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Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum and Panhandle PBS will share a gallery reception, film screening and panel discussion on the Hereford POW Camp of World War II on Thursday, March 31 at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 4th Ave. in Canyon. The event will start with a 6:00 p.m. reception in the Alexander Gallery, a 6:30 p.m. film screening followed by a 7:00 p.m. panel discussion.

The 2008 Panhandle PBS-produced film, "A Cathedral in the Desert: The POWs of Hereford Camp 31," shares the stories of the Italian POW camp outside of Hereford, where over 4,000 Italian soldiers were housed from 1942 through 1946. The film explores how a group of prisoners brought their artistic talents to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Umbarger, painting murals and sculpting figures while enjoying country cooking from the congregants.

This event is held as part of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum exhibition "Paradox in a POW Camp," on view in the Alexander Gallery through April 23rd. The exhibition tells the story of then 20-year old Ann Cockrell who worked at the camp for three years with doctors and military officials, documenting activities within the camp while getting to know many of the Italian prisoners held there. Building lasting friendships through art, writing, and interactions, her memories and mementos of the Hereford POW camp provide a window into this unique chapter in Texas Panhandle history.

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