Gun for Preservation and Restoration

By Eric Abercrombie, Fort Griffin State Historic Site

Due to the efforts of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and the Friends of Fort Griffin, the powder magazine at Fort Griffin State Historic Site has recently been restored to its original 1870s condition. Prior to the restoration work, extensive research was conducted by Martha Freeman, Texas historian and author, to ensure this building was restored as closely to historically accurate as possible. The funding for the research and restoration was provided by our very supportive friends group, the Friends of Fort Griffin.

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The original purpose of the powder magazine was to safely store powder and ammunition for the military. It was built a fair distance from other fort buildings, likely as a safeguard, in case the contents of the building were to discharge, causing a large explosion.

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The walls were made from local limestone and contained three small, z-shaped vent holes, designed for ventilation while preventing entry of a flame or spark that could ignite the powder and ammunition inside. The powder magazine had a wooden roof with a “weather ridge,” the common style at the time. Rather than a ridge cap, which is commonly used today, the weather ridge is simply an overlapping of an additional row of wood shingles at the top of the ridge. In case of an explosion, the wood roof, which is weaker than the thick rock walls, would allow an explosion’s energy release to go up rather than out. Overall, construction of the magazine was very simple, yet effective for its intended purpose.

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Fort Griffin and the THC plan to include interpretive displays inside the powder magazine in the near future. These displays will include period-correct cartridge, rifle and pistol boxes, and powder kegs. The powder magazine is one of the buildings that can be toured at the site, along with many of the other great buildings that make up Fort Griffin. Come tour Fort Griffin today!

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**The Fort Griffin State Historic Site is located 15 miles north of Albany on U.S. Hwy 283 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

The End of Summer at Fort Lancaster

By Cheryl Dowell, Fort Lancaster Site Staff

At Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, young visitors enjoyed the last week of summer vacation by exploring the site’s ruins and learning about early Texas history. On August 14, it was a day of fun (for the staff, too!) as the kids tried on period uniforms and laundress apparel, and posed for pictures. Perhaps one day they will bring their own kids back to Fort Lancaster to preserve and learn about Texas history as well.

Enderle and Caleb Madden visiting from Dallas

Brandon, John Paul, and Frankie visiting from Andrews

**Fort Lancaster is located near Sheffield in the Texas Pecos Trail Region.

2010 at the Confederate Reunion Grounds (part 2)

By Dixie Hoover, site manager at the Confederate Reunion Grounds

The Chisholm Trail Riding Club, a family-oriented riding club, spent Memorial Day weekend camping, evenings under the Pavilion visiting, and riding the back roads of Limestone County.

The first weekend of June was the 27th Mid-America Brass Car Tour for the North Texas Regional Group of the Horseless Carriage Club of America.

 A mid-morning scheduled stop gave the group a break under the Pavilion to cool off from the heat and learn about the site’s history through an interpretive talk provided by site staff.

Consistent rains through spring and summer have kept the grounds green and beautiful for native and historic vegetation.

The crepe myrtles produced a “bumper crop” this year.

The branches were so heavy with the first blooms some were touching the ground after an early summer shower and creating tunnels to the entrance of the historic native stone fountain.

Baltimore Oriole

Tiger Swallow Tail Butterfly

Large numbers of migratory birds and butterflies have visited the site to join our resident blue heron that lives in the bend of the Navasota River year round to enjoy the site’s abundance for flowers, vegetation, food, and water.

Privet bush and butterflies

Fishing and paddling has attracted many individuals and groups for 2010. Even in the deep heat of summer, the grounds remain green and beautiful, the river still trickles over the historic low water dam, and “just enough” water remains above the historic low water crossing to launch a canoe or kayak for entrance into the deep of the Navasota River to navigate the Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail.

Recently, the full moon of July/August provided lighting for the Key’s Battery to hold their annual muster meeting and to time their gathering to commemorate the Joseph E. Johnston Camp 94 United Confederate

Veterans which was historically held annually during the full moon of these summer months. The 2011 annual muster will be held next year under the same full moon and the battery invites the public to participate with them to commemorate Civil War veteran.

The cool of the morning is the best time of day during the “dog days” of summer to walk the historic ruins and trails. For the afternoon heat, sitting under the 1893 Dance Pavilion provides shade and creates a natural “draw” that lowers the temperature a good 10 degrees to enjoy the panoramic view of the site.

Upcoming fall events include Archeology Family Days 2010.

**The Confederate Reunion Grounds is located southwest of Mexia on FM 2705 on the Texas Brazos Trail.

2010 at the Confederate Reunion Grounds (part 1)

By Dixie Hoover, site manager at Confederate Reunion Grounds

After a cold, wet winter, spring arrived at the Confederate Reunion Grounds, along with public visitors for events, programs, group use and camping, family reunions, weddings, Scout projects, volunteer projects, and work days. These activities kept site staff busy through the end of July, when a little cold and wet weather would be more welcome now than the first of the year.

Chautauqua & Coffee learning series , March 7, 2010

Discussion for southern quilts by historian Lynn Deal, site manager at Sam Bell Maxey House, and preservationist Robin Gilliam, site manager at Eisenhower Birthplace.

The Mexia chapter of Ducks Unlimited gathered in March for a meeting with the hope of catching a glimpse of wood ducks nesting in the trees on the grounds. When not searching for wood ducks, they enjoyed relaxing under the historic 1893 Dance Pavilion. The site is #23 on the Big Woods Loop of the Prairies and Pineywoods-West Great Texas Wildlife Trails.

Too Cool Racing used the site as part of an area bicycle race the end of March. Participants were required to leave their bicycles at the front gate and run through the site on foot to gather clues as part of the day’s activities. The shade trees around Miss Mamie Kennedy’s ruins provided a cool respite to look for clues.

The first of April found the Mother Earth Music Festival enjoying the cool shade of the bur oaks for camping, and evenings under the 1893 Dance Pavilion for jam sessions.

School Day 2010, Friday, April 16

The third weekend in April provided beautiful weather for the 16th annual Civil War Living History and Reenactment, hosted by the Friends of the Confederate Reunion Grounds. Next year’s event is scheduled to take place April 15-17.

Public Days Battle Reenactment, Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18

Texas Historical Commission’s Historic Sites Free Day, Sunday, April 16th featured Brian Burns in a live performance for “Once Upon a Time in Texas”

**The Confederate Reunion Grounds is located southwest of Mexia on FM 2705 in the Texas Brazos Trail Region.

Conserve to Preserve

By Laura DeNormandie-Bass, chief curator of the Historic Sites

You may have noticed that some artifacts are missing from Fort Lancaster and Fort McKavett’s visitor center exhibits. Over the last year, Texas Historical Commission (THC) staff has temporarily removed bottles, coins, buttons, armaments, saddles, and other significant fort objects for conservation. These artifacts were identified by curatorial staff for treatment as they were actively corroding, oxidizing, or degrading.

Before conservation

After conservation

Conservation is the technology by which art and artifacts are preserved. Conservation treatments slow down the inevitable degradation of natural and man-made materials and include electrolysis, desalinization, and dehydration baths and the application of natural and artificial sealants. These processes must take place at a scientific laboratory, and the THC has contracted with the Conservation Research Lab (CRL) at Texas A&M University at College Station to perform treatment on these artifacts. Once stabilized at CRL, all artifacts will be returned and re-installed at each fort’s visitor center.

Before Conservation

After conservation

The photographs below highlight the benefits of conservation. This important artifact is an oval metal identification tag that belonged to James Harris, Company A, 24th regiment. This company was stationed at Fort McKavett between July 1871 and August 1872. The tag is made of sheet metal alloyed with silver. Retrieved from Fort McKavett’s trash dump in the 1970s, the item was put on exhibit in 1978. By 2009, oxidative processes had set in and corrosion had extended over the entire piece, making it illegible.

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After conservation

Photograph courtesy of Texas A&M’s Conservation Research Lab of College Station, TX

Conservator Catherine Sincich at CRL removed corrosion from the tag’s surface first by simmering the tag for two months in low voltage electrolysis. After three boiling rinses, Sincich polished the piece with bicarbonate paste and fiberglass, and then sealed it with clear acrylic sealant. Now conserved, the tag is no longer reactive and the intricate eagle motif has regained its depth and texture. As long as the tag receives routine maintenance it could remain chemically stable for decades.

Landmark Inn Celebrates Independence Day

By José Zapata, Landmark Inn State Historic Site manager

Landmark Inn staff participated in Castroville’s 10th Annual Independence Day Parade by pitching in and working on the float over a period of three weeks. The float, a cardboard replica of the original Vance Hotel with the water tower in the back, was constructed with a variety of leftover cardboard, PVC pipes, string, and bailing wire.

This year’s parade featured fire trucks, color guards, school bands, antique cars, and floats from nearby communities. The Inn’s Maintenance Supervisor, Glenn Nuyttens, drove the tractor that pulled the float and Office Manager Sadie Torres distributed sweets to the children.

**Landmark Inn is located in Castroville, one block west of the Medina River bridge at the corner of Florence Street and Hwy. 90 in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

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