CANYON, TEXAS -- It's the resources of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum that attracted more than 300 people to listen to a speech related to the first edition of the King James Bible.
It's also the first printing of the bible, which was dated 1611, and includes hand-illustrations. The lecture Thursday night was packed, with people filing into the hallways as the speaker explored the religious and historical aspects related to bible.
The speaker, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at West Texas A&M University, James Hallmark, Ph.D, also spoke to the historical notion of the bible's translations.
It's all part of a hands-on exhibit, where visitors can actually touch, read, and flip though the pages of the bible.
"People connect to the objects and the artifacts of the past and this collection allows them to do that first hand. These books are so important to society. They were revolutionary when they came out and so that's what makes them even more attractive," said Andrea Porter, the Communications Director for the PPHM.
You can see the collection though December 1, 2010. The museum asks that you make an appointment, so you can flip through the pages. Other first editions include a scroll of the Torah and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.
