Clayton as the donors of the wagon to Hardin-Simmons University.

Photograph of James Leddy making boots at a booth at the 2003 Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Children and adults surround the booth, watching Leddy use his tools. In the background, children play on a field of grass.

Letter from George Thatcher to Dr. Lanny Hall to thank him for the material he sent him regarding his grandfather, Dr. George Oscar Thatcher. George Thatcher encloses several photos in return and describes them in this correspondence.

Photographic slide of Teresa Ellis, Sherri Collins, and Renee Collins passing out beans and biscuits to children at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. Napkins, squirt bottles of barbecue sauce, and a large pot of cooked beans are laid out on the table from which the women serve the food. A large crowd of adults and children, waiting to be served, can be seen in the background.

Photographic slide of a cowboy singing and playing the guitar at the 2003 Western Heritage Day. The singer, visible from the side, wears a straw cowboy hat, aviator sunglasses, and a denim jacket.

The interior page of the presidential inauguration program for W. Craig Turner, who was president of Hardin-Simmons University from 2001 to 2009. The pen and ink drawing showcases one of the campus buildings.

Photograph of a group of children in matching red vests and yellow t-shirts at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. They standing watching as three men discuss and demonstrate branding techniques.