Friday, January 26, 2018 - 9:07am
By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site Curator
Sam Rayburn was born in Roane County, Tennessee on January 6, 1882. In honor of “Mr. Sam’s” birthday, the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site hosted a birthday party for the late Speaker of the House on Saturday, January 6 and everyone was invited.
The theme for Sam Rayburn Day was events that took place during...
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 7:45am
By John Haynes, Intern, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
The quilting work on this piece is one of considerably high quality. It was probably a display piece or the cover on a bed—most likely the latter due to the extremely thick batting for warmth. This quilt shows classic complex “Nine Block” and irregular Baptist Fan stitching patterns. The Nine Block pattern employs nine half...
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
Medibel Rayburn Bartley was born on December 18, 1879. She, along with her parents, seven brothers, and two sisters, moved from their home in Roane County, Tenn. in 1887 to Flag Springs, Texas. In 1902 at age 23, Medibel married Samuel Edward Bartley of Ladonia, who was 22 at the time.
The Bartleys made their home...
Thursday, June 15, 2017 - 7:39am
By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
On April 1, staff and visitors of the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site had two great reasons to celebrate.
The date marked the 42nd anniversary of the site, which originally opened to the public on April 1, 1975. Lady Bird Johnson and former Speaker of the House John McCormack, who were both friends with Sam Rayburn,...
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
2017 marks the centennial of the U.S. entry into World War I. Like many other historic sites, museums, and organizations across Texas, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site will honor those who served in the war over the next two years.
The Rayburn family is intrinsically linked to World War I through Sam Rayburn, who was...
Friday, January 20, 2017 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
On “Mr. Sam’s” ranch, the cattle weren’t just cattle, they were “Pride and Joy,” “Pretty Boy,” “Miss Agnes,” and “Mr. Boots.” These names identified some of Sam Rayburn’s registered Polled Hereford cattle.
Raising Herefords wasn’t initially part of Rayburn’s 1916 farm. He and his family actually raised Jersey...
Friday, December 23, 2016 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
The year was 1916. Woodrow Wilson was president and World War I raged overseas, though the U.S. had not yet entered the fray. Women could not vote in Texas. A progressive movement in matters of labor, immigration, and welfare was changing the American landscape. President Wilson signed legislation establishing both the Boy...
Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
What do you do if you have an important meeting coming up, but all your clothes are dirty? What if the electricity is out and you have no running water in your home?
In 2016, your response is probably, “Well, obviously I’d take a load of laundry to the local laundromat.” If you have the money to spare (but no time...
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - 7:30am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
Known for his poor driving skills, either due to limited vision in his later years or his general inability to maintain a steady course on the road, “Mr. Sam” wasn’t the best driver in the county. Good constituents on the sidewalks in his hometown of Bonham may have needed to clear a path when Rayburn came to town....
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 - 8:00am
By Anne Ruppert, Curator, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
Our Sam Rayburn House Artifact of the Month is a page from The Literary Digest, dated August 31, 1918.
The Literary Digest was a general interest magazine published between 1890 and 1938. It contained news stories, poetry, and opinion pieces.
This page from The Literary Digest was at some point torn from...
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