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September 26, 2025
Preserving the Past: Dedication ceremony honors local family
Contributed
The Frontier Times Museum will host an historical marker dedication ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5 - 7 p.m. The event celebrates the installation of a new historical marker, replacing an outdated marker that has sat next to the front door since 1968. The project was made possible through the Bandera County Historical Commission with generous funding from Board Trustee Kirk McMullan and the McMullan family, who also supported the restoration of the museum’s iconic totem pole.
While president of the museum’s Board of Trustees, McMullan noticed the original marker contained several inaccuracies. With support from the Bandera County Historical Commission’s Marker Committee, a revised application was submitted and approved by the Texas Historical Commission, ensuring the marker now reflects the museum’s true history and heritage.
While historical markers belong to the state of Texas, each entity that request a marker is required to pay the expenditures. McMullan felt that this was such an important project, he personally funded the cost of the new marker.
“This updated marker not only corrects the historical record, but also honors the enduring legacy of those who helped establish and sustain the museum,” McMullan said.
Excited the marker is ready to be unveiled, Kimberly Miles, chairperson of the Bandera County Historical Commission said, “The process of obtaining a Texas State Historical Replacement Marker has proven to be a significant endeavor, as experienced by the Frontier Times Museum. Initiated in 2023, this journey faced several delays, but the highly anticipated unveiling of the new marker has finally arrived. The Bandera County Historical Commission is proud to have collaborated with Kirk McMullan, past president, and Rebecca Norton, executive director of the Frontier Times Museum, to ensure the accurate documentation of the history of this vital Bandera landmark.”
The museum’s totem pole was also in need of restoration. Originally carved by retired British Royal Naval Commander G. Keith Gordon, it was given to the museum in 1947 as part of a bequest from his widow, Louisa Gordon. Commander Gordon, an avid world traveler, had fallen in love with the majestic totems of Canada’s Northwest Coast and set about creating his own life-sized version for the garden of his Texas home. When Mrs. Gordon entrusted their collection of treasures to museum founder J. Marvin Hunter, the totem pole found a new home in front of the museum, where it has stood as a sentinel of history ever since. But with time and weather, the once-vibrant pole slowly faded beneath the Texas sun. Its last restoration, completed in the 1980s by Fred Collins, carried it forward another generation. Four decades later, the totem pole once again called out for renewal.
The answer came during the museum’s Gala, where the opportunity to sponsor its restoration sparked lively bidding. The winning bid by McMullan helped make the project possible. Local Licensed Paramedic and Artist Logan Miles was entrusted with the work. With meticulous care, Miles studied the traditions of authentic Northwest Coast totems to ensure every brushstroke of color honored the spirit of the original.
To recognize their generous support, the unveiling ceremony will be dedicated to the McMullan family. The ceremony will include remarks from community leaders and a formal unveiling of the new marker. A joint effort of the Bandera County Historical Commission and the Frontier Times Museum, the festivities will occur on the front grounds of the museum. After the ceremony, guests will be invited into the museum for refreshments and fellowship. The public is invited to attend and celebrate this milestone in preserving Bandera’s cultural history. The Frontier Times Museum is located at 510 13th Street. For more information, please call 830-796-3864.
While president of the museum’s Board of Trustees, McMullan noticed the original marker contained several inaccuracies. With support from the Bandera County Historical Commission’s Marker Committee, a revised application was submitted and approved by the Texas Historical Commission, ensuring the marker now reflects the museum’s true history and heritage.
While historical markers belong to the state of Texas, each entity that request a marker is required to pay the expenditures. McMullan felt that this was such an important project, he personally funded the cost of the new marker.
“This updated marker not only corrects the historical record, but also honors the enduring legacy of those who helped establish and sustain the museum,” McMullan said.
Excited the marker is ready to be unveiled, Kimberly Miles, chairperson of the Bandera County Historical Commission said, “The process of obtaining a Texas State Historical Replacement Marker has proven to be a significant endeavor, as experienced by the Frontier Times Museum. Initiated in 2023, this journey faced several delays, but the highly anticipated unveiling of the new marker has finally arrived. The Bandera County Historical Commission is proud to have collaborated with Kirk McMullan, past president, and Rebecca Norton, executive director of the Frontier Times Museum, to ensure the accurate documentation of the history of this vital Bandera landmark.”
The museum’s totem pole was also in need of restoration. Originally carved by retired British Royal Naval Commander G. Keith Gordon, it was given to the museum in 1947 as part of a bequest from his widow, Louisa Gordon. Commander Gordon, an avid world traveler, had fallen in love with the majestic totems of Canada’s Northwest Coast and set about creating his own life-sized version for the garden of his Texas home. When Mrs. Gordon entrusted their collection of treasures to museum founder J. Marvin Hunter, the totem pole found a new home in front of the museum, where it has stood as a sentinel of history ever since. But with time and weather, the once-vibrant pole slowly faded beneath the Texas sun. Its last restoration, completed in the 1980s by Fred Collins, carried it forward another generation. Four decades later, the totem pole once again called out for renewal.
The answer came during the museum’s Gala, where the opportunity to sponsor its restoration sparked lively bidding. The winning bid by McMullan helped make the project possible. Local Licensed Paramedic and Artist Logan Miles was entrusted with the work. With meticulous care, Miles studied the traditions of authentic Northwest Coast totems to ensure every brushstroke of color honored the spirit of the original.
To recognize their generous support, the unveiling ceremony will be dedicated to the McMullan family. The ceremony will include remarks from community leaders and a formal unveiling of the new marker. A joint effort of the Bandera County Historical Commission and the Frontier Times Museum, the festivities will occur on the front grounds of the museum. After the ceremony, guests will be invited into the museum for refreshments and fellowship. The public is invited to attend and celebrate this milestone in preserving Bandera’s cultural history. The Frontier Times Museum is located at 510 13th Street. For more information, please call 830-796-3864.