FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(VERNON, TX) The Jack Teagarden Museum would like to announce that it is currently looking for any volunteers who would like to donate their time and talent to establishing a museum and archive for the life and works of the late world-renowned Jazz trombonist, Jack Teagarden. Upcoming projects include cleaning out the building at 1922 Wilbarger (the future home of the museum), helping with construction and restoration of the interior, and painting and other related tasks. Additionally, the museum is looking for any grant writers or people with grant writing expertise to help us get ahead on the fundraising necessary to acquire, maintain, and display the archive.

The Project is currently under the direction of Mark Farr-Nash, a Teagarden enthusiast and one of the owners of the Vernon Plaza Theater. He is working closely with the world’s foremost collector of Teagarden memorabilia, Joe Showler. Currently living in Toronto, Canada, Showler had hoped to move to Vernon with his collection and help curate the museum as well as set up and maintain the archive. Those plans changed when he was diagnosed last November with terminal liver cancer.

With the clock ticking, Farr-Nash is trying to raise enough funds to secure the collection for the museum, as well as upgrade and improve the existing structure to house and protect the archive for generations to come.

“In addition to fundraising for acquisition of the collection, there will be two phases to the construction, after the building has been brought up to code with a new roof and glass in the windows,” Farr-Nash explained. “Phase one involves reshaping and changing the existing rooms in the building and outfitting them with air and electricity so that they are climate-controlled and dust-free. Those rooms, then, will house the collection as well as serve as a reading room. Phase two involves laying out and constructing the museum proper in the back half of the building. It’s deceptively large,” Farr-Nash quipped.

Despite a ticking clock and an ambitious schedule, Farr-Nash remains optimistic.  “I have a lot of faith and confidence in the people of Vernon who have already expressed an interest in helping with this project. There are lots of groups here who want to help out on projects like these and we welcome that help,” he said. “Considering that the covered arena got built, from the ground-up, in six months, I don’t think that our twelve month schedule to modify an existing building is too crazy. Of course, it all comes down to funding and fundraising. Without any money in the coffers, we are dead in the water.”

Future plans for the museum and archive include a scholarship fund for local musicians and an annual Jazz and Big Band Festival. Farr-Nash added, “I’d also like to do some USO-style dances to raise money for the troops. Jack Teagarden was a big USO supporter and I would love to see the Teagarden Museum carry on in his stead.”

For more information about any aspect of the the Jack Teagarden Museum, contact Mark Farr-Nash at markfinn@texas.net or call (940) 839-7873.