Frontier Texas! is out to show it is a high-caliber attraction.
The local museum, which has made a name for itself with its Miss Frontier Texas! contest, its Big Country Pet Parades and its Belt Sander Races, will unveil a new documentary to highlight the importance firearms have played in the taming of Texas and the West.
In March 2013, the museum installed an exhibit called Guns of the West that features more than 70 historic firearms. The exhibit included a five-minute introduction film with some historical content for the gun collection. Now, Frontier Texas! is creating a longer film it is calling “Guns on the Texas Frontier.”
Jeff Salmon, executive director of Frontier Texas!, said the goal of the film is to show that firearms played a significant role in frontier history.
“We want to showcase it for people today and document it for future generations,”Β Salmon said.
This documentary tells the history of which guns were used in Texas, the technological advances that affected their use and the impact they had on civilization and the community. According to its website, Frontier Texas! expects to thrill audiences with an experience “like they’ve never seen before” with the documentary.
Salmon said he is eager to discuss the process of the film and can’t wait until it appears in the museum in March.
“The footage is amazing and very informative to see the details of what happens in a split second,”Β Salmon said.
Alan Huffines, local author and military historian, is writing the script to bring the movie to life.
Salmon is also working with the museum’s operations manager, Chris Allen, an ACU graduate, who oversaw the filming of the guns at Fort Phantom Hill historic site.
Allen arranged for the rental of a special high-speed camera to show the guns being fired in slow-motion.
Kaleigh Singleton, sophomore communications major from Round Rock, said she likes to attend the museum to learn more about Abilene’s history and is interested in the new exhibit.
“I went to the First Annual Belt Sander Races at Frontier Texas this year,” she said. “I typically only go when they are having big events, but interesting background information and cool pictures of guns definitely makes it worth the visit.”
The film will debut at the museum during the Taylor County Historical Commission Perini Awards dinner March 5. Tickets are $20.
