Saturday, December 31, 2011

Event Info -- Haskell County - Texas Independence Celebration

We would like to invite Living Historians to join Haskell County in its 3rd annual celebration of Texas Independence.
Our event is Saturday, March 3, 2012 around the courthouse square in Haskell.

We welcome any cavalry, infantry, artillery, campsites, Buffalo Soldiers, period costumes, etc. to help us celebrate Texas heritage!
We will start with a flag raising by local Boy Scouts at 10:00am.

Fort Griffin is scheduled to have soldiers and artillery on hand. Other attendees invited are Fort Concho, Hardin Simmons White Horses, a flintknapper, Drummer Boy Ice Cream, state photographer Wyman Meinzer, SMS Ranch Chuck Wagon, Lone Star Ladies riding group and many more. Haskell Fire Department will be selling hamburgers. Events will conclude around 3:00pm.
Thank you so much for considering our invitation. Our celebration has grown each year and has become a premier county event!
For more information contact
Susan Turner
940-742-3347

Spring Ball in Waco - Event Info

You are Cordially Invited
to attend
The Annual Lace and Sabers Magnolia Ball
Waco, Texas
March 17, 2012
Earle-Harrison House

I will be hosting my annual dance on March 17th in Waco, Texas at the historic Earle-Harrison House. The setting will be in the garden under a tent overlooking the beautifyl views. Dancing will be held from 7 to 11 PM and music will be provided by "The Sweet Song String Band". You will walk into a setting right out of a magazine with crystal, candles, and beautiful tables. A light buffet will be served along with cake, punch, coffee, and water. We will eat and dance and have a merry time waltzing, reeling and such.

During the day ladies will watch a demonstration of cooking in the old kitchen using all the tools of the day to prepare sweet dough cobbler, cucumber sandwiches, and fresh veggies, for you to snack on during our ladies tea in the old house itself. We will visit and chat about the times at hand, and if anyone would offer a demonstration of the period etiquette, dress, or customs they may do so. It will be a leisurely time until 3 PM when you will retire to prepare for the dance.

Since the buffet will be a light fare you may want to have a small dinner prior to the dance at 7 PM, it is your choice, but if you know me I usually have plenty to eat. Accommodations in the area are varied. You may choose to stay at the Clarion which is just down the street on 4th Street, The Fairfield Inn on Lakeshore is also another nice hotel and not far. Once you send in your reservations I will forward information on hotels to you so you may choose.

In Waco you can visit many attractions during the day. Gentlemen may want to do these while we cook and chat. The Texas Ranger Museum is in Waco, There is a Mennonite settlement with furniture making demonstratins, crafts and a lot more. Several old homes are available for tours and The Ben Mc Coullogh home is right next door to our event. I have arranged for small guided groups to tour the Earle-Harrison home also at no cost to you. I will again forward information on all these places with your reservation confirmation.

Cost is $45.00 per person
Send Check, money order or Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover cards are accepted
Becky Noone
28011 Brendon Trail Court
Spring, Texas 77386
281-651-9209 store, or 979-709-7601 cell









Needlework Samplers

If you are looking for a project for the quiet times at living histories or to start a conversation with the public, consider a needlework sampler.  Not only did they provide beauty for beholder but told a story about the maker.  This site, shared with us by Bev, has lots of information on samplers.  http://www.squidoo.com/samplers#module156068361

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Needlework samplers have a rich history and today take on an interesting twist.
The rich history of needlework samplers is hinted at in the commercially produced patterns of today. Samplers have often been dismissed as nostalgic decorative items of no importance but in the past samplers have been a method of recording information. Today they can be seen as format to explore stitches and design elements, mixed media techniques and some freeform contemporary samplers even include elements of journalling.

Needlework samplers, always act as a record of stitches, and skill but they can also record patterns and motifs, depict family trees, commemorate life events, such as weddings or births. Alphabet samplers and growth charts are popular today, but their function has changed significantly.

Links and resources on this page will take you on a journey into both the history of needlework samplers and how to stitch your own sampler.
Read more at this link:  http://www.squidoo.com/samplers#module156068361

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas at Old Fort Concho

Christmas at Old Fort Concho in San Angelo, Texas is guaranteed to bring a smile to the Scrooges among us and put the rest of us in the Christmas spirit.  This December 2-3, the troops and their ladies came back to Ft. Concho.  Although the weather was nippy, many visitors came to enjoy the Saturday. 

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

What Did A Victorian Child Find under the Christmas Tree?

GIFTS FOR BOYS: For boys there are leaping-horses arranged on a platform in order not to injure the carpets; goats that bleat, and dogs that bark; menageries with all sorts of wild animals; fire-engines with hose that throw the water across a room; livery stables with vehicles, hostlers, and horses; grocery stores and restaurants; pack-mules with well-filled panniers, driven by Swiss muleteers; express-wagons heavily laden with boxes, barrels, and parcels; steamers, and craft of every nation; locomotive and train; canes, riding-whips, etc.—all exact imitations of those used by the grown folks every day before admiring boyish eyes.
GIFTS FOR GIRLS:

A very expensive present for a little girl is a miniature dinner-set of French china, ornamented with a painted wreath. In the same case with the china are cut-glass goblets, silver-ware, cutlery, bronze candelabras, and table linen—every thing, indeed, that the most fastidious little folks could desire for a bountifully spread table—all carefully packed away in an oaken chest.

Read the rest of this article at http://www.victoriana.com/antiquetoys/holidaytoys.html

Monday, December 5, 2011

Summer History Opportunity for Teachers!

Notice of this opportunity was received from Donna Smith of Ft. Davis.  If you are a teacher, check this out!
=================================================== 
Ann,

Thought you might spread the word to any teachers you know about this summertime opportunity provided by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York. The week-long seminars are held at universities around the country, and they welcome K-12 history, social studies, language arts, and English teachers. See gli@gilderlehrman.org and/or message below.

I was lucky enough to attend a seminar on Black History at Yale Univ. last summer because they allow National Park Service people who are certified teachers to attend; what I learned I plan to put to good use regarding the story of the Buffalo Soldiers. Teachers can even opt to get graduate credit for some of the seminars, if they so choose.

A great enrichment opportunity--I highly recommend it!
Sincerely,
Donna
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/education/seminar_overview.php


RECEIVE PRIORITY FOR TEACHER SEMINARS

Join the Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School Program and receive priority for Teacher Seminars. Become an Affiliate by Dec. 31, 2011. Apply to the Affiliate School Program here.

Teacher Seminars in American History
for Summer 2012
Application Now Open
Deadline February 15, 2012

K-12 history, social studies, language arts, and English teachers are invited to apply to the 2012 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars. Taught by renowned historians on college campuses in the US and the UK, these one-week interdisciplinary seminars give educators the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of topics in American history and literature—while gaining practical resources and strategies to take back to their classrooms.


APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15, 2012 . Apply Now!


If you have any questions contact seminars@gilderlehrman.org. For a complete list of Gilder Lehrman’s 2012 Teacher Seminars, information about full and partial fellowships, graduate credit, and to apply online, visit:


Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY:
NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture


Empire City: New York from 1877–2001
Kenneth T. Jackson and Karen Markoe
Columbia University
* This seminar requires a separate application. Apply.
** The deadline for this seminar is March 1, 2012.


We are delighted to present 40 seminars in 2012, including:
9/11 and American Memory
David W. Blight
at the National September 11
Memorial Museum, New York City
The Great Depression and World War II
David M. Kennedy at Stanford University


Immigration and American Life
Vicki Ruiz and Ana Rosas
at University of California, Irvine
The Era of George Washington
Gordon S. Wood
at George Washington's Mount Vernon

New Orleans Jazz and the American Public Sphere
Matt Sakakeeny
at Tulane University The American Civil War: Origins and Consequences
Gary W. Gallagher
at University of Virginia

gli@gilderlehrman.org |

Gilder Lehrman Institute | 19 West 44th Street, Suite 500 | New York | NY | 10036