The Department Club “reveal,” joyously-recalled history and “just visiting” were highlights of National Travel and Tourism Week in Port Arthur. The week, May 7 to 13, kicks off the summer travel season and recognizes those who extend hospitality to those ready to experience travel across America.
Events the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted included a ribbon cutting for the Department Club, which has a fresh, restored look. City officials and guests enjoyed a tour of this historical building that once hosted symphony and culture clubs. Built in 1924, it’s now ready for showers and other events right on the seawall. Guests at the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting perused scrapbooks and kept an eye out for the ships that pass right by the Club’s window. Some excited visitors were ready to book graduation parties.
Stories of the sound of nightly church bells and hymns blanketing Port Arthur’s West Side were part of Mary Latham’s historical reminiscences at the West Side Development Center. Port Arthur’s Mayor Thurman Bartie shared memories of parents and other gazers watching Lincoln High School prom attendees arrive in their finery. The center features wall boards that share images and anecdotes of the African-American community in decades past. Barbara Smith attended after leading a YMCA Silver Sneakers class down the hall.
Museum of the Gulf Coast played a big part in the week, joining Visit Port Arthur in hosting a coffee and kolache morning of private tours geared to those 50 and older. Tourism décor stayed up for the next day, when the Museum hosted a START meeting. This is a group of regional tourism representatives who talk around about what’s up in their venues.
For the Birds was the theme for the May 13 family fun day, which saw 675 visitors to the museum celebrating World Migratory Bird Day. The city of Port Arthur proclaimed this as a day of recognition and groups such as Visit Port Arthur, Sabine Area Master Naturalist and Sea Rim Park were among groups sharing information.
Sea Rim State Park gave out Visit Port Arthur flying discs during the week.
Port Arthur had a great week and we’re still hosting events. This happens to be the quasquicentennial of the city. We are 125 years old. Share your memories and check out the detailed site at www.portarthur125.com
The Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing 0rganization for Port Arthur, Texas. We keep visitors and locals in the know on our natural views and things to do, to enhance economic development. For more information on hotels, good eating and bird-friendly practices, visit www.visitportarthurtx.com