"Concentrate long and deep upon life and living - death and dying - who, what, why we are as we are and where we are going. The answer, your answer will at a time come in all plainness."
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Woody Guthrie
Along the way I found a brick structure that appeared to be a simple store until the words, "Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center" came up. Anticipation got the better of me. I walked over, pulled the door handle, but no one was home. I went to a near by business and asked when they are open. "Just call them," the lady with piercing blue eyes and snow white hair says. "Their phone numbers are on the wall, call and they will open when they get there." After trying a couple of numbers I got in touch with founder, Thelma Bray.
"Just wait, can you wait 20 minutes," she says.
"Yes ma'am."
After waiting in the truck for a while I got out and checked the window and saw a short women with grey hair and a black coat inside with her niece.
The door opens,
"Hi, can I help you," Ms. Bray says as a sparkle lit up in her eye.
"This is Gregory, I just called concerning the museum."
"O, yes, welcome."
From there the tour began.
The museum (
Woody Guthrie Pampa TX) was organized by Ms. Bray and Glenna Lee Miller in 1991 as a tribute to Mr. Guthrie who lived in Pampa during the heart of the Dust Bowl. On September 19th, 2000, John Farister provided a plan to create The Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center in the Harris Drug Store, where Woody worked. The café was purchased by the
Pampa Tribune in April 2001.
A type writer and a plethora of books, including The Grapes of Wrath, decorated Woody's heart.
In mid 2011, Bob Santelli from the Grammy Museum in L.A. came to visit and talk about Woody’s 100th birthday. There were events all across the country honoring Woody in 2012 and Mr Santelli invited them to be a part of the celebration. In March of that year, Arlo Guthrie entertained the community once again where Thelma Bray "was presented with a bronze plaque by Nora Guthrie commemorating her work for Woody and recognizing the Center as a special place for Woody fans to visit and participate in Woody’s legacy." The plaque hangs outside the Harris Drugstore for the world to see.
It culminated in 2013 with the dedication of a Grammy plaque.
The museum also pays homage to the strength of the community during the Dust Bowl.
A curtain that survived the historic event. It was washed three times, Ms. Bray says.
The bar was not original, but the building used to be a drug store for many years. Today, musicians, including Jimmy LaFave, come by to pay homage to the legendary folk song writer.
In October 2012, LaFave honored the museum with "Walking Woody’s Road," a tribute of Woody’s songs along with a video presentation and some of Woody’s story where he was joined by Michael Fracasso and Betty Soo along with a group of other musicians.
This Land is Your Land
The late Pete Seeger, a close friend of Woody's.
In the back is a room with a signboard where people from various backgrounds can stop and leave a note of gratitude to Mr. Guthrie.
What does Woody mean to you?
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