Monday, April 23, 2018 - 3:41pm
By Margo McCutcheon, Intern, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
Did you ever wonder what treasures are hidden inside the many chests, cabinets, and desks in Sam Rayburn’s home? The "Artifact Spotlight" offers an opportunity to see and learn about artifacts that are not normally on display within the historic house. We hope to give you further...
Thursday, March 15, 2018 - 8:00am
By Margo McCutcheon, Intern, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
To honor Women’s History Month in March, we are excited to reveal a recently conserved dress that likely belonged to one of the Rayburn women who lived in the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site. Although we cannot determine the owner of the dress, we can use the dress itself and our knowledge of who...
Thursday, February 8, 2018 - 9:10am
By Anne Ruppert, Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site
The Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site will host a reception on Saturday, February 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in honor of the African American men, women, and children who lived and worked on the Rayburn farm. Join us for free, themed tours of the historic house, refreshments, and a display of objects from our collection in honor...
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...
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...
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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