WOODVILLE – A woodsman, a cattleman and someone with a great love of history are some of the ways the late Durwood Ling was remembered by friends and family.
Ling, a lifelong Tyler County resident, who lived in Doucette, and died on April 1 of this year, was honored last Friday at Heritage Village with the dedication and renaming of the Village “Buggy Barn” as the “Durwood Ling Wagon and Buggy Barn.”
Ling was a longtime volunteer at Heritage Village and a member of the Tyler County Heritage Society board of directors. In 2005, Ling spearheaded an effort to transport a fleet of donated vintage buggies and wagons from Canyon, in the Panhandle Plains region, out to the Village, but the trek was hamstrung by the coming of Hurricane Rita.
Nevertheless, as his brother DeWayne explained at the dedication event on Friday, Ling was able to circumvent the coming storm and get the buggies and wagons to safety through the storm.
The storm provided a blessing in disguise toward the end of building the structure. Ling collected trees that Rita fell, milled them into lumber, and it was used to construct the Wagon and Buggy Barn.
Ling’s beloved wife Estelle, who is also now deceased, was also a tireless volunteer at the Village, and many of her handmade quilts adorn the Wagon and Buggy Barn walls.
In front of a crowd of family, friends and supporters of the Village, DeWayne Ling cut the ribbon to rededicate the building in his late brother’s honor. DeWayne also recounted some fond memories of his brother, who he said had a deep love of history, especially researching genealogy.
Interim Executive Director Kay Timme welcomed everyone, and spoke of the efforts to revitalize the Wagon and Buggy Barn prior to its renaming, especially the efforts of TCHS volunteers Sarah Reinemeyer and Betty Zimmerman. Timme also unveiled a fresh sign on the front of the building bearing its new name, which was created by the crew at Walling Signs.
The Durwood Ling Wagon and Buggy Barn houses a unique collection of 24 vintage wagons and buggies, and can be toured when you come to check out Heritage Village, which is open for self-guided tours daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided tours are also available for individuals and groups, and must be booked in advance by calling 409-403-2025.
