See the Sites

Maxey House and Starr Family Home Celebrate Reopenings

2012-01-25T10:22:00.001-06:00

After undergoing necessary restoration for more than a year, both the Sam Bell Maxey House and the Starr Family Home recently reopened their doors. Visitors can now experience the significant upgrades made to preserve these historic Texas gems.

Officially reopened at a ceremony in Paris on January 13, the Sam Bell Maxey House showcased its comprehensive exterior preservation work, including an exterior repainting; repairs to framing, wood siding, doors, and windows; stabilization of the pier-and-beam foundation; roof replacement; and installation of a new central heating and air conditioning system. The restoration project allows visitors to experience the elegant structure as the Maxey family did in the 19th century. A new interpretive plan is also underway to identify additional improvements to help educate visitors about the Maxeys’ experiences in the home.

The Starr Family Home in Marshall officially reopened on November 30. Upgrades to the main house, Maplecroft, included the addition of a central air conditioning/heating system, accessibility improvements, extensive carpentry repairs, and a complete repainting of the home’s interior and exterior based on a professional analysis of historic paint colors. Interior rehabilitation projects ranged from period-appropriate lighting fixtures to a visitor orientation area with changing exhibits. Other buildings at the site have also been repaired and repainted, and restrooms are now available to visitors.

In an ongoing effort to restore the Starr Family Home to its 1870s splendor, the site will temporarily close for tours January 25–February 8. During this time, the home will undergo a series of restoration projects, including installation of ingrain carpeting and chandeliers in the dining room and parlor, reconversion of a bathroom to its original use as a nursery, and overall painting and sprucing of the bedrooms.

Sam Bell Maxey House is located in Paris at the corner of Church and Washington streets in the Texas Lakes Trail Region. Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets, in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Victorian Holiday Cards at Varner-Hogg

2012-01-18T11:39:00.000-06:00

By Sue Miller, Varner-Hogg Plantation site manager

Last month, a group of creative, young visitors joined Varner-Hogg Plantation staff in celebrating the Christmases of the past by making authentic Victorian holiday cards based on examples from the 1800s.

During the craft, students learned that Christmas cards were not commercially produced on a large scale until the 1860s, and that many were small, homemade, and only printed on one side, like a postcard. Cards also lacked the famous images of Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa commonly seen today, and were covered in ornate pictures of flowers, nature, and children, as well as elaborate bits of fabric, fringes, and tassels.

After comparing several card samples, our eager designers went to work making their own Victorian Christmas cards, complete with dainty embellishments of lace doilies, ribbons, feathers, birds, and even a picture of the Loch Ness Monster! Once each student placed the finishing touches on their creation, the group was treated to a batch of homemade cookies and cider provided by the Varner-Hogg Friends group, leaving everyone with full bellies and a unique memento to share with friends and family in the spirit of a 19th-century holiday season.

Varner-Hogg Plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Fulton Mansion Student Interns Get to Work

2012-01-10T11:28:00.000-06:00

By Marsha Hendrix, Fulton Mansion site manager

The Friends of Fulton Mansion, with funding from the City of Rockport, are participating in a new student intern program in partnership with the Aransas County Education Foundation and the Aransas ISD. Three high school seniors began training in December to give tours and perform other special projects. These paid interns will work 10-15 hours per week during the school year, and potentially have the opportunity to continue working through the summer. The students are Victoria Garner, TJ Hill, and Johnna Ashcraft.

Each student will work on special projects during their internship. Johnna, as marketing specialist, will post to the Fulton Mansion Facebook page and distribute event materials throughout the community. Victoria will research and propose two new products for the gift shop as our retail specialist. TJ will gather materials about nearby places to eat and visit as our visitor services specialist.

Intern Johnna Ashcraft selects slides of the mansion restoration to have digitized for research projects and exhibits.

Fulton Mansion is located in the resort area of Rockport-Fulton, 30 miles north of Corpus Christi. The site is part of the Texas Tropical Trail Region.

Sam Rayburn House Museum Opens Joint Exhibit at the Sam Rayburn Museum

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000-06:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum

November 16, 1961 was a day heavy in the hearts of many. Early that morning, Dr. Joe Risser, Sam Rayburn’s personal physician, announced the Speaker’s death to the media gathered in his small Bonham clinic. The Speaker had been ailing since the summer, and had returned to Texas in September to recuperate. As his health diminished, local and national media reported on his condition on a daily basis. After testing at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas revealed that the Speaker was suffering from incurable cancer, the public collectively held its breath until the end came.

The fateful news of November 16, 1961 would precede the largest gathering of U.S. political leaders outside Washington, D.C. that the nation had ever seen. Rayburn’s November 18, 1961 funeral was attended by President Kennedy, Vice President Johnson, former Presidents Eisenhower and Truman, and a multitude of representatives from both houses of Congress.

In preparation for the funeral services, the Bonham police chief recruited 190 Texas Highway Patrol officers, county sheriff’s deputies, and local city police to assist with the crowds and direct traffic. Hotel rooms quickly filled and soon private citizens were asked to open their homes to the visitors. Most businesses closed for Rayburn’s funeral, except for cafes, which remained open to serve the many out-of-towners. The 10,000 residents of Bonham were joined by an additional 15,000 people in mourning the Speaker.

Fifty years later, the Sam Rayburn House Museum, in cooperation with the Sam Rayburn Museum, developed the exhibit “Laying Down the Gavel” to pay tribute to the Speaker. The exhibit opened at the Sam Rayburn Museum on the 50th anniversary of Sam Rayburn’s death, November 16, 2011. In a timeline format, the exhibit expands upon the events leading up to Rayburn’s death, his funeral, and preparations for the memorial services in Bonham. The effect of Rayburn’s death on the House of Representatives and in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas and the many honors bestowed upon Rayburn posthumously are also featured in the exhibit.

Several rarely seen photos, documents, and artifacts are on display. Exhibited documents include the typed transcript from the news conference announcing Sam Rayburn’s death, status reports regarding Rayburn’s health from Baylor and Risser Hospitals where Sam Rayburn was a patient, and photos of both the funeral and graveside services.

Also in recognition of the 50 years that have passed since Rayburn’s death, both museums co-hosted a progressive history tour on November 18. The progressive tour, based on the “Laying Down the Gavel” exhibit, included the Bonham Visitor Information Center, Creative Arts Center, Fannin County Historical Commission, Fannin County Museum of History, and the First Baptist Church of Bonham. Bus service provided free of charge by the Texoma Area Para-transit System allowed participants to easily travel from site to site. The event ended at the Sam Rayburn Museum, where attendees viewed the last two sections of the exhibit, artifacts, and film footage from the day of Sam Rayburn’s funeral.

The “Laying Down the Gavel” exhibit will remain on display at the Sam Rayburn Museum (800 W. Sam Rayburn Drive, Bonham) through January 7, 2012. The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located at 890 W. State Hwy. 56, two miles west of Bonham, in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

A Forgotten Period of Texas Civil War History Comes Back to Life

2011-12-14T10:15:00.000-06:00

By Cody Mobley, Fort McKavett State Historic Site

Living historians from 13 states traveled to Fort McKavett State Historic Site to commemorate the six months during the winter of 1861-62 that Fort McKavett was used as a temporary prisoner-of-war camp. On the weekend of November 18-20, 2011, participants in the event represented members of Co. E, 1st Texas Mounted Rifles and members of the 8th U.S. Infantry captured at the Battle of Adam’s Hill north of San Antonio in May 1861.

Daily life at the frontier fort was recreated based on period accounts and military protocol. The prisoners spent their time mending their worn clothing, visiting Sam Wallick’s sutler store, sleeping, or looking for a source of entertainment.

The Texans spent the event doing fatigue details, standing guard, visiting the sutler’s store, and trying to keep out of trouble. It wasn’t easy for everyone: a Texan private was brought up on charges during the event for disorderly conduct toward officers, profanity, insubordination on work details, shooting at fellow soldiers, and discharging a firearm in the barracks. He was sentenced to be hung by his thumbs for two hours on the parade ground to serve as a warning to the Texans and prisoners.

The rations for the event were based on what was seasonal and what was historically being shipped to Fort McKavett from San Antonio. The diet consisted of locally foraged venison, cabbage, potatoes, beans, canned tomatoes, and hard tack. Some of the participants gathered watercress from the springs.

Samuel Wallick was the post sutler during this period and was represented during the event by site staff. The stock of his sutler’s store was specially recreated for this event based on his ledgers and antebellum accounts from soldiers stationed at Fort McKavett during the 1850s. Each participant had $3 in sutler chits to purchase items from Mr. Wallick, gamble away, or to keep as a memento from the event.

For more information about the history behind this event, please visit the event website. Fort McKavett is located west of Menard on FM 864 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

Pioneer Day at Landmark Inn

2011-12-06T10:51:00.001-06:00

By Jose Zapata, Landmark Inn Site Manager

Young and old alike enjoyed a day-long journey into the past during Pioneer Day at the Landmark Inn. Held on Nov. 12, the weather was very agreeable for outdoor demonstrations. There were 14 exhibitors, all dressed in 19th-century attire and eager to demonstrate and discuss toy-making, hand tools, woodworking, laundry day, school house, outdoor cooking, wine making, and an assortment of military and old west displays. Most of the exhibitors were from Castroville, while others were from nearby Hondo, Uvalde, and San Antonio. We also had an exhibitor from Buchanan Dam and another from Brackettville.

The Buffalo Soldier camp was popular, as was their rocking horse. The laundry day demonstration was a big hit with the little ones, as they took turns working the “old time” washboard and clothes wringer. Hop-scotch and stilts were a favorite among young and old, as were hand-made lacing and quilt-making. The Landmark Inn’s historic buildings and grounds were a great backdrop for this event.

At midday, the exhibitors took a break and savored the food prepared by Carolyn and Vincent Biedeger, who demonstrated Dutch-oven cooking. Overall, Pioneer Day at the Landmark Inn was well-received and will be reinstated as an annual community event.

Landmark Inn State Historic Site is located in Castroville, approximately 20 miles west of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

Landmark Inn and Casa Navarro Join Forces at San Antonio’s Founders Day

2011-11-22T09:36:00.001-06:00

By Jose Zapata (Landmark Inn) and Maureen Brown (Casa Navarro)

Casa Navarro and Landmark Inn state historic sites were among the many exhibitors celebrating San Antonio’s Founders Day on October 22 at the Alamo. In its eighth year, San Antonio Founders Day celebrates the area’s rich cultural heritage through live music and dance; historical, cultural, and educational displays from more than 40 organizations; and hands-on crafts and educational activities for children. This was a free, family-oriented event, and we had plenty of local, national, and international visitors. Event organizers recorded more than 8,800 visitors to the event at the Alamo that day!

Landmark Inn staff set up a booth featuring a laundry area, photos, and a general store. Visitors of all ages had a great time in the laundry area, viewing the historic photos and the general store display.

The Casa Navarro (and Friends) booth featured two hands-on activities this year. One activity allowed visitors of all ages to sign their names with quill feathers and ink on a large sheet of paper. The aim was to provide a fun activity that connects the past with the present as well as awareness of the fact that José Antonio Navarro was one of two native Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Signatures at the event included visitors from all over the U.S., Canada, and China. We even had “Flat Stanley’s” signature.

Another “History Detective” activity involved searching for clues to Casa Navarro and Navarro’s past with copies of key historical primary sources and magnifying glasses.

We are looking forward to participating in next year’s event. Landmark Inn is located in Castroville, approximately 20 miles west of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region. Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva streets in downtown San Antonio, in the Texas Independence and Hill Country Trail Regions.

Young Texans Experience Living History at Fort Griffin

2011-11-09T10:17:00.000-06:00

By Mitch Baird, Fort Griffin Site Manager

Fort Griffin State Historic Site held its annual living history event last month, with a school day on Friday, October 7. The weather was windy with steady 20-30 mile-an-hour winds, but no one seemed to mind. More than 750 students and 120 teachers and parents traveled from as far away as Abilene and Oleny to attend.

To help educate the students, volunteers from all over Texas came to teach traditional activities, including stage coach rides, corn shucking and grinding, and laundry demonstrations. Oddly enough, teaching the students how to wash and iron clothes the old-fashioned way, with a scrub board and sad iron, was very popular!

The students also loved seeing the big longhorn steers on display and listening to tall tales of cattle rustling, drives, and stampedes. But most of all they seemed to be attracted to Drummer Boy Ice Cream, which was selling homemade ice cream, root beer floats, and more.

Another annual favorite is the large cannon and mortar from Fort Concho. This is always an exciting demonstration for the students because it is loud and produces lots of smoke. Bruce Frazer of Frazer Brothers Sutlery entertained the kids with tales of Indians and how to use an atlatl, while his wife, Gay, watched over the military clothing, buttons, and kepis for sale in their store. Overall, the school day was great success.

Saturday morning was met with clouds and the threat of severe weather. Who would have thought that during Texas’ most severe drought in 50 years, Saturday’s living history event would be washed out? Nonetheless, word was given early to “bug out if you don’t want to get wet!” Canvas dropped, cannons flew onto trailers, horses and stagecoaches flew off site, and within an hour and a half only a few brave souls remained.

About an hour later, the rain came and stayed for three days. In the end, we received 4.5 inches of much-needed rain. But Saturday was also the day that the Texas Forts Tour was due to ride through Fort Griffin, and by golly the cyclists still came—wet, cold, and hungry, but they still came. In the end, more than 62 riders stopped at the Fort Griffin rest stop to get a snack of fresh fruit and a drink before pedaling off in the pouring rain for the final 15 miles of the day’s ride.

By 4 p.m., only staff remained at the site. We all looked at each other and then the rain and laughingly agreed, “If this is what it takes to get rain, we’ll do it again next weekend!”

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

Preserving the Past at Magoffin Home

2011-11-01T10:17:00.000-05:00

By Leslie Bergloff, Magoffin Home Site Manager

For the last four months, the Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso has been undergoing a transformation. This historic adobe building has been the focus of an important preservation project that combines the materials of the past with the best preservation technologies of the present. The renovations will ensure that many more generations of visitors can be transported back in time to enjoy and learn more about the Magoffin Home and early Southwest history.

More than 50 El Pasoans have been hired to work with Stoddard Construction Management, Inc. on the project. The leaking roof is being replaced and the wood exterior trims repaired and repainted. Repairs to the adobe are also included in the work, along with updates to the electrical and mechanical systems. New drainage and grading around the building will prevent any more damage to the adobe bricks.

Each contractor is dedicated to making sure they meet all the requirements of the Antiquities Code as well as the Secretary of the Interiors standards for the preservation of historic buildings. It won’t be long before the home is open and in better condition than it has been for many years.

During a recent paint analysis, some unusual paint finishes were discovered. These “faux finishes” will be restored the building’s exterior doors, windows, and screens. This will more accurately represent the exterior of the Magoffin Home in the late 1800s, when the scoring on the plastered adobe was originally completed. The new paint will make the home even more authentic for visitors.

Community support has been positive throughout the project. People stop by to see what is going on and call to thank the Texas Historical Commission for making sure this El Paso treasure is being preserved. The outpouring of their encouragement and support shows the level of commitment the community has for preserving this historic site. Hardly a day goes by without someone asking when it will open again. Although the work will not be completed until spring 2012, it will all be worth the wait!

For updates and more photos of the project, go to www.facebook.com/visitmagoffinhome. The Magoffin Home is located in downtown El Paso and is part of the Texas Mountain Trail Region.

Students Get Spooky for Fulton Mansion

2011-10-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

By Cassie Dieterich, Fulton Mansion Educator

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site has announced its 2011 Spooky Stories Contest winners. Congratulations to Sapphire Rodriguez, middle school winner, and Juliet Jones, elementary school winner. The top two prize-winning stories along with eight semi-finalists’ stories will be published in the Fulton Mansion’s third annual Spooky Story booklet. The book is available for purchase year-round in the Fulton Mansion gift shop.

Read an excerpt of Sapphire Rodriquez’s story below. Find the complete story, along with Juliet Jones’ “The Ghost of the Fulton Mansion,” on Fulton Mansion’s Facebook Page.

Artwork by Larry Zink

The Haunted Bite
by Sapphire E. Rodriguez, Cunningham Middle School

It was one of those nights again. The light kept flickering off and on, the wind had a bitter holler and all I could do was take small steps up the stairs—stairs that so many had walked on and were never seen again.

“Why bother with this old house?” you may say. Trust me. It is something worth talking about. Over three thousand people have tried to solve the mystery of this abandoned house for over a hundred years, but none ever succeeded. They would go in on nights like this and never see the light of day again. I procrastinated before going down the hall of the house where all the bedrooms were. Whoever last lived in this house was a total mess. They also had left the windows open, which caused the wind to seep into the house, giving me an eerie feeling.

PAT! PAT! PAT!

What was that!? Slowly, long, white footprints started appearing. They kept going down the long narrow hallway until they stopped directly at a door. The door led to the highest window in the house and it was blocked with many thorns and overgrown vines.

“Deep breath—just take a deep breath,” I said to myself. I was there to find out the mystery of this old abandoned mansion, and I would come out with an answer. Continue reading the full story.

Fulton Mansion is located in the resort area of Rockport-Fulton, 30 miles north of Corpus Christi. The site is part of the Tropical Trail Region.

Before & After: Conserving Fort Griffin's Trunk

2011-10-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

By Laura DeNormandie-Bass, chief curator for the THC Historic Sites

A traveling trunk from Fort Griffin State Historic Site was recently conserved at Texas A&M University’s Conservation Research Laboratory in College Station. The trunk was treated for metals deterioration, wood preservation, and paper conservation utilizing Japanese rice paper and a cellulose-based adhesive.

This particular travel/steamer trunk is composed of a tinned steel shell with wood slats and small wheels embedded on the bottom. The trunk appears to have belonged to “Caleb B. Cupp” of Colorado, TX, and the lock is stamped “PAT’D Mar. 69 & Apr. 77.” The inside of the trunk was papered at least twice, the first time with a pale pink, heavily water-stained paper and the second time with a white/neutral paper with dark stippling.

View photos of the trunk before and after conservation below:

Before conservation

After conservation

Before conservation

After conservation

Before conservation

After conservation

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

Relive the Battle of Sabine Pass

2011-10-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Visitors to Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site can now visually experience the military action of September 1863, when members of the Davis Guard—led by Lt. Richard “Dick” Dowling—held off a Union attack at Sabine Pass, a key port for Confederate shipments of supplies. A new battle-scene viewer, just one of many recent improvements at the site, gives visitors a look at how events emerged as Dowling and his 46 men defeated the Union ships’ invasion.

New outdoor educational exhibits were also recently completed at the site, including text panels with maps detailing the important Civil War battle and the site’s continued role in coastal defense through the mid-20th century. New signs throughout the 58-acre site provide information on the important role Sabine Pass played in Texas history.

A highlight of the new outdoor exhibits is a scale model of the Civil War-era fort and battle, showing the positions of Confederate defenders and the Federal gunboats that unsuccessfully tried to sail up the pass. A viewing scope assists in sighting the historic Sabine Pass lighthouse that stands on the Louisiana shore. The new exhibits replace an installation destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Other improvements to the site include the installation of new flag poles, a gate at the site entrance, and directional signs.

Come explore these new features at Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site, located 1.5 miles south of the town of Sabine Pass on Dick Dowling Rd. and 15 miles south of Port Arthur. The site is part of the Texas Forest Trail Region.

100 People Brave 100 Degrees for Archeology Fair

2011-09-29T11:05:00.000-05:00

By José Zapata, Landmark Inn site manager

Despite the hot weather, Landmark Inn State Historic Site in Castroville hosted an Archeology Fair on August 20 that was attended by more than 100 area residents. Landmark Inn staff made the rounds to ensure visitors and guests stayed cool and hydrated.

The fair, organized by the Southern Texas Archaeological Association, featured staff from the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) instructing children on the basics of archeological investigation with a mock excavation. Staff also instructed visitors on how to use an atlatl (spear-thrower) and a Native American pump drill.

The day-long event included flint knapping demonstrations and artifact identifications. Visitors witnessed how arrowheads and other stone tools are made, and a few brought artifacts for identification.

The fair also featured presentations by two highly regarded archeologists. The morning presentation featured Dr. Steve Tomka, whose talk focused on recent excavations at St. Mary’s Hall and Brackenridge Park in San Antonio. Dr. Tomka is the director of the Center for Archaeological Research at UTSA. The afternoon presentation featured Dr. Tom Hester, who discussed the archeological record of South Texas with a focus on the Medina River Valley. Dr. Hester is an internationally recognized expert on stone tool technology.

Landmark Inn State Historic Site is located in Castroville, approximately 20 miles west of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

Maxey Swords Undergo Conservation

2011-09-14T10:20:00.000-05:00

By Caitlin Ammon and Lynn Deal, Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site

Sam Bell Maxey House has conserved a number of artifacts this past year. Since the house has been closed to the public for tours due to the current construction on the exterior preservation project, this was the perfect time to send artifacts to professionals for treatment. Two of the objects recently conserved were the Maxey House swords. They are usually on display in the room we call the library.

The more delicate of these two swords is actually a Mexican Army Officer’s dress sword. The scabbard is made of silver and plated in gold, while the sword itself is ornately decorated. The blade is engraved with a series of flowers and shields, and mother of pearl is inlaid on the handle.

You might wonder how Sam Bell Maxey came to own a Mexican dress sword. After graduating from West Point in 1846, Maxey began his career in the U.S. Army by fighting in the Mexican-American War. After the U.S. captured Mexico City, Maxey was one of five captains assigned to oversee the City Guard. As a captain, he lived with the mayor, or alcade, of Mexico City. As thanks for his service and protection, the alcalde presented Maxey with this dress sword.

The second sword that was recently conserved contrasts sharply with Maxey’s delicate, beautiful dress sword. This type of battle sword is commonly referred to as an “old wrist-breaker” because it was so heavy. Soldiers thought that if the sword was not used correctly, the weight of the sword could break a man’s wrist during a fight. Thus, this sword was designed to be battle attire rather than dress attire. As such, the battle sword looks very utilitarian when compared to the dress sword and is larger and heavier in order to be an effective battle weapon.

However, Maxey was a general during the Civil War, so he would not have carried this particular type of saber. The story that has been handed down is that Maxey was given the saber and scabbard from a soldier who served in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee on April 6, 1862. As it was common practice for both the Union and Confederate Armies to take weapons from fallen enemies during the Civil War as battle prizes, it is probable that a Confederate soldier would not want his sword to fall into Union hands and so he gave it to Maxey for safe keeping. Another interesting note about this sword is that the saber is of U.S. Army issue, while the scabbard is of Confederate issue.

The Sam Bell Maxey House is located in Paris at the corner of Church and Washington streets in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Dancing with the Caddo Culture Club

2011-09-07T15:34:00.000-05:00

By Jennifer L. Price, Caddo Mounds site manager

Each year, the Caddo Culture Club of Caddo Nation conducts an annual dance at the Caddo Nation Complex in Binger, Oklahoma to include other ally tribes such as the Cheyenne, Delaware, Kiowa, and Wichita. These tribes come together to conduct ceremonial, ancestral, and competition dances.

The songs and dances performed by the Caddo today date to ancient times. Some of the dances performed include the Straight Dance, Caddo Two-Step, Swing Dance, Fish Dance, and Alligator Dance. These dances are all performed to the beat of drums.

The Straight Dance is usually conducted as a competition dance with each individual’s colorful and well-designed regalia. The Straight Dance defines a story of hunting on a trail, or war party searching for the enemy.

The Caddo Two-Step is a fun, social dance for couples. The Swing Dance was also considered a social dance, in which a male would guide two women around in a circle. Traditionally, this dance was women’s choice, and if the man declined, it was considered an insult and bad luck for the man. The Fish Dance is predominately women shuffling in a circle, representing propagation or flirting.

The Alligator Dance represents a serpentine line of alternating men and women, ending in a coil-like counter-clockwise turn around the drum, representing the beginning and continuous flow of life.

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is located outside Alto, Texas, 26 miles west of Nacogdoches. The site is part of the lush Pineywoods landscape of the Texas Forest Trail Region.

The Dog Days of Summer at Varner-Hogg

2011-08-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

By Angela Pfeiffer, Curator at Varner-Hogg Plantation

Pets and people came out to Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site on July 31 to make the most of the summer sun during the site’s Dog Days of Summer celebration. Named for the days that Sirius, the Dog Star, was believed to be responsible for the hot summer weather, visitors and their furry friends were invited to spend the evening strolling several doggie walking trails while enjoying a variety of canine activities.

The festivities began with the opening of the trails and a special dog park that included toys, watering stations, and plenty of running space for rambunctious pooches and their owners. After exploring the site, families took part in the Dog Days Doggie Dress-Up Contest where fashionable Fidos, and even one cat, strutted their stuff before a panel of judges. First prize for best costume was awarded to Bailey the Golden Retriever, who wore a stylish red dress and matching bows.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the much-anticipated agility competition, where family members cheered on their favorite furry athletes as participants endured a grueling climb up a see-saw and a test of skill and speed through a line of weave poles. The course concluded with a gravity-defying high-jump hurdle, scaled by only the most determined racers. The competition was fierce, but in the end, the prize for top dog went to Copper for a record time of 13 seconds.

After enjoying a refreshing water and snack break, animals and owners alike wrapped up the day’s events by wandering through an exhibit about the many pets that have called the plantation home over the years, such as Miss Ima’s dog Buttons, Napoleon the horse, and Governor Hogg’s goose Polly. All in all, the afternoon was very eventful as everyone made new memories and new friends, and went home with a doggie bag of tasty puppy treats and the determination to be top dog in 2012.

Special thanks to Petsmart for donating the great prizes for our dress-up and agility contests!

Varner-Hogg Plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Fort Griffin's Tonkawa Pow-Wow Experience

2011-08-22T14:23:00.000-05:00

By Eric Abercrombie, Fort Griffin staff

The Fort Griffin State Historic Site staff had the privilege of attending the 2011 Tonkawa Tribe Pow-Wow in Fort Oakland, Oklahoma this year. The Tonkawa Indian tribe was once on a reservation in Fort Griffin, Texas. While here, many of them served as scouts for the U.S. Army and helped the Army accomplish its mission of eliminating hostile Indian threats in Texas in the mid-1870s. Fort Griffin was abandoned in 1881, and the Tonkawa were removed in October 1884. They were placed on reservation land in northern Oklahoma in 1885 and continue to reside there today as they carry on the traditions of their ancestors.

Tonkawa Camp at Fort Griffin

While we were visiting the tribe, we took the opportunity to look around their visitors center and museum. Inside, the walls are covered with black and white photographs and cases of artifacts that date as far back as the days of Fort Griffin. Some of the notable artifacts on display include Tonkawa buckskin leggings and moccasins, and a Spencer carbine rifle that was issued by the U.S. Army to a Tonkawa scout at Fort Griffin. There were several familiar photos of known Tonkawa scouts who were at Fort Griffin, but many more we had never seen before.

Tonkawa moccasins

Later that evening, I attended the first evening of a three-day pow-wow. The pow-wow consisted of singing, drumming, and dancing. Many of the dancers were very ornate in their regalia and had spent a lot of time and money preparing. One Tonkawa dancer told me that he had spent years working on his outfit.

There were obvious modern aspects to the pow-wow, but many traditional aspects as well. For example, the traditional, brush-covered shelter is still the preferred shade at the pow-wow, and the dancers in the traditional regalia looked almost identical to photos I’ve seen of the Tonkawa of the late 1800s.

Tonkawa Dancers, late 1900

Overall, we had a great time with the Tonkawa people and look forward to having them back at Fort Griffin for a visit. While at Fort Oakland, we had the opportunity to talk to the chief, Don Patterson, about joining us for the Fort Griffin annual living history event in October. He seemed very enthusiastic about bringing several people with him to share their story and culture with everyone at our annual event.

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

How Texans Stayed Cool in the 1800s

2011-08-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

By Jeff Campbell and Megan Maxwell, site staff

During a hot Texas summer, when temperatures soar to the 100s, staying cool rises to the top of a Texan’s priority list. With central air systems for our homes and air conditioning in our cars, beating the summer heat is not the challenge it was more than100 years ago. So how did Texans from the late-1800s and early 1900s keep cool?

Maplecroft, the centerpiece of the Starr Family Home State Historic Site, was built in 1871. Many of its architectural elements are found in other homes of this area to help residents deal with the summer heat.

Entering the house, the first thing to notice is the long main hallway with two rooms off to each side. This long hallway has a door on each end. When these doors were opened, it allowed the south-facing home to draw a breeze through the main hallway.

Standing in the hallway, it’s also easy to notice the high ceilings in the home. At 12 feet tall, they are much higher than ceilings in modern homes. These high ceilings allowed the warm air to rise, as cool air is heavier than warm air.

Entering one of the four rooms off the main hallway, there is a noticeable window above each door. This window is known as a transom. The transom can be opened to allow air to circulate throughout the house when the doors are closed.

Standing in the room, there are two noticeable elements to keep the house cool. The first is double-hung windows. The bottom window can be raised and the top window lowered to allow circulation of air throughout the room. The second is shutters, which were used to block the hot rays of the sun.

These are some of the main architectural elements that were used to keep cool in an age before air conditioning and electricity.

Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets, in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Texas Wildfires Get Dangerously Close to Fort Griffin

2011-08-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

By Mitch Baird, Site Manager

A wildfire broke out at Fort Griffin’s neighboring ranch, approximately one mile south of the site, on Tuesday, July 19. With winds shifting back and forth, there was a very good possibility that the wildfire might make it to Fort Griffin. Thanks to proper training and funding, the staff quickly switched from daily routines to emergency management. Firefighting equipment was readied, a hose was attached to the quick fill fire outlet, which was recently installed during the winter campground restoration project, and handheld radios were tuned to the fire department channels while vehicle radios remained on the THC channel. And then we waited.

As we listened to the firefighters, it gave me time to think about the past year’s training. Just last month, during our monthly safety meeting, we covered structure fires and fire extinguishers. This past winter we had a controlled burn, which gave the staff hands-on training with the firefighting equipment and experience with an actual fire.

I reminded the staff that they were not to put themselves in danger if the fire jumped the line and came onto THC property. Their safety was far more important than anything else. Luckily, the fire turned east and moved away from Fort Griffin. Air support in the form of helicopters soon arrived, drawing water from local tanks and the Clear Forks of the Brazos River, dropping it on hot spots.

By nightfall the wildfire was 100 percent contained, with 1,700 acres burnt. We were thankful that we once again dodged the wildfire bullet. But thanks to proper training and funding, we stand ready in case we are not so lucky next time.

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

Book Signing at Landmark Inn

2011-07-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

By José Zapata, Site Manager

Last month, the Friends of the Landmark Inn hosted a book signing for Priscilla DaCamara Hancock, whose recently released book, Medina County, was published by Arcadia Press.

Hancock spoke at the event, as did Col. USAF (Ret) Eddie Patrick and Col. USA (Ret) Richard Schott—both of whom are Medina County patriots featured in Hancock’s book.

Well over 60 guests were in attendance to have their books signed and enjoy the refreshments.

Landmark Inn State Historic Site is located in Castroville, approximately 20 miles west of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

Preservation Work Forges Ahead at the Maxey House

2011-07-21T16:11:00.000-05:00

By Lynn Deal, Sam Bell Maxey House Site Manager

The Sam Bell Maxey House exterior preservation project is in full construction mode. In addition to restoring the home’s wood exterior, preservation-related construction is occurring from the top of the roof to the bottom of the basement! The site also recently had six decorative exterior streetlights installed.

This exterior preservation project creates educational and recreational opportunities, and it will also enhance economic growth and development. Even though the project underwent a two-year planning stage and took another year to execute, it will ultimately preserve the house for many years—if not centuries—to come.

When the residence reopens to the public this fall, visitors will gain personal insights about former U.S. Senator Sam Bell Maxey and his family. Like many of today’s homeowners, Maxey’s experiences prior to building this house were complex and interesting. Sam and his wife Marilda had been married for 15 years when they built this home. Maxey had already served both the United States and the Confederate States of America. He had also gained experience as a court clerk, an attorney, and a district attorney. Through it all, he maintained personal relationships, including those of a husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the house is the brief window of time in which it was built. Construction began in 1867, just two years after the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction, a time when most people, particularly Southerners such as the Maxeys, had limited funds.

Part of the current construction project involves repairing, stripping, priming, and painting all of the decorative millwork that has been lost or damaged over the past 142 years. This includes the decorations on the top of the front porch capitals and under and around the hooded windows; the carved roof pediment; the widow’s walk; and the upstairs back porch railings. Repairing, re-staining, and returning the shutters to operational condition and repairing and painting the original windows—including repairing and reinforcing the original lead glass windows above the front porch door—are also in the works.

The 2010–11 construction project also involves extensive behind-the-scenes work, which will transition this traditional residential structure into a functional, 21st century museum. These structural changes require a very delicate balance, as the original intent of the home must remain while allowing modern technology to be introduced, creating a safe environment for the entire structure, its artifacts, and the public.

To achieve a balance between historic and contemporary needs, the original Victorian architecture has been modified so it accommodates items like a fire suppression system. Sprinkler pipes and heads and strobe lights (shown in the photo below) are being added as well. This technology will ultimately preserve and protect the home and its 10,000-plus original Maxey family artifacts. Additional improvements, such as better ventilation, will assist preservation and economic sustainability.

A grand re-opening to the public is currently in the works. Meanwhile, a specially designed, temporary exhibit entitled “Presently Preserving” is open to the public. The handicapped-accessible exhibit is located in the trailer on the grounds next to the parking lot. This exhibit details the story of the tremendous amount of work that was completed before the construction process could begin. The temporary exhibit is free and open 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday at 812 Church St. in Paris.

For more information, call 903.785.5716 or visit www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com. The Sam Bell Maxey House is located in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Young Texans Experience History in Action

2011-07-13T14:16:00.005-05:00

By Cody Mobley, Fort McKavett site staff

For the past four summers, Fort McKavett State Historic Site has worked in conjunction with the Texas State Historical Association to bring history to life for younger Texans. This year, 4th grade junior historians from the Dallas-Fort Worth area joined 4th graders from Menard to attend the week-long summer camp.

The focus of the “Old Stories, New Voices” summer camp is to expose Texas youth to the history of Central-West Texas. The week was divided into theme days: Native American Day, Hispanic Day, Buffalo Soldier Day, Nature Day, and Fort McKavett Day.

On Native American Day, Lipan Apache interpreters visited the campers and taught them about the Apache Scouts (U.S. Cavalry scouts) and the Lipan Apache who were indigenous to the area around Fort McKavett.

The campers also learned how to use a bow and arrow, and later that evening listened to the stories of a Lipan Apache storyteller.

On Hispanic Day, the campers visited the Presidio San Saba in Menard and learned about Spanish Presidiales and soldados de cuera. The Presidiales were Spanish soldiers stationed on the frontier at the presidios. The soldados de cueras (literal translation is “soldiers of the leather") were mounted soldiers who wore a quilted leather vest that served somewhat the same function as a bullet proof vest does today, although only effective against arrows.

During Buffalo Soldier Day, the campers learned about the role played by the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort McKavett, as well as the weapons and drills used by the soldiers.

Later that day, the companies played a game of baseball on the parade grounds. We used the 1845 rules in honor of Abner Doubleday (argued to be one of the inventors of baseball), who was stationed at Fort McKavett after the Civil War.

On Nature Day, the campers scouted and explored down the South Llano River in canoes. Later that day, they set up their tents and spent the night on location at the South Llano State Park in Junction, Texas.

During Fort McKavett Day, the campers learned about the Army in Texas prior to the Civil War as well as the buildings on site. They were especially interested in the 1874 cistern under the porch of the hospital building.

By the end of the camp, the participants were full of knowledge, but ready to go home!

Fort McKavett is located west of Menard on FM 864 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

Miss Margie’s Wicket, Wicket Croquet

2011-07-07T08:48:00.000-05:00

By Jeff Campbell, Starr Family Home staff

This summer, Texans will be out in backyards playing baseball and pitching horseshoes. In the late 1800s though, the games at the Starr Family Home State Historic Site were croquet and tennis.

For the 18th straight year, the Friends of the Starr Family Home celebrated the Victorian-era game of croquet by conducting “The Wicket, Wicket World of Croquet” tournament. This year’s tournament was bittersweet, as it was the first tournament held without its founder, Ms. Marjorie Perkins.

Ms. Perkins started the Friends of the Starr Family Home in 1986, shortly after the state began its stewardship. Serving as the board president for 25 years, she established the croquet tournament as a fundraiser. Ms. Perkins passed away in January of this year. In her honor, the tournament was renamed “Miss Margie’s Wicket, Wicket Croquet.”

Starr Family Home Office Manager Marylin Hocutt said, “The tournament was fun, but without Ms. Perkins it felt like something was missing.”

The 18-team tournament started at 9 a.m. on June 4 with temperatures that steadily rose into the upper 90s. After five rounds of sweat, celebration, and frustration, two teams advanced to the championship game. The team of Dare and Grant Westmoreland were victorious over three-time champions Bryant Perkins and Aurelio Ortiz, who settled for second place. Dare and Grant Westmoreland are direct descendants of the Starr Family.

Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets, in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Students from Near and Far Come to Learn About the Pacific War

2011-06-23T10:45:00.005-05:00

By Rich Koone, Education Director at the National Museum of the Pacific War

As you might expect, May was a busy month for the Education Department at the National Museum of the Pacific War. We had more than 2,000 students and chaperones from 38 schools visit us throughout the month. Most of them were from the San Antonio and Austin area, but this month they are also coming from as far away as Corpus Christi, Midland, and Fort Worth. We even had a group from Chicago visit in April.

As the educator here at the museum, the best part of my job is interacting with the students while I am conducting the living history program. Kids really do say the strangest things! When I am going over naval ship terminology and ask the students what the bathroom on a ship is called, there is always one student who answers, “the poop deck.”

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property located in Fredericksburg and is supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. The site is part of the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

Fort Griffin Celebrates Memorial Day and Renovated Campgrounds

2011-06-16T10:31:00.008-05:00

By Eric Abercrombie, Fort Griffin staff

Fort Griffin State Historic Site kicked off summer with its first Annual Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, honoring U.S. military and celebrating the grand re-opening of Fort Griffin’s newly renovated campgrounds. As part of this celebration, all military and their families enjoyed free entrance to the site through the Blue Star Museums program, which continues through Labor Day (Sept. 5). A number of fun, family-friendly activities were also held throughout the weekend.

On Friday, the festivities kicked off with the start of a weekend-long catfish tournament. In the afternoon, visitors enjoyed a longhorn presentation and guided fort tour as well as a campfire tales program later that evening. Of course, because of the unseasonably hot, dry weather, the campfire tales ended up being just tales with no campfire. During the program, we shared stories of outlaws and heroes, cowboys and Indians, and other wild tales of Fort Griffin in the late 1800s. To top it off, we had two members of the Texas Gunslingers in attendance who volunteered to illustrate a Wild West shootout!

On Saturday, the day started with a guided nature hike along Mill Creek Trail, during which we encountered a 3-foot-long rattlesnake along the trail. This encounter was a great lesson in the need to keep a sharp eye out when hiking in the woods. After the hike, we played water balloon toss with the kids and adults in an attempt to help our visitors cool off in the triple-digit heat.

That afternoon we hosted a horseshoe tournament followed by the Stars and Skies of Texas Star Gazing Party. Kurt Oliver from Woodson and astronomers from Fort Worth were there to teach and share their equipment with all of our attendees. There were 40-50 people in attendance, and everyone had a great time looking through the telescopes and twirling their glow necklaces!

The weekend finished off with a final catfish judging Sunday morning and a kickball game that afternoon. We received great feedback from our visitors and look forward to putting on more events in the future.

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

Texas Authors Lecture Series Kicks Off at Varner-Hogg Plantation

2011-06-09T10:28:00.000-05:00

By Angela Pfeiffer, Varner-Hogg Plantation Curator

Last month, Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site was pleased to host a discussion in the site’s new indoor programming room with distinguished professor and author Dr. Virginia Bernhard and her book, Ima Hogg: the Governor’s Daughter. Dr. Bernhard was the first speaker in Varner-Hogg Plantation’s Texas Authors Lecture Series.

Dr. Bernhard described what inspired her to write Miss Ima’s biography, as well as the different research sources she used for the project. She also shared some new information on Miss Ima’s life and loves from documents recently released from the Hogg Family Archives. She is currently compiling these new findings into a book on the Hogg family letters.

After answering questions from the audience, Dr. Bernhard signed several copies of her book and mingled with guests, staff, and Friends members, making for an entertaining and informational afternoon.

For information on upcoming lectures, please visit our events calendar. Varner-Hogg Plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Caddo Mounds Site Improvements

2011-06-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

By Jennifer L. Price, Caddo Mounds site manager

At Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, a cleanup project of the natural spring bed is currently underway. This spring was a prime resource for Caddo Indians from A.D. 700–1400, pioneers traveling along the El Camino Real de los Tejas, and Civilian Conservation Corps operations; later, it was the source of the Texas Forest Service's Indian Mound Nursery irrigation system for soil hydration. Today, managed by the Texas Historical Commission's (THC) Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, plans are in motion to provide future hiking trails leading visitors to the spring and other nearby features for an enhanced experience.

Another improvement at the site is the replacement of all property fences bordering the north side of Highway 21 with cedar split rail fencing. The fence was previously a combination of split rail and barbed wire. This project began in September 2010 with an archeological survey of the fence post holes to prevent any disturbance to sensitive archeological areas at Caddo Mounds.

Finally, a project that also began in 2010 will enhance the future of Caddo Mounds, visitor experiences, and Texas history. On April 26, 2010, the THC purchased the former 304 acres of the Texas Forest Service Indian Mound Nursery from Texas A&M University. This property is now being examined through the use of a magnetometer to identify any significant cultural remains beneath the soil. The magnetometer is a device capable of recording features under the surface of the ground that may indicate where the ancient Caddo Indians built houses or used cooking hearths. The survey is being conducted by Archaeo-Geophysical Associates, LLC.

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is located outside Alto, Texas, 26 miles west of Nacogdoches. The site is part of the lush Pineywoods landscape of the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Pacific Combat Living History at the Nimitz

2011-05-23T14:43:00.000-05:00

By Elizabeth Taylor, National Museum of the Pacific War staff

This Memorial Day weekend, the National Museum of the Pacific War will come alive with the sights and sounds of World War II as reenactors demonstrate and discuss the weapons, tactics, and strategy that won the war. Reenactments will take place three times a day on May 28 and 29 at the Pacific Combat Zone, located two blocks northeast of the museum. One of the highlights of the program is the use of a WWII-era flamethrower (shown below).

Nearly 2,000 people attended the previous weekend program during Spring Break, and museum staff has recently expanded the seating area to accommodate more fans. For more information and to buy tickets online, visit the museum’s website.

Also that weekend, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Courtyard of the museum. Commemorating those who have died in service, the event will include a performance by the Fredericksburg High School band, a rifle salute, wreath dedications, speaker Lt. Gen. L.D. Holder (Ret.), and a book signing with Thomas P. Ostrom, author of The United States Coast Guard in WWII.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property located in Fredericksburg and is supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. The site is part of the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

See the Sites for Free Sunday

2011-05-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

Don’t forget that this Sunday, May 15, is the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Historic Sites Day. Many state historic sites will be offering free admission all day in celebration of National Preservation Month. View a few of the sites below, and visit the THC website for more information and a full list of participating sites. Celebrate your local history and visit a state historic site for free!

Fort McKavett State Historic Site outside Menard

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site in Denison

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Alto

Fannin Battleground State Historic Site outside Goliad

Uncovering Starr’s Real Stories

2011-05-11T14:54:00.000-05:00

By Megan Maxwell and Jeff Campbell, Starr Family Home staff

In the past few months, the staff of the Starr Family Home has conducted research at the East Texas Baptist University Library, the Marshall Texas Public Library, the East Texas Research Center at Stephen F. Austin State University, and the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin.

Research reveals information a historian does not always expect. Available publications indicate one thing, yet the story often turns out to be somewhat different or more complicated. History books published in a specific time period not only tell about their subject matter, but are also a reflection of the times in which they are published.

Starr Family Home site staff researching Dr. Starr

For example, a booklet compiled in 1881 of Dr. James Harper Starr’s biographical notes contains little mention of slavery. The only mention is on page 4 of his notes on how he started to Texas with his wife and her servant (not slave) Tempie, in February 1834. Research in Austin revealed bills of sale that Dr. Starr had not only purchased Tempie but also six other slaves. Dr. Starr was writing about his memories during the time of Reconstruction in the South, when citizens and historians were framing how the stories surrounding the Civil War would be told.

In 1950, John Nathan Cravens wrote and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas published a biography of Dr. Starr. He states on page 120 that Starr once declared, “I never purchased a slave with the view of selling him again and shall never so purchase one.” The author continues by saying there is only one record of Dr. Starr selling a slave, named Watt, because the slave was habitually drunk. Recent research indicated that Dr. Starr bought a slave named Peter in 1862 and sold him in 1863.

Biographical notes and Cravens' biography of Dr. Starr

On pages 119 and 120 of James Harper Starr: Financier of the Republic of Texas, Cravens reveals Dr. Starr’s views on slavery: “As a boy in the North he had acquired anti-slavery sentiments, particularly from his mother.” [Page 119] As he experienced slavery in Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, his views changed. “He conceded that the slavery system did have its evils but held that time would correct them if the South were left alone.” [Pages 119 and 120] Research reveals a deeper conflict. Letters from Dr. Starr’s brothers in Ohio and Massachusetts show their strong abolitionist views and their fervent disagreement with Dr. Starr’s view of slavery.

These letters of strong disagreement also allow us to see how a family continued to love and care for each other while at the same time standing on opposite sides of a major conflict. Although these brothers’ views on slavery were in conflict, their love for one another kept them writing regularly to each other.

While books, periodicals, and other publications can reveal some truths, in-depth research of documents and letters can often tell us the rest of the story.

Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets, in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Restoration and Renovation at the Sam Rayburn House Museum

2011-05-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum

Changes are coming to the Sam Rayburn House Museum. A restoration for the site begins this month, which has been in the planning stages for several years and will positively impact both the appearance of the house and the physical structure.

In March, the community had its first opportunity to see the proposed architectural changes when the museum opened the exhibit, “Preserving the Speaker’s Legacy: Restoration and Renovation at the Sam Rayburn House Museum.” The exhibit highlights the multiple restoration projects proposed for Sam Rayburn’s home in Bonham and is also now available on the museum’s website.

Along with details of the renovation, the exhibit includes historic photos illustrating how the work will return the structure as closely as possible to its appearance in 1961, a significant year because it marks Rayburn’s death and therefore the last year he lived in the house. The home’s front porch, walkways, and screened-in porch will return to their 1960s appearance. Along with these changes, construction crews will replace rotting wood from the exterior walls and around the home’s windows. They will also modify and secure window screens and replace missing hardware from the doors and windows.

The museum’s visitors center will receive a facelift, too. Crews will enlarge the concrete walkway around the building, upgrade and modify the public restrooms, remove the chain link fence, and construct a new handicap-accessible sidewalk from the building to the house.

In addition to the proposed renovation of the house and visitors center, the “Preserving the Speaker’s Legacy” exhibit also features photos and text panels about the recent renovation of Rayburn’s garage, including installing heating and cooling systems, burglar and fire alarms, and thoroughly enclosing the building to protect against dust, pollutants, pests, and insects.

This renovation was necessitated by recent mechanical work done to Rayburn’s 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood. The car now is on display within the environmentally controlled and secured garage and is easily accessible to visitors thanks to the new concrete floor and interior modification that open more viewing space to visitors.

The “Preserving the Speaker’s Legacy” exhibit is on view at the Sam Rayburn House Museum visitors center and will remain open during much of the restoration project. Tours of the site are currently limited to the visitors center and are free.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located at 890 W. State Hwy. 56, two miles west of Bonham, in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Students Learn About Historic Downtown San Antonio

2011-04-27T15:42:00.000-05:00

By Maureen "Mo" Brown, Casa Navarro Site Manager

Last month, Casa Navarro State Historic Site welcomed a school tour of third to fifth graders from Burke Elementary who were focusing on San Antonio’s downtown structures, including historic buildings and their changes over time. I met them in Military Plaza/Plaza de Armas and led the tour from there to City Hall, where Mayor Julian Castro greeted the students and took photos with them. From there, we went to the Spanish Governor’s Palace and finally to the front of Casa Navarro. The photos below are from our tour.

Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva streets in downtown San Antonio, in the Texas Independence and Hill Country Trail Regions.

The Real Frontier Women of Fort Griffin

2011-04-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

By Mitch Baird, Fort Griffin Site Manager

Last month, Fort Griffin State Historic Site, Frontier Women’s Living History Association, and Fort Concho presented the 7th Annual Frontier Women’s Conference. The conference was held at Fort Concho in San Angelo, which once again allowed the women to use Officer’s Quarters 1 and 8 as well as the barracks and stables for no charge. Fort Griffin assisted with purchasing materials and hat frames for the projects, and the Frontier Women organized and presented the conference and prepared the meals.

The conference featured hands-on sewing workshops presented by Robin Gillian and Jane Lenoir, both from the Texas Historical Commission. Robin led the advanced seamstress in a pattern-draping workshop that provided the attendees with a basic pattern that could be modified for most dress styles from 1850–1880. Jane instructed the group of Girl Scouts from Midland and others on basic hand-sewing techniques and helped them get started on creating a period-appropriate skirt. They also learned how to decorate a buckram frame hat with period-correct materials.

The women from Fort McKavett organized a formal tea with music provided by a string trio of young living historians. In Officer’s Quarters 8, an area was set up where the women could sell or exchange items such as period clothing, shawls, purses, bonnets, gloves, crochet hooks, jewelry, and just about anything else a frontier lady might need. Meals included a light breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and an authentic Victorian lunch consisting of Chicken Fricassee (Thomas Jefferson’s own recipe), early spring green salad, green beans, peas, and apple pie. A light fare of luncheon meats, breads, and cheese was also served on Sunday.

The goal of the conference is to assist women interested in living history with correct interpretations of frontier women ranging from the 1850s–90s, allowing them to convey the real story of women on the frontier and dispelling the Hollywood image that is often times portrayed as truth. This year’s conference gathered women from as far away as Kansas, New Mexico, and Louisiana as well as many local Texas women. The conference is held annually on the second weekend of March, in conjunction with National Women’s Month.

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

Postmarks and Passports at San Felipe de Austin

2011-04-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

By Shelley Wong, Visitors Services Manager at San Felipe de Austin

Many historic sites participate in the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Celebration Station program, creating special, one-time use cancellations for those who attend events and programs. The commemorative postmarks are only available for a specified period of time. And like most things related to the postal system, these cancellations have an ardent following among philatelists. Collectors from all over the country and beyond monitor USPS postings about available cancellations.

During the 2010 Father of Texas Celebration at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, site staff partnered with the THC’s Marketing Communications division to design a commemorative postmark for the event, this being the 175th anniversary year of Texas’ independence. After the event was over and the site restored to everyday operation, the real fun began. Requests for the cancellation came pouring in, and the response was phenomenal. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of collectors who specifically sought to have our stamp added to their collection (apparently the Father of Texas still has some game).

Nearly 50 people sent in self-addressed stamped envelopes, representing 19 states and two foreign countries, including Canada, Belgium, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, New York, and more. The envelopes contained the papers or cardstock and instructions from the collectors as to how and where the postmark was to be stamped in order to be included in their prized collections. One of these requests, sent from Albion, Nebraska, came from a writer who had included a scan of the 1833 portrait of Stephen F. Austin in hunting regalia (painted by William Howard in Mexico City) on his envelope submittal. This request envelope also featured a Texas centennial stamp (see image below).

Staffers were inspired to participate in the program because similar cancellations had been done for past Father of Texas events, and because the Josey Store mercantile building (1840s), which currently serves as the site’s visitors center, was the community post office years ago. San Felipe de Austin’s Friends organization was so excited by the effort that they paid for postage so that site postcards with the cancellation could be given away for free to guests in attendance.

Stamping will continue to be a big part of the fun at San Felipe de Austin this year as the site celebrates the independence story by participating in the 175th Texas Revolution Anniversary passport program. As noted in a recent Houston Chronicle feature, visitors to the participating sites can get their passports stamped to record their support for the independence story. The San Felipe de Austin stamp incorporates the same artwork as our postal cancellation, which was taken from an image found on the 1928 obelisk on the site grounds.

The Celebration Station program is a great way to spread the word about special events, and who knows, it might even lead to a visit from a few of these collectors should they happen to find themselves traveling the Texas Independence Trail.

San Felipe de Austin is located in south central Texas, approximately 50 miles west of Houston. The site is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Presidents’ Day Weekend at Eisenhower Birthplace

2011-04-06T15:15:00.000-05:00

By Sylvia Rushing and Mary Crawley, Eisenhower Birthplace staff

Presidents’ Day weekend was busy at Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site. On Friday, February 18, second-grade students from Roundtree Elementary in Allen, Texas toured the site. View the photos below to see all the activity.

On Presidents’ Day afternoon, the U.S. Army color guard from Fort Sill, Oklahoma presented flags to Site Manager Robin Gilliam. The occasion marked the dedication of the new Eisenhower monument. Congressman Ralph Hall and County Judge Drue Bynum were speakers at the auditorium and at the dedication site. Congressman Hall made another unscheduled speech on the front steps of the Eisenhower Birthplace. The congressman is a World War II veteran and had met Mr. Eisenhower on several occasions.

Eisenhower Birthplace staff, from left to right: Mary “Chris” Crawley, Sylvia Rushing (seated), John Garbutt, and Jonathan Dryden. Robin Gilliam custom made the ladies’ dresses in 2009.

Roundtree Elementary students and teachers walking up the street to the Birthplace.

The students entering the Birthplace through the front door.

SMUDGE, our social rooster.

In the dining room, the tour guides read Smudge’s story for him. Smudge has written a story to guide the children through the Birthplace.

Chris Crawley and Sylvia Rushing explain to the students how Mrs. Eisenhower did her laundry.

Eisenhower Birthplace is located in Denison, approximately 75 miles north of Dallas. The site is part of the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Varner-Hogg Unveils New Visitors Center

2011-03-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

By Sue Miller, Varner-Hogg Plantation site manager

Last month, staff at Varner-Hogg Plantation welcomed friends and guests to the opening of our newly renovated Visitor and Programming Center. Many of our supporters, friends, and neighbors came to see the building and celebrate with us. Donna Williams, Historic Sites Division Director, joined Bill Ghant of Rep. Dennis Bonnen’s office, Gloria Milsap from Sen. Joan Huffman’s office, and Site Manager Sue Miller in cutting the red ribbon.

Guests toured the building room by room, as staff members answered questions. Many admired our new museum-quality track lighting in the gift shop and exhibition room. Others thought our new offices gave staff a great working environment. After the tours, visitors were treated to cake, coffee, and punch in the new programming area, provided by our Friends and Volunteers group. Even our cake celebrated Texas and the great stories we tell here at the plantation!

Varner-Hogg Plantation is just one of the many historic sites with new spaces and updated facilities that assist in educating the public about Texas history. We’re excited about the new opportunities this space provides us and we look forward to new programming, lectures, and workshops in the coming months.

Many thanks to THC architect Glenn Reed and project manager Ellen Colfax for all their hard work on this project.

Make a visit to Varner-Hogg Plantation this spring and enjoy all we have to offer. The plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Sam Rayburn’s Cadillac Returns Home to Bonham

2011-03-23T10:05:00.000-05:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum staff

After a year-long mechanical restoration, Sam Rayburn’s 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood is once again on display at the Sam Rayburn House Museum in Bonham. The vintage vehicle specialists at Hatfield Restorations in Canton, Texas repaired the engine and brake system, and the car is now on exhibit and ready to participate in local parades and appearances at festivals and events.

Following a generous donation to the Friends of Sam Rayburn, restoration work began on the Cadillac in September 2009. While the Cadillac was off-site, the Texas Historical Commission and the Sam Rayburn House Museum contracted with several companies to retrofit the historic garage where the vehicle is housed. Deterioration of the historic 1916 structure, combined with the need to preserve the Cadillac, led to the garage restoration. Work on the structure included replacing rotten wood, replacing the exterior doors, installing heating and cooling elements, and installation of interior lighting and a fire and security system. Visitors now have better access to the Cadillac, with the addition of a viewing space and exhibit area on the west side of the garage. With the new mobility of the vehicle, the museum staff can move it out of the garage during special events and drive it in local parades.

Garage exterior pre-renovation

Garage exterior post-renovation

Garage interior pre-renovation

Garage interior and Cadillac post-renovation

Mr. Sam’s Cadillac has been a part of the Sam Rayburn House Museum since 1975, and its story begins with Mr. Sam’s election to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1940. One of his perks as speaker was a congressionally funded limousine and chauffer.

After losing his position as speaker in 1947, Rayburn also lost the limousine. Preferring to save his money rather than buy himself a new car, Mr. Sam chose to take cab rides and walk to and from the Capitol building. Several fellow House Democrats offered to buy him a car, but he rejected their offers, citing his many years as an honest public servant, never taking large gifts that could be misconstrued as bribes. If a gift were to be accepted, Mr. Sam stipulated that no one could pay more than $25. Rayburn’s friend, Congressman Frank Boykin of Alabama, asked all the Democrats in the House of Representatives to each donate $25, and 142 members obliged, making Mr. Sam the proud owner of a new Cadillac Fleetwood.

After Mr. Sam’s death, his family sold the car to E.B. Chapman of Sherman, Texas. When the Sam Rayburn House Museum opened in 1975, Chapman donated the car to the museum, where it has remained on display.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum has a new exhibit that showcases photographs of the garage and Cadillac before, during, and after restoration. The exhibit will also detail the planned house renovation that is scheduled to begin in May 2011.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located at 890 W. State Hwy. 56, two miles west of Bonham, in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Landmark Inn’s 15th Annual Kid Fish

2011-03-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

By José E. Zapata, Landmark Inn site manager

On Saturday February 26, Landmark Inn State Historic Site hosted the 15th annual Kid Fish, sponsored by the Friends of the Landmark Inn. Several Friends members were in attendance to hand out hot cocoa, and the Landmark Inn staff was assisted by friends and family, as well as staff from Casa Navarro. Local vendors donated door prizes consisting of fishing kits, free meals, and gift cards.

A total of 322 children signed up for the event, which was held in the mill stream that had been stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout. Boy Scout Troop 471 of Castroville provided the cane poles and bait, and assisted the children with baiting and collecting the fish that were caught.

A tent was set up in the waiting area, where the children were able to enjoy several hands-on activities, such as wool carding and spinning, calligraphy, artifact sorting and identification, and making their own ball and cup toy. A few visitors were even treated to a tour of the 1840s Grist Mill.

Landmark Inn is located in Castroville, approximately 20 miles west of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

Restoring the Beauty of the Maxey House

2011-03-10T12:18:00.000-06:00

By Kristie Lee, Sam Bell Maxey House staff

My name is Kristie Lee and I’m the new administrative assistant at the Sam Bell Maxey House in Paris. Currently, the Maxey House is under renovation, and I’ve been watching out my window every day as more and more activity goes on around me.

I’ve watched construction crews take the roof off of the mudroom and replace it, and take boards off of the side of the house with a crowbar. I’ve also watched them chipping the mortar off the bricks in the chimney and removing the widow’s walk from the top of the house. I’ve even learned which construction workers run from you when you walk out the door with a camera to take pictures of all the wonderful work they are doing!

I cannot wait for this grand old house to get her good looks back. When I was young, it was a big deal to come to the Maxey House and have a party. I have memories of my grandmother getting ready to go to the Maxey House on Saturday afternoon to attend a tea with her white gloves on. One year, my mom and I dropped her off at the house, and that was the first time I entered the Maxey—right through the front door! I still remember admiring the silver tea service and white linen tablecloths. I believe the house was decorated for Christmas, because I remember the red velvet bows and poinsettias everywhere. I was inside for maybe all of 10 minutes, but the elegance and special atmosphere of this Maxey House memory has always remained with me.

For way too many years, we’ve driven past this house and hoped for someone to come in and make it beautiful again. I’m so glad to be a part of the wonderful team working here to bring about those changes.

The Sam Bell Maxey House is located in Paris at the corner of Church and Washington streets in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Artifacts Get a Freezing Treatment at Starr Family Home

2011-03-03T11:19:00.000-06:00

By Jeff Campbell, Starr Family Home State Historic Site staff

Why would a historic house or museum need a walk-in freezer? A house museum is not in the grocery or restaurant business, however, a freezer is important for a different reason. It is used to kill insects and microorganisms in rugs, curtains, books, and other textile or paper artifacts.

Freezing is preferred over traditional methods, which can cause a number of problems for both the artifact and the museum staff. The chemicals contained in pesticides can damage the artifact and fumigants can induce chemical changes. These chemicals can also result in short-term or long-term health problems for museum staff. Once the chemically treated artifact is back on display, it could also affect the health of museum guests. Using the freezer eliminates the potential for all these situations.

At Starr Family Home State Historic Site, artifacts are first wrapped in plastic and then sealed with tape, to keep moisture out.

They are then stored and frozen for at least two weeks at a temperature of –10 degrees. This temperature and time frame will ensure that all insects and microorganisms present in the artifacts are eliminated.

Some artifacts are not suited for the freezing process. Artifacts containing plastic can become brittle. Metal and glass should not be frozen because they are non-absorbent materials. Also, artifacts that contain glue or finished surfaces, such as lacquered wooden objects or finished furniture, should not be frozen as their materials may react differently.

In the future, the freezer will be an asset not only for Starr Family Home but also the East Texas museum community. If any other museum would like to use the Starr Family Home freezer, please contact Site Manager Whit Edwards.

Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

An Evening of Success at Varner-Hogg

2011-02-23T10:58:00.000-06:00

By Sue Miller, Varner-Hogg Plantation Site Manager

The first ever Varner-Hogg Volunteers and Friends holiday fundraiser was a great success thanks to our community and visitors. The night of December 4th was a balmy evening; not exactly winter weather, even for Texas, but it set the stage beautifully for our event.

Visitors were greeted by staff as they walked through the gates and saw the entire plantation decorated for the holidays. Among greenery, twinkling white lights, candles, and lanterns, guests listened to live music and munched on wonderful food. Calzones and cookies, shrimp and egg rolls, meatballs, and more were available at five food stations. And let’s not forget the German cookies, carrot cake, chocolate torte, and tarts for dessert.

Visitors leisurely strolled through the plantation house, where docents dressed in period costumes explained the holiday decorations in each room and how they reflected a 1800s Texas Christmas. Others took advantage of the full house tours.

Our silent auction presented a great selection of affordable items such as books, gift baskets, locally made wine, gift certificates to restaurants, and more. The auction alone raised over $300!

Wassail and mock champagne were the hit of the evening at the drink table, and visitors took time to sit at the conversation tables to eat, drink, and be merry.

Many thanks to our Friends members, volunteers, and the many businesses who donated supplies. This event would not have been possible without their support. A special thanks to staff who worked above and beyond to make this event a success. Funds raised will allow us to offer new programming for both children and adults.

Varner-Hogg Plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Nimitz Museum Welcomes Veteran Hiking for Heroes

2011-02-16T10:27:00.000-06:00

By Elizabeth Taylor, National Museum of the Pacific War

Last month, the National Museum of the Pacific War received a visit from Troy Yocum, a Gulf War veteran hiking across the country with his dog to raise money for military families. Yocum marched into Fredericksburg beating his drum on Sunday, January 23, and stopped at the National Museum of the Pacific War, where dozens of people awaited his arrival. He spoke to the crowd about why he started this journey, sharing a personal story about his grandfather who was also a veteran but did not seek treatment when he came home.

The goal for his “Hike for our Heroes/ Drum Hike” mission is to walk 7,000 miles across the country to raise $5 million. Along the way, he collects signatures to raise awareness. But his petition is not like any you’ve seen—he collects the signatures on a Louisville Slugger. So far he’s gotten signatures from Jay Leno, Diane Sawyer, and many mayors along the way.

Troy and his “superdog,” Emmie, have been walking for nine months and have raised $125,000. There have been struggles—including a near-death experience for Emmie, who luckily underwent surgery and is now starting to walk again. Yocum has been fortunate to find citizens along the way willing to offer him a bed each night.
For more information on Yocum’s organization and cause, please visit his website at drumhike.com.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property located in Fredericksburg, Texas and is supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. The site is part of the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.

From Dusk till Dawn at Caddo Mounds

2011-02-07T17:17:00.000-06:00

By Jennifer L. Price, Caddo Mounds site manager

At dusk, the burial mound (right background) at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is enhanced with diminishing rays of shimmering sunlight just before a quiet, calm evening settles across the site.

During the night, wildlife is abundant at Caddo Mounds. These white-tailed bucks are admired by both nature enthusiasts and hunters alike. Deer hunting, however, is not allowed on state property, so when deer are present they are protected by law.

At dawn, the burial mound at Caddo Mounds comes alive in bright color as a new day begins.

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site is located outside Alto, Texas, 26 miles west of Nacogdoches. The site is part of the lush Pineywoods landscape of the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Conserved Artifacts Arrive at Fort McKavett

2011-01-31T11:49:00.000-06:00

by Cody Mobley, Fort McKavett State Historic Site curator

On December 28, 2010, Fort McKavett State Historic Site received a late Christmas present—68 recently conserved artifacts. These artifacts were removed from Fort McKavett at the request of curatorial staff and taken to the Conservation and Research Laboratory at Texas A&M in College Station over the past two years. Kerri Wilhelm, Curator of Archeology for the THC, arrived with five boxes of conserved artifacts in tow.

Site curatorial staff began the mount-making process after the new year. Using acrylic for the mounts, as well as techniques learned through a one day workshop with the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s mount-making department, the staff of Fort McKavett got to work. The goal is to have all the restored artifacts in place by Fort McKavett’s West Texas Heritage Days celebration on March 25–26.

The following photos demonstrate the necessary steps to make a mount for one of the artifacts in our museum. This particular artifact is especially unique, as not only is it positively identified as belonging to a soldier stationed at Fort McKavett during the 1870s, it belonged to a soldier in the 24th U.S. Infantry—a Buffalo Soldier. This identification tag is of a design created during the Civil War for use on personal luggage. Its patriotic motif was popular with soldiers and civilians alike. Whether Pvt. James Harris used this tag on his personal baggage or on his person as a pseudo “dog tag” is unknown.

First, the original mount for the artifact is removed from the wall in the museum and the substrate is reused with the new mount.

Apparent in this photograph is the wax used to mount the identification tag when it was initially installed by Texas Parks & Wildlife during the 1970s. The grayscale image will be removed from the substrate and a color photo of the conserved identification tag will be inserted in its place.

The new acrylic mount must be designed to support the conserved artifact without being too obtrusive. Measurements and sketches are made with this in mind.

The overall shape of the tag is traced onto archival quality, acid-free paper. This tracing will be used in the mount-making process to shape the acrylic.

The acrylic is cut with a band saw into the basic rectangle shape, the sides are squared up on a belt sander, and the strip is heated and shaped using a heat gun. Once the acrylic has cooled, the profile of the tag is traced onto the acrylic and shaped with a belt sander. The “shelf” the artifact will rest upon is cut out of the acrylic sheet, sanded square, heated with the heat gun, and molded to the profile of the tag. All the sanded edges of the mount are then treated with a torch to clean up the sanding marks and improve the clarity of the edge of the acrylic.

Finally, the artifact and mount are re-installed in the Fort McKavett museum.

Visit Fort McKavett State Historic Site to see the results of the THC's conservation efforts, not only in the museum, but outside as well. Site staff recently finished whitewashing the buildings and are currently giving the woodwork a new coat of paint.

Fort McKavett is located west of Menard on FM 864 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

Sam Rayburn House Museum Celebrates 1947

2011-01-26T12:39:00.000-06:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum

Last month, the Sam Rayburn House Museum celebrated the year 1947 during its annual Holiday Open House on December 16–18. The event featured themed house tours on Sam Rayburn’s political career in 1947 and activities at his Bonham home in 1947.

The year 1947 was a pivotal time for Rayburn, or Mr. Sam as he was known. Having made continuous strides in the political landscape, Mr. Sam suffered a setback when the 1947 Congressional session opened in January. Mr. Sam probably agreed with his friend President Harry Truman when he coined the term, “Do Nothing Congress” for the 80th Congress (1947–1949). Many of the forthcoming difficulties were a result of the November 1946 elections, which put the Republicans in power in Congress. After serving as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1940, Mr. Sam, a Democrat, lost his position to Republican Congressman Joe Martin of Massachusetts. Mr. Sam’s Democratic colleagues encouraged him to accept the nomination as the House Minority Leader, which he did, and in doing so became a much more vocal presence on the House floor. Throughout 1947, Mr. Sam waged battles against the Republican majority as they supported cutting the budget of Mr. Sam’s rural electrification and soil conservation projects, strict organized labor bills, and cutting President Truman’s proposed budget.

Mr. Sam (center) is presented with the keys to his new Cadillac on the steps of the Capitol building on January 30, 1947. Also shown are Congressman Frank Boykin of Alabama (left), who headed up the committee to procure the $25 donations, and Congressman and House Minority Whip John McCormack of Massachusetts (right). Photo credit: Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama

Mr. Sam did receive some good news during this time. After losing his congressionally funded limousine to the new Speaker Martin, 142 of his fellow Democratic Congressmen, who were instructed by Mr. Sam not to spend more than $25 each, all contributed and bought him a 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood. The presentation of the car was a day of great pride for Mr. Sam, realizing that though he may no longer be “Mr. Speaker” he was still considered “Mr. Democrat” by his many friends in the House. He used the vehicle while in Washington during the 80th Congress as the House Minority Leader and again when he lost the Speaker’s gavel to the Republicans in 1953. The car is now on display at the Sam Rayburn House Museum, as it has been since 1975 when it was donated by E.B. Chapman of Sherman, Texas. It recently underwent a mechanical restoration that took one year to complete. Restored to its 1947 appearance, the Cadillac is one of the most visible and popular symbols of the museum.

During the Holiday Open House, visitors enjoyed free museum admission and were treated to historically appropriate Christmas décor that replicated the style of the Rayburn family, including poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and candles. Baked pumpkin pie was on the table and scented the air in the breakfast room. And as though the Rayburns’ cook Bobbie Phillips was at work preparing Christmas dessert in the kitchen, the smell of sugar cookies drifted throughout the room.

Visitors were able to mingle and relax in the visitors center and were invited to sample refreshments appropriate to a 1947 Christmas celebration. Mr. Sam’s official Speaker of the House china, a gift to him from the 1940 Texas delegates in Congress, was on display in the exhibit gallery. Mr. Sam brought the china home to Bonham in 1947 after he left the Speaker’s office and dining room to Speaker Martin.

The Holiday Open House was a success thanks to our great volunteers, donors, and visitors.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located at 890 W. State Hwy. 56, two miles west of Bonham, in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Farming Heritage Day at the Sam Rayburn House Museum

2010-12-30T09:49:00.000-06:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum

Sam Rayburn House Museum hosted Farming Heritage Day on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The event offered visitors the opportunity to take part in farming activities, farm chores and dairy foods preparation, games, coloring activities, and hands-on demonstrations. Visitors also enjoyed free dairy treats such as cheese and ice cream.

Farming Heritage Day was developed to share Sam Rayburn’s love of farming and rural life with members of the contemporary community. The event included programs for both children and adults.

In tribute to Rayburn’s farming heritage, the event featured a cattle judging activity. As a Jersey cattle breeder, Rayburn had to know how well a cow could produce milk and reproduce offspring just by examining it. His cattle were considered some of the best in the region and known to give milk with a very high butterfat content, making them highly coveted at auction. In his later life, Rayburn began raising Polled Herefords for meat production. During Farming Heritage Day, participants learned about the traits that determine a good quality beef cow. Visitors then judged the cattle for themselves and entered their cattle score card for a chance to win movie tickets.

Farming Heritage Day activities included stations where visitors could learn to play lawn games, such as horseshoes and croquet along with Rayburn’s favorite game, dominoes. In his spare time, Rayburn preferred the simple aspects of rural country living, such as fishing, riding his horse throughout the nearby fields, and spending time with his family. One of the Rayburn family’s favorite activities was playing dominoes. They often gathered together in the home’s sitting room to play a domino game.

After Rayburn installed electricity in his home in 1935, the family eagerly added modern conveniences. A freezer was added and Lucinda Rayburn, Sam’s sister, was highly enthusiastic at the prospect of being able to make and easily keep frozen ice cream at home, something that they were unable to do previously. To add flavor to her vanilla ice cream, Lucinda often added Grape Nuts cereal to it to mimic the flavor of actual nuts. Visitors to Farming Heritage Day assisted in making homemade, hand churned ice cream and sampled it.

The Bells High School FFA from Bells, Texas gave a demonstration of the parliamentary procedure, something that Sam Rayburn was well-versed in. Other hands-on activities included farm chores, cornhusk doll-making, soil and water conservation, vegetable gardening, cotton seed planting, harvesting, and ginning along with demonstrations regarding popcorn and chickens.

For more information about Farming Heritage Day or the Sam Rayburn House Museum, contact Marion Wilson at 903.583.5558 or email marion.wilson@thc.state.tx.us or visit the museum’s website.

** The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located at 890 W. State Hwy. 56, two miles west of Bonham, in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Landmark Inn and Casa Navarro Join Forces at San Antonio’s Founders Day

2010-12-13T10:28:00.000-06:00

By Jose Zapata, Landmark Inn site manager and Maureen Brown, Casa Navarro site manager

On Saturday, October 23, Casa Navarro and the Landmark Inn were among the many exhibitors celebrating San Antonio’s Founders Day on the grounds of the Alamo. In its seventh year, San Antonio Founders Day serves to celebrate the area’s rich cultural heritage through live music and dance, historical reenactments, educational displays, and loads of fun for the little ones. This was a free family-oriented event and we had plenty of local visitors, others from throughout the U.S., and international visitors. Event organizers recorded more than 11,800 visitors to the event at the Alamo that day!

The Landmark Inn booth featured a “wheel of history,” which depicted several key elements of the historic inn. Assisting this year were Glenn Nuytten and his son Levi, Sadie Torres, and Libby Tschirhart. Libby wore a traditional Alsace dress and produced the wheel’s artwork. Visitors young and old had a great time spinning the wheel and winning prizes.

The Casa Navarro (and Friends) booth featured a hands-on activity that allowed visitors to sign their names with quill feathers and ink on parchment. The aim was to provide a fun activity that connects the past with the present and to provide an awareness link to the fact that Jose Antonio Navarro was one of two native Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. He spent much of his life writing and advocating for Tejano rights in Texas. Assisting this year included Sarah Salinas, Mark and Ceira Kohnitz, Robert Alvarado, and Rosemary and Jerry Geyer. Visitors of all ages practiced signing their names, including Dr. Felix Almaraz, noted historian of Tejano history and UTSA history professor (shown in photo wearing a robe). We are looking forward to participating in the event again next year.

**Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva street in downtown San Antonio in the Texas Independence and Hill Country Trail Regions

**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.

Young Stars in Marshall, TX

2010-12-03T08:51:00.000-06:00

By Whit Edwards, Starr Family Home State Historic Site

Junior Docents underwent collection preservation training on October 16 at the Starr Family Home. The high school girls are receiving training so they can assist with the packing and care of the artifacts in the Starr Home. The training was conducted by Megan Maxwell, Jeff Campbell, and Adella Jackson of the Starr Family Home staff.

The Junior Docents that participated in this training exercise were: Amanda Warwick, Estrella Calderon, Samantha Herman, Catherine Mottershaw, Jessica Smith, Miranda Green, Aisha Thomas, Ellen Bray, and Anna Craig.

The girls learned about different methods of care required for the artifacts based on the composition of the artifact. Glass, paper, cloth, and leather all have unique features that require unique ways of handling. Each item was documented with a written description before being carefully wrapped and boxed away for safe keeping.

** Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Fall Harvest at Varner-Hogg

2010-11-19T15:28:00.001-06:00

by Sue Miller, Varner-Hogg Plantation site manager

This year’s Third Annual Harvest Festival at Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site included scarecrows, hayrides, cane tasting, and even a marriage proposal! One guest brought his daughters, along with his girlfriend’s daughters, all dressed in pink and black for a photo session that included a marriage proposal. He had his girls holding signs that spelled out “Will you marry our daddy?” A photographer was there to commemorate the moment, as he planned to get down on one knee and propose. Staff even got to see the engagement ring. We hope she said yes!

The evening also featured a visit from donkeys Pablo and Duke, who educated families about the different roles of plantation animals in early Texas.

Additionally, kids experienced what it was like to pick cotton (and fill and weigh a cotton sack), designed two different crafts, and enjoyed storytelling with the local librarian.

The night was fun for all, and both staff and visitors alike are looking forward to celebrating the spirit of the harvest in 2011.

**Varner-Hogg Plantation is located two miles north of West Columbia on FM 2852 in the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Archeology Month Program and Star Party at Fort McKavett

2010-11-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

By Cody Mobley, Fort McKavett staff
October 9, 2010 was a busy day for site staff at Fort McKavett State Historic Site. I presented an archeology program at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the archeological surveys done on site during the years of 1969-1982. On display were examples of original artifacts which were uncovered during these excavations, as well as donated artifacts with provenance to the site.

Throughout the day, visitors observed experimental archeology in action as flint knappers created reproduction stone tools, arrowheads, and spear points using original methods and techniques. I spoke to the visitors about period woodworking techniques and demonstrated how these methods would have been used by the soldiers stationed at Fort McKavett during the mid-19th century in the construction and upkeep of the buildings onsite. A mock archeology dig kept the junior archeologists, assisted by site staff, busy for most of the day.

Later in the day, the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society held their biennial Star Party. These events occur in the spring and fall on the weekend closest to the emergence of a new moon. After the sun went down, visitors began lining up for their turn to peer through the high powered telescopes and witness the enormity of the galaxy firsthand.

**Fort McKavett is located west of Menard on FM 864 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

Taking Casita Navarro to the Community

2010-10-29T12:34:00.000-05:00

By Maureen (Mo) Brown, Casa Navarro site manager

Casa Navarro State Historic Site staff, Friends, and volunteers built a “Parque de Casita Navarro” as part of the two-day “First Annual San Antonio Park(ing) Day” event on Sept 17-18. The event was organized by the San Antonio Architectural Foundation as part of the international “Park(ing) Day” events that occurred in cities worldwide and in more than 140 cities around the U.S. parkingday.org.

San Antonio‘s standard metered parking spaces were temporarily transformed into innovative public open-space green parks for creative socializing. The event was located along the street from Casa Navarro, next to the popular Pearl Farmer’s Market.

We created “Parque de Casita Navarro” to include a specially built little house (“Casita Navarro”) for this occasion and to use in other outreach events. The little casa was made to be lightweight, transportable, and easily assembled by using two sheets of 8x4-foot plywood. One sheet was used for the house front (cut in half and hinged in the middle) and the other was for the roof, front door, window shutters, and porch floor. We also made a front porch railing.

In addition to the “casita,” our temporary park included a lawn of Astroturf loaned to us by the Via Metro staff, as well as flowerpots, benches, and traditional board games (i.e. chess and dominos) for the public to hang out, play, and enjoy our park. We also handed out brochures for Casa Navarro, Friends, and the THC. This was a great event to highlight temporary innovative green spaces and historic house sites as traditionally being green.

We had fun with our local partnering organizations in the process of creating the parks, sharing them with each other and the public, and getting drenched both days while dismantling our parks in a major rainstorm. We’re already looking forward to participating in next September’s Second Annual Parking Day event!

**Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva street in downtown San Antonio in the Texas Independence and Hill Country Trail Regions

Museum Day 2010

2010-10-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

By Mary Ann Goodall, Confederate Reunion Grounds office manager

The sixth annual Smithsonian Museum Day was the final event in a very busy September at the Confederate Reunion Grounds (CRG). In addition to the 1990 class reunion held under the 1893 Dance Pavilion for Mexia High School graduates, special events for September 25 included free admission for visitors who presented the Museum Day Admission Card they had downloaded from http://www.smithsonian.com/.

Museum Day visitors walking down the steps to Humphrey’s Spring

The Class of ’90 enjoyed seeing old classmates and catching up. There were many positive comments to site staff aboutimprovements and changes to the site in the past 20 years since graduation.

Mexia High School Class of 1990 football game

As the Class of ‘90 went their separate ways and vacated the pavilion, the Friends of the CRG moved underneath to host their Friends and Future Friends annual membership drive kick-off. They hosted Camp Coffee and Cobbler from a chuckwagon and a bluegrass jam for visitor entertainment, featuring the Rainey Creek Ramblers. A few visitors even brought their own instruments to jam with the Waco-area group for the evening. Most just enjoyed the music from their lawn chairs as they slowly sipped their coffee (it’s very hot when cooked over a camp fire) and savored every bite of cherry or apple cobbler. A few of us even had both!

Refreshments for Museum Day’s evening events included chuckwagon camp coffee and cobbler hosted by the Friends of the Confederate Reunion Grounds.

Rainey Creek Ramblers provide entertainment for Museum Day evening visitors.

The cobbler was great, the music was fantastic, visitor attendance was exceptional, and a good time was had by all! Plans are already being made for Museum Day 2011, scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011. Watch for upcoming events on our website.

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

Texas Archeology Month at the Sites

2010-10-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

By Brett Cruse, Military and Archeological Sites Supervisor for the Historic Sites

Throughout the month at the Aransas County Public Library in Rockport, visitors can view a special exhibit on the archeology of the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site. The exhibit features objects recovered from the 1978 and 2007 archeological excavations, photographs, and details about the exciting process of discovering the 19th-century lives of the Fulton family. http://www.visitfultonmansion.com/

Throughout the month of October, as part of its Texas Archeology Month celebration, Fort Lancaster State Historic Site near Sheffield in Pecos County will offer a variety of hands-on activities for children. Children can try a mock archeology dig, make replica arrowheads, try to piece together pottery, or make a Native American art rubbing. http://www.visitfortlancaster.com/.

A suspender clip from Fort Lancaster

Archeology Family Days will be at the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site near Mexia in Limestone County on October 16. With its towering burr oaks and crystal springs, people have gathered at the bend of the Navasota River at the juncture of Jack’s Creek for more than 5,000 years. This year, site staff will celebrate Texas Archeology Month with a program that includes demonstrations of native crafts and technologies, lectures on archeological topics, and hands-on activities, such as mock digs, rock art replication, and spear throwing using an atlatl. http://www.visitcrg.com/

Reenactors at Confederate Reunion Grounds

Also on October 16 at Sealy in Austin County, will be an event entitled “New Insights into Old Texas: Recent Findings from San Felipe de Austin, Washington-on-the-Brazos, and the Bernardo Plantation. This event includes two tours of the Bernardo Plantation and a lecture program. Sponsored by Friends of the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and THC. http://www.colonialcapitaloftexas.com/

On November 5–6 in San Felipe, Austin County, is the Father of Texas Birthday Celebration. This two-day event celebrating Stephen F. Austin’s birthday features a grand ceremony (Saturday, 2 p.m.), reenactments and living history programs, lectures, hands-on activities that include archeology-themed stations, and walking tours of the ceremonial site. Friday (9 a.m.–2 p.m.) is Austin County school day; Saturday (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) is public day. http://www.visitsanfelipedeaustin.com/

Visit one of these historic sites in October and help celebrate and experience Texas Archeology Month!

Home Town Spirit on 9/11

2010-09-30T08:40:00.000-05:00

By Cheryl Dowell, Fort Lancaster site staff

On 9/11 Fort Lancaster State Historic Site was honored to be represented during the Iraan/Sheffield Homecoming parade. The local Pecos River 4-H club decorated a float in support of our troops. Dozens of students who worked on this project have their freedom due to the brave men and women that have chosen to serve this great country.

The students made posters depicting Fort Lancaster and some of their 4-H projects. These students learned about community service throughout the year as they worked on different 4-H projects.

This year a group of young students will be working on a living history project for Fort Lancaster. The staff at Fort Lancaster is very excited to have students interested in learning about early Texas history. They will then have the opportunity to share their knowledge with others. Our hope is that this project will instill a sense of appreciation and ownership of our rich Texas history that the students will take into adulthood.

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

San Felipe de Austin Visitor has the Preservation Spirit

2010-09-15T09:44:00.002-05:00

By Bryan McAuley, San Felipe de Austin site manager and Jeremy Brooks, HSD Curatorial Intern

On July 4th, following a couple of days of heavy rain, Christina Bernal of Houston and her parents, George and Virginia Bernal, made a stop at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. After looking at the markers and the statue of Stephen F. Austin, Virginia took a seat on the wooden bench under the site’s large oak tree. She noticed what she thought was a heavily corroded dime on the ground near her feet and picked it up and put it in her pocket.

So began the final chapter of a remarkable journey of a half reale Spanish coin that traveled from Mexico City (its place of minting) likely to Austin’s colony (and soon to an Austin’s colony museum) by way of…the United States? Interior Mexico? San Antonio? What stories it could tell.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of this story is what happened, after realizing the “dime” was an historic 1816 Spanish coin. While state law prohibits the removal of resources from historic sites, it’s easy to imagine many visitors being tempted to simply walk away with a remarkable souvenir. This story has a different ending.

On July 5th, Bryan McAuley, San Felipe de Austin site manager, arrived at his desk to find an email from Christina. It included the following: “I understand there will eventually be a museum at the site, and it pleases me to think the coin could be put on display for everybody to see. (Our family loves history!)”

That afternoon the coin was in THC possession and within days was sent to curatorial staff in Austin for research and initial conservation.

The Historic Sites Division’s first priority was to digitally photograph the half reale coin to reduce the amount of physical handling of the artifact, and also retrieve high-resolution details of the coin that may elude the eye. After digitally documenting the coin curatorial staffers were able to extract unseen elements through a series of light and color filters. Once the filtration process was complete the image of the coin was returned to its original state.

Above is the actual coin found at San Felipe de Austin. Several of the key features listed beside the coin became known as the Historic Sites Division continued research.

The most noticeable marking on the obverse side is the bust of King Ferdinand VII. This particular bust, specifically named the “Laurent and Drape Bust” but commonly called the “Standard Bust” is a definable characteristic of the reale from the years 1808–1814. Also minted on the obverse end is “FERDIN•VII” “DEI•GRATIA”, which names the king (Ferdinand VII) during its minted year (1816) “[By the] Grace of God”.

On the reverse side of the coin are additional components which aided in the discovery of the coin’s origin. Located on the right side is the phrase, “HISPAN•ET•IND•” (Spain and Indies). Other coins of this same era typically had the phrase, “HISPAN•ET IND•REX” (King of Spain and Indies). The half reale is unique because it lacks the “REX” portion of the phrase.

Looking at the left side of the reverse end are three important features: the R, Ṁ, and J•J•. The value of the coin is a prefix to the R, an 8R is an 8 reale, 1R is 1 reale, leading to an R, which is a half reale. The second feature indicates this particular half reale origin of mint. The Ṁ denotes Mexico City as the place where this coin was manufactured. Lastly, the J.J. stands for the initials of the assayer, or the person who determines the specific qualities of the coin’s metal. Unfortunately the actual name of the assayer with initials J•J• has not been determined, but the average quality of the half Spanish Reale is measured at .86 fine silver (.048 troy ounces).

Not noted in the picture above, but definitely the most identifiable element of the coin is the Coat of Arms of the Spanish Monarch flanked by the Pillars of Hercules.

Thanks for checking in to learn about this unique artifact from San Felipe de Austin. And a big thanks to George, Virginia, and Christina Bernal for their commitment to Texas history.

**The San Felipe de Austin is located west of San Felipe on FM 1458 in the Texas Independence Trail Region

The Summer Bedroom

2010-09-08T13:35:00.000-05:00

By Sue Miller, site manager of Varner-Hogg Plantation

Have you ever wondered how South Texas residents stayed cool in the 1800s during the long, hot Texas summers? Everything from the architecture of houses to summertime bedroom fabrics played a part in easing the oppressive heat. Often, in the heat of summer, occupants would even move their mattresses to outside balconies to sleep!

At Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, visitors can learn more about these early techniques in the Summer Bedroom, a newly interpreted room at the plantation house.

The centerpiece of the room is the bed, made by local craftsman and store owner Henry Jansen during the mid 1800s. Mosquito netting surrounds it to keep insects from bothering the occupant during the summer months.

Keeping cool also meant that winter’s heavy rugs, carpets, and draperies made way for sheer panels on windows, and white muslin sheets and coverlets replaced heavy quilts and blankets on beds. Cotton slipcovers on upholstered furniture led to the light, white, cool look of the room.

Summer clothing took the same path. Lightweight cotton and muslin skirts and camisoles replaced heavy brocades and wools. Women and children wore flowing pieces made of fabric that could breathe. Large hats for dress or wide-brimmed bonnets for farm life shielded faces and eyes from the sun.

Come view the Summer Bedroom for yourself and peer in on the life of this southern Texas family. Varner-Hogg Plantation is located approximately 60 miles south of Houston and is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Gun for Preservation and Restoration

2010-09-03T10:15:00.000-05:00

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.

Before

After

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.

Before

After

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.

Before

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!

After

**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

2010-08-27T11:02:00.000-05:00

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)

2010-08-13T13:33:00.000-05:00

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)

2010-08-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

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

2010-07-23T10:17:00.000-05:00

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.

Before conservation

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

2010-07-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Historic Sites Upcoming Events

2010-07-06T13:42:00.000-05:00

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Old Stories, New Voices…A Summer’s Adventure

2010-07-05T14:37:00.000-05:00

By Buddy Garza, Fort McKavett State Historic Site manager

The fourth year of the Old Stories, New Voices summer camp launched at Fort McKavett State Historic Site where participants loaded up into the caravan heading to the Prude ranch near Fort Davis. The Friends of Fort McKavett furnished bottled water and snacks to the kids while they were on post and for the next leg of the trip.

The group then went on to Santa Fe, N.M. where they spent the night before heading for Gloretta Pass and the other Civil War sites. This year, 44 kids are participating in the program, 20 of who are from Texas—Menard, Fort McKavett, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. The trek took the kids from New Mexico all the way to Gettysburg, Pa. The group ended up at Gettysburg for the Fourth of July weekend reenactment before heading home.

There is more on this adventure and my involvement on the program’s blog. This is information on the program from the Facebook page “The Old Stories, New Voices Program offers youngsters a once-in-a-lifetime immersion in the history, diverse cultures, and natural landscape of their home state. By taking them back in time to experience the challenges of their pioneer ancestors, the program helps students increase their own resilience and sense of responsibility. Participants also learn to appreciate the importance of the past, as well as historic preservation and conservation.”

**Fort McKavett is located west of Menard on FM 864 in the Texas Forts Trail Region.

It’s a Wicket, Wicket World of Croquet

2010-06-25T12:18:00.000-05:00

By Megan Maxwell, Starr Family Home Site Staff

This month the Starr Family Home in Marshall hosted the 17th annual Wicket, Wicket World of Croquet Tournament. During the first weekend of June, players traditionally don their “whites” to participate in the Croquet Tournament sponsored by the Friends of the Starr Family Home.

Friends Board President Marjorie Perkins started the annual tournament as a fundraiser for the Starr Family Home 17 years ago. Money is raised through sponsorships and donations, with levels set by the Friends. East Texas Baptist University provides athletic fields for the preliminary rounds, and the final round takes place at the Starr Home after lunch.

This year’s winners were Bryant Perkins and Aurelio Ortiz, who have won the tournament three years in a row. Dare and Grant Westmoreland, descendants of Sallie Starr McGee, were the runners-up in the tournament.

** Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

A Birthday Party of Bicentennial Proportion!

2010-06-16T16:11:00.000-05:00

By Cassie Dieterich, Fulton Mansion State Historic Site educator
June 8, 2010 marked the 200th birthday of George W. Fulton, the builder and first owner of Fulton Mansion in Rockport. In celebration of his life and legacy, Fulton Mansion State Historic Site hosted a 200th Birthday Party with cake, ice cream, games, and crafts.

The main attraction was a bicentennial-worthy wooden birthday cake. Party guests were encouraged to decorate the mammoth confection with signatures, drawings, and messages to George. The party ended with a ceremonial lighting of the cake and a free concert featuring local Celtic band Gravel Walk.

June 8 also marked the opening of a special exhibit at the Mansion titled “A Tale of 83 Years and Incalculable Miles: The Life and Times of George W. Fulton.” The exhibit will run throughout the summer and admission is included in the regular tour fee.

Volunteer Norinne Holman cuts one of the real birthday cakes.

Party guests sign and place candles on the larger-than-life, wooden birthday cake.

Caption: Members of the Springer family dance to the traditional Irish jigs of Gravel Walk.

**Fulton Mansion is located at 317 Fulton Beach in Rockport and is part of the Tropical Trail Region

Visitors Enjoy Historic Sites Free Day at Sam Rayburn House Museum

2010-06-09T10:27:00.000-05:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum staff

May 16, 2010 was a day to celebrate history across the state of Texas. This day marked the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) annual Historic Sites Free Day. Free admission was offered at 19 historic sites throughout the state, with various programs and special events coinciding with the free admission at these locations.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum offered free admission, Blue Bell ice cream, and activities for students and children. Free admission to the museum included viewing the museum’s newest exhibit, “Threaded Through Time: The Sam Rayburn Family Quilts.” The “Threaded Through Time” exhibit focuses on 12 quilts from Sam Rayburn’s personal collection of materials. Free admission at the THC’s historic sites was held in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Month which takes place each May. The event was also part of the national and Texas Travel and Tourism week, May 8–16.

** The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located two miles west of Bonham on West State Highway 56 in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

2nd Annual Western Frontier Days Brings History to Life

2010-06-03T09:35:00.000-05:00

By Cheryl Dowell, Fort Lancaster Site Staff

More than 50 volunteers and living historians recently descended into the remote valley where Fort Lancaster State Historic Site is located to share and perform for nearly 600 visitors over the two-day Western Frontier Days event. Even though the amenities are limited in this West Texas fort, historians continue to visit because they love sharing 19th century history with students. Students from six school districts attended the event’s Education Day. There were also many more students attending via satellite thanks to Region 18 Education Service Center.

The students participated in a virtual field trip as they witnessed the canons fire, visited with the Texas Camel Corps, heard music, and watched interviews with the various forts represented at the event. This remote site did not seem nearly as secluded thanks to modern technology.

Saturday was a two-sided joy as we were joined by students from the Texas Challenge Academy. Not only did the students enjoy visiting and learning from our historians, but they were able to show us their stuff as they performed two amazing military marching drills and joined the flag-raising ceremony.

Thanks to all the great people who are willing to give their time to share this important piece of history with our Texas students and visitors from all over the world. We look forward to seeing everyone next year—be sure to join us!

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

Sam Rayburn House Museum Opens “Threaded Through Time” Exhibit

2010-05-27T11:17:00.000-05:00

By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House Museum

The Sam Rayburn House Museum introduced its new exhibit, “Threaded Through Time: The Sam Rayburn Family Quilts,” on May 8. The exhibit opening was held in conjunction with Bonham’s first quilt hop, which featured quilt exhibits and other quilt-related materials in several Bonham locations, including the Bonham Visitor Center, Creative Arts Center, Fannin County Historical Commission, and Fannin County Museum.

The “Threaded Through Time” exhibit at the Sam Rayburn House Museum featured 12 historic quilts from the museum’s collection. With the assistance of Lynn Deal, site manager of the nearby Sam Bell Maxey State Historic Site, the staff examined each quilt to identify its approximate age, fabric composition, and pattern name.

Large color photos of each quilt hung in the exhibit accompanied by fact sheets and a quilting definition of terms. An exhibit case held small artifacts from the house museum including hand-quilted potholders, thread, a pincushion, and a flour sack.

While photos filled the visitor center exhibit, the actual quilts were displayed within the house museum. Two quilts were laid upon six beds within the home, and museum staff provided quilt-themed tours to visitors. The staff members, outfitted with cotton gloves, spoke about the two quilts on each bed within the house. Museum staff carefully turned the top quilt to reveal the second one beneath. This gave visitors the opportunity to view the quilts up close as they were most likely used by the Rayburn family.

The Sam Rayburn House Museum exhibit opening also included music by the Fannin County Civic Band and hands-on quilting activities for children. During the quilt hop, Lynn Deal and Robin Gilliam, site manager of the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site in Denison, gave presentations on quilts and quilting history. Free buses provided transportation to visitors between each of the five sites that hosted the quilt hop. Visitors who attended the quilt hop and visited each of the five participating sites qualified for prize drawings.

** The Sam Rayburn House Museum is located two miles west of Bonham on West State Highway 56 in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Tomorrow’s Historians are Today’s Inspiration

2010-05-21T14:18:00.000-05:00

By Cheryl Dowell, Fort Lancaster Site Staff

Lasly Dowell, a young volunteer from Fort Lancaster, was recently invited by Mrs. Kelly at Iraan Elementary School to share her knowledge and provide a living history demonstration for the 4th graders. Dowell portrayed a young settler from a pioneer family moving out west that may have traveled through Fort Lancaster. She shared information on games kids would have played, along with demonstrating some of the many chores children were expected to complete. She also shared some historic school rules and supplies that the students would have used in the mid 19th century.

The students enjoyed touching and looking at the lye soap, the wool eraser and trying some of the games. After Dowell’s presentation, the class had many questions about the time period and Fort Lancaster.

Dowell was excited to share the information she’s learned about that time period and life at the fort. The students loved the story about Captain Carpenter's two dogs, Coal and Quail, that he brought with him to Fort Lancaster in 1855. It seemed that the students were disappointed to hear the bell ring when class was over — seeing them get excited about history was quite inspirational. Thank you to our young volunteer for sharing information with her peers.

Don't forget about our big event this weekend at Fort Lancaster. Click here for more information on Western
Frontier Days.

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

New Longhorn Calves at Fort Griffin

2010-05-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

By Will Cradduck, State of Texas Longhorn Herd Manager at Fort Griffin

Springtime is here and along with it come new baby calves! Fort Griffin State Historic Site announces its latest additions to the State of Texas Longhorn Herd. These calves represent the newest generation of a historic herd of longhorn cattle based at Fort Griffin since the 1940s. New calves are being born all the time, and they sure are cute.

Just watching them is lots of fun. They are just like little children, running and playing and getting into all sorts of stuff. They keep their mothers mighty nervous with how curious they are about investigating everything they see.

It’s interesting to see the mothers with new babies all grazing separately from the main herd. They have firmly established a type of new mothers club and keep their babies separate from everyone else. Maybe it’s just because it is easier to keep track of “Junior” in a small group, or maybe the calves just like playing with their buddies, and “Mother” just has to go along with it.

These calves are the product of one of the best historically preserved longhorn herds in the state, and are sired by bulls on loan from the Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry (CTLR). Like the State of Texas Longhorn Herd, the CTLR strives for historically correct and genetically pure Texas Longhorns. Many of these calves will become part of the permanent herd as they grow up, and will be at Fort Griffin for visitors to see for many years to come.

Right now, all the new babies are at the lease property remote from Fort Griffin, but we have five young cows at the Fort that will have babies soon, and plenty of big steers to see! Y’all come see us!

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

Azaleas put on a show at the Starr Family Home

2010-05-07T11:20:00.000-05:00

By Megan Maxwell, Starr Family Home Site Staff

We’re fortunate to have had the biggest and best display of azaleas in Marshall right here on the grounds of the historic site.

Mrs. Ruth Starr Blake receives credit for the profusion of blooms, since she began planting azaleas here 50 years ago.

Most of the bushes bloom in shades of pink, which was one of her favorite colors. We had visitors out this year taking photographs surrounded by nature’s show.

** Starr Family Home is located in Marshall on the corner of Travis and S. Grove streets in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

Fiesta Time in San Antonio

2010-05-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

By José Zapata, Casa Navarro Site Manager

For the third year in a row, the Friends of Casa Navarro participated in the King William Fair Parade. The parade, part of San Antonio’s Fiesta Week activities, was held on April 24. Many of the Friends that participated are fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth generation descendants of Texas patriot José Antonio Navarro.

This year’s float, a scaled-down replica of Casa Navarro, was designed by Robert and Oscar Alvarado and painstakingly decorated by numerous friends. After the parade, the Friends retreated to the peaceful confines of Casa Navarro, where food and refreshments were served.

The Fiesta medal, featuring a photo of José Antonio Navarro, was created and provided by the Friends as part of a fundraising initiative during the event.

**Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva streets in downtown San Antonio in the Texas Independence Trail Region and Hill Country Trail Region.

Everything Old is New Again

2010-04-29T15:55:00.000-05:00

By Joni Lee, site staff at Sam Bell Maxey House

We are so fortunate here at the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site to have actual items used by the Maxey and Long families who lived in this house for 99 years. Last May, we received an unexpected gift when several pieces of furniture were donated back to the museum.

The dining room now houses a table and 10 chairs that were purchased by Maxey’s son and daughter-in-law in New Orleans. The chairs feature detailed carved roses on them, and we know from historic photographs that the chairs have been reupholstered several times. Also, a beautiful crystal candelabra with five candles graces the table.

Today, we can listen to music on our cell phones, Ipods or MP3 players, but in a bygone era music filled the home via a Victrola. Instead of using a touch screen to pull up a selection, listeners had to crank a handle to wind up the player. We recently received a wonderful Victrola and numerous records that are now located in the parlour.

We also received an Eastlake-style side table with a beautiful inlay top owned by Senator Maxey and his wife, Marilda. It has a hummingbird and flowers in the center of the table made from various woods. This is also in the parlour next to the sofa and is a nice addition to the room.

**The Sam Bell Maxey House is located in Paris at the corner of Church and Washington streets in the Texas Lakes Trail Region.

Historic Sites Spring into Action

2010-04-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

By Sarah Tober, Senior Marketing Specialist for the Historic Sites

Springtime in Texas is full of activity with everyone eagerly heading outdoors to enjoy beautiful landscapes and ideal temperatures. This period of fresh flowers and foliage seems to be particularly robust with all the rain Texas has received, making it a perfect time to get out and experience the mystique of these real places. The Historic Sites are not only covered in buds of beauty, but they’re springing to life with reenactments, living history events, Victorian teas, trail rides and croquet tournaments.

Bluebonnets at Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site

Recently, Fort McKavett participated in the annual West Texas Heritage Days event in March. The staff and living historians hosted more than 500 students on Friday (the education day) and the general public on Saturday.

Throughout the event there were cannon demonstrations, cavalry, artillery and infantry action drills, Native American living history performances, Buffalo Soldiers, Buffalo Hunters, chuckwagon delectables, the Texas Camel Corps and a number of frontier skills activities.

Although the list of event details may be impressive, I was lucky enough to attend the education day and experience this historic fort come to life. Walking through the site was like moving through a portal in time, where I could see the pages of history in action — what it must have been like to watch the soldiers and horses move through the fort, or the officers’ wives bustle through their day.

My favorite story that I took away from West Texas Heritage Days was told by one of the living historians of Cathay Williams, a brave female Buffalo Soldier. To read more about this exceptional woman click here.

Plan your next historic adventure today by visiting texashistoricsites.com. Be sure to keep up with our upcoming events by subscribing to our quarterly Historic Sites Events Update below, be sure to click the State Historic Attractions button.

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An Artifact to Treasure

2010-04-09T09:16:00.001-05:00

By Bryan McAuley, site manager of San Felipe de Austin

As part of the ongoing site development at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, recent archeological investigations uncovered a unique artifact that provides some insight into colonial San Felipe de Austin.

The artifact in question is a one-bit piece from a Spanish milled pillar dollar coin. These coins were accepted as currency all over the world, including in the American colonies. They are popularly collected today, and the below image of a full 1746 pillar dollar was posted by a seller at a coin collectors’ web site. Note the “M” with the small circle above it. This mark denotes that the coin was minted in Mexico City.

The one-bit piece discovered during testing at San Felipe de Austin (below, with an image of each side of the coin) includes the mint mark (Mexico City), but no evidence of the date of manufacture or of the Spanish monarch at the time of minting (three Spanish kings reigned during these years — Philip V, Ferdinand VI and Charles III).

As was typical in the Americas and along the frontier, including in Texas before the Revolution, coin money was in short supply. Additional analysis is under way and future research may help us better understand how artifacts like this one came to be at San Felipe de Austin. In some ways, with Mexican Texas a place where the United States and the New World formerly controlled by Spain collided, it seems only natural that this multi-cultural artifact would turn up at San Felipe de Austin.

Our thanks to the team from the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University for their hard work. Below, paying their respects to the Father of Texas after a day of fieldwork are, (left to right): Sarah Scogins, Carole Leezer (assistant director), Drew Sitters, Josh Hamilton and Amy Benton. **San Felipe de Austin is part of the

**The San Felipe de Austin is located west of San Felipe on FM 1458 in the Texas Independence Trail Region

History and Heritage: Keys for the College Bound

2010-03-25T18:39:00.000-05:00

By José Zapata, site manager for Casa Navarro State Historic Site

In honor of Navarro’s passion for education, the Friends of Casa Navarro initiated the José Antonio Navarro Distinguished Student Scholarship Award. A total of 40 high school seniors from throughout the San Antonio area applied for the scholarship this year.

The scholarship committee met on Saturday, February 20. Among the criteria considered by the scholarship committee were the student’s scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and a demonstrated awareness of the needs and issues within his or her community.

Interested students were asked to visit Casa Navarro State Historic Site to inspire a two- to three-page essay portraying the student’s experience in reflecting on José Antonio Navarro’s life and spirit. The students were asked to refer to their own reflections upon visiting Casa Navarro and how Navarro’s historical participation influenced their world and how his contributions are relevant today.

This year’s $1,000 scholarship awards recipients were honored at a recent reception.

1) Haley Michelle Hoekstra — Comfort High School

2) Jenna Caroline Barnett — John Marshall High School

3) Eric Andrew Johnston — Sandra Day O'Connor High School

4) John Alexander Ferguson III — Alamo Heights High School

This year’s scholarship committee members were Dr. Felix Almaraz, Dr. Betty Barrett Garza, Clemmie Rodriguez, Sarah Salinas and John Tillotson.

***Casa Navarro is located at the corner of S. Laredo and W. Nueva streets in downtown San Antonio in the Texas Independence Trail Region and Hill Country Trail Region.

New Interpretive Panels Installed in Fort Griffin Visitor’s Center

2010-03-18T15:58:00.001-05:00

by Eric Abercrombie, assistant site manager at Fort Griffin State Historic Site

After many months of planning with THC staff, local historians and the 106 Group, we have new interpretive panels on display in our visitor’s center and throughout the site. The panels outside of the visitor’s center were placed to provide interpretation of the buildings and locations of significance. We’re thrilled to have new displays that will help tell the real story of the rich history of Fort Griffin.

The planning for these interpretative panels began in May 2009, with the visitor experience in mind. Covering a broad range of subjects allows visitors to see the big picture of the fort’s history and use. Each subject falls under one of four themes: the natural resources of the area, the regional center and local economy, the daily life of the military and soldiers, and the military outpost. Each theme is represented by a different color, which is consistent throughout the site.

Fort Griffin has a long history with many different stories to be told. Beginning as a lonely military outpost on the western frontier of Texas, the fort grew in significance when a thriving, Wild West town developed nearby. Years later, after the threat of hostile Indians had been eliminated and the fort and town abandoned, the site became a place for the skilled work of Company 3803 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC worked on restoring what was left of the old fort. Shortly afterward, the site became a state park and eventually the home of the Official State of Texas Longhorn herd. Each time period provides great stories, and our new interpretive panels attempt to share a few of them in a brief and concise format.

In addition to the new panels, other improvements were made to the interior of our visitor’s center. They include new wood shelves and countertop, a large floor map of Texas illustrating the location of forts and trails, and overhead displays with photos and symbols. Overall, the new displays and panels will tell the real story of this real place and add tremendous value to the visitor experience.

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