Now on exhibit at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center in Weatherford is “Celebration: 100 Years of Scouting in The USA 1910-2010.”

The exhibit continues through March 6.

Most of the scouting memorabilia on display was collected from present and former scouts in the Weatherford and Parker County area. Some items are on loan from the Worth Ranch Boy Scout Camp.

British General Robert Baden-Powell founded the scouting movement in England in 1907, and it made it to America in 1910.

At the entrance to the exhibit hall where the scout memorabilia is displayed is a large sign-in board for all scouts, past and present, to sign in with their troop number and date they were in the scouts.

Next to this is a gateway the local scouts made from poles.

Inside are several displays of Boy Scout uniforms from the earliest days to the present.

In one corner of the exhibit area is a camp set-up with a pup tent, fire pit and all the camping gear, including a canoe.

Carol Williams, the exhibit coordinator, said several items had been added to the exhibit that would not be found at a regular scout camp site.

When scouts tour the exhibit, they are asked to find the items that do not belong.

Several scout handbooks were on display — “Air Explorer Manual,” “Air Scout 1940s,” “Explorer Manual,” “The Sea Scout Manual,” “Longhorn Council Wood Badge Directory” and “The Den Mothers Den-Book.”

One display I found interesting was that of a Boy Scout braille manual from the 1930s.

Williams said that the only writing in the book was the scout’s name in the front.

There are several displays of the many merit badges earned by scouts in the area.

One of the larger displays was of badges earned by the Rice Family Eagles along with their pictures.

A Cubmobile was on display.

The Cubmobile Derbies were first held as early as 1937, when den mothers were given directions for making Cubmobiles.

These cars were gravity-driven vehicles that raced down a 135 yard incline.

Today most Cubmobiles have evolved into Cub Scout Pushmobile Derbies.

In flights of three, teams of six Cubs race their homemade cars down a track, switching places at the end and racing back to the top.

The Scouts compete with other teams for ribbons and trophies.

The Pushmobile on display was made by Cubs from Pack 375 in Parker County.

Displayed near the Cubmobile was the Klondike sled.

Klondike Derby sleds, as you might guess, were first meant for much colder, snowier climates than the winters in Texas.

Despite this Texas Scouts are not deterred in this winter camping activity. The vehicle on display was adapted to Texas.

Built on wheels and raced by Venture Crew 4007 of Weatherford and took first place in its category at Tehoya Scout Camp in the winter of 2009.

The object is for a team to build a sled that can stay together while being pulled down a track and back, keeping the driver and team safe until the team crosses the finish line.

What would the Scouts be without the Jamborees? According to a notice on display, only two Jamborees in which American Scouts have been involved were canceled.

The first B.S.A. National Jamboree in 1935, to commemorate the B.S.A.’s 25th year, was canceled by President Franklin D. Roosevelt because of a severe epidemic of polio in the Washington, D.C., area, where the Jamboree was to be held. The rescheduled event was set for 1937.

The second was in 1979. The 15th World Jamboree was scheduled to be held in Iran, but it was canceled because dangerous political unrest.

The 15th was moved in 1983 to Alberta, Canada.  

Among the many items on display was a “Kit Karson Kit,” official Scout axe and sheath knife in use from 1937-60; an official First Aid Kit, Boy Scouts of America; a Boy Scout wrist watch and pocket watch from the late 1930s; and a Boy Scout Kodak camera from 1926.

Another interesting item was Lord Robert Baden-Powell’s Farewell Message to Scouts of the World:

“Dear Scouts. If you have ever seen the play “Peter Pan” you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.

“Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.

“I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life, too.

“I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and to enjoy life. Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.

“Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

“But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. ‘Be prepared’ in this way to live happy and to die happy — stick to your Scout Promise always — even after you have ceased to be a boy — and God help you to do it.

“Your Friend — Baden-Powell”

I do not have room here to describe all the displays, but if you have any interest in scouting, this is one exhibit you need to see.

The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is located at 1400 Texas Drive in Weatherford. Going in on Texas 171, turn right at the second light after crossing Interstate 20 and follow the signs. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens.

For information call 817-599-6168 or visit www.dosscenter.org.



John Watson is a Cleburne resident who can be reached at texastraveler@sbcglobal.net.