Jimmy Dean Museum – Wayland Baptist University

Introduction

The Jimmy Dean Museum, located on the campus of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, pays homage to a hometown hero who achieved widespread fame and success in his endeavors. Whether you know of Jimmy Dean as a famous country music artist, actor, or consummate businessman who started one of the most well known brands of sausage in the world, Jimmy Dean epitomized what it means to pursue the American dream. The museum honoring him—an expansion of the Llano Estacado Museum—displays memorabilia from childhood through later years, sharing the life story of this unique, colorful man who died in 2010 at age 81.

The  Story

Lavin Architects was selected to lead the design of the facility, and the team set out to create a welcoming place that reflects Dean’s roots in Plainview, his binding ties to country music, and the small town values that made him a successful businessman. When selecting surfacing materials, Lavin turned to Crossville for American-made products that not only offered the right look and performance for the project, but that also supported the spirit of the museum as a whole. Ultimately, three Crossville tile collections were specified for floor and wall applications throughout the museum.

With a wood look that hearkens to the style of western culture, Crossville’s SpeakEasy in Sweet Georgia Brown proved to be an ideal choice for the bathroom floors. The SpeakEasy collection offers the convincing appearance of reclaimed barn wood interpreted in the durable, water-resistant strength of porcelain tile. The selection looks and performs well even in the busiest bathrooms and requires only minimal maintenance to keep looking great long term. In complement to the floors, the team chose Crossville’s Reclamation in Tobacco Road for bathroom walls. Echoing the spirit of repurposed materials, Reclamation blends a mix of wood and concrete looks to capture a modern edge with a hint of nostalgia—an excellent choice for the facility.

For the gallery and entry floors, the designers chose a Crossville Now collection (discontinued) in a classic, rich gray tone with a pleasing patina. This specification provides the perfect foundation for a timeless design, while also offering ease of maintenance in these busy, high traffic areas. The overall effect achieved is a subtle, timeless style that helps the entire space pay proper homage to its namesake.