Permian Basin Celtic Heritage Society is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization and a registered DBA, Celtic Heritage Society of the Permian Basin Our Society (501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization) was formed for educational and charitable purposes
The Scottish Heritage Society of the Permian Basin (SHSPB) was established as a social organization in 1996. In 2002, it became the Celtic Heritage Society of the Permian Basin (CHSPB) to allow membership by persons with heritage from, or interest in, the other Celtic nations along with learning about their own heritage/family history. Almost immediately, membership doubled and expanded outside of the Midland/Odessa area to Ft. Stockton, San Angelo, Canyon, Panhandle, TX, Lubbock, Andrews, Big Spring, Hobbs, New Mexico and as far as Fort Worth Texas. September 2003 we obtained our 501C3 Non-Profit status. There are five Officers (Chieftain, Cadet, Sporran, Recording Scribe & Corresponding Scribe) and eight Council members.
The Permian Basin Celtic Heritage Society, Inc. (dba Celtic Heritage Society of the Permian Basin/CHSPB) was formed in May of 2002 by its membership. Its establishment was based on a demonstrated need, in the Permian Basin and West Texas, for educational and cultural events, which exhibit the rich Celtic heritage of a large portion of the residents of the area. Based on the experiences of similar organizations in other parts of the State, it was believed that an annual festival, demonstrating this heritage, was the best avenue to reach a majority of the residents. Research indicated that, to accomplish our goals and to raise the essential funds and to educate the residents of West Texas and the Permian Basin it would be necessary to become a non-profit corporation and so the Celtic Heritage Society of the Permian Basin became a 501C3 organization September 2003.
For 10 years the SHSPB/CHSPB has offered monthly educational programs to its membership and the public. These programs have ranged from Clan (family) history, history on the 7 Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Brittany, and Galicia), genealogy, kilt making, bagpipe history and much more. CHSPB members volunteer their time working with MISD and ECISD schools on Celtic Heritage. We participate, annually, in the Bonham Elementary “Texas Days” (MISD) teaching the students about the Celtic History in Texas. The students learn about the 7 Celtic Nations, where the Kilt originated from and how it is made, see and here a Scottish bagpiper and have a chance to hear a 2 Scottish storey teller tell tales of the Scottish people. Our pipers have piped for both MISD and ECISD schools so that the youth can learn the history of Bagpiping.
The Society hosts an Annual Scottish-Irish Faire the second weekend in March each year. The Faire gives the residents of the Permian Basin/West Texas the opportunity to come out and enjoy Celtic music, art, history, and food. There is even a Celtic Dog parade for kids and adults alike. The children have fun at MacCastle where they can enjoy Celtic games and activities. Everyone can enjoy the Scottish and Irish dancers, bagpipers, genealogy workshops and much more while attending the Faire.
The members of the Society and their guests celebrate the Christmas holiday with their very own Celtic Santa, full dress kilt, red coat and white beard and all.
We have an annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet; Robert “Rabbie” Burns (1759-1796) celebrated on, or about, the Bard’s (the poet’s) birthday, January 25th with a Burns dinner. Everyone turns out in Celtic attire and yes the famed “Haggis” is served after being piped in by the bagpipers of the Society.
