Barrington Plantation State Historic Site Events

10a-4p

Before becoming president, Anson Jones made his fortune as a doctor. At a time when medicine was more art than science, what would a visit to the doctor be like? Come peek behind the curtain with us as we uncover the tricks and tools of the trade. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Ponder for a moment all of the skills and trades practiced by others that you rely upon daily: auto mechanics, carpenters, electricians, plumbers just to name a few! Just as you need skilled laborers to live, Dr. Jones also relied on the tradespeople of Washington for their services.  For one special weekend, we’re bringing many of the town tradespeople to Barrington! Hear the...

10a-4p

What does your morning routine involve? See how the Jones family prepared to face the day and clean yourself up a little bit along the way. The basic tasks are not that different, even if their methods require more labor. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

What does your morning routine involve? See how the Jones family prepared to face the day and clean yourself up a little bit along the way. The basic tasks are not that different, even if their methods require more labor. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

What special foods do you enjoy on the holidays? Like you, the Jones family hosted visitors and enjoyed a varied diet full of exotic treats to mark the season. We’ll be making a few of these foods this weekend and talking about many others. Discussions and kitchen activities ongoing. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Dr. Jones penned in his journal on Nov. 16, 1846, that those enslaved– “Recommenced breaking up the strip of prairie on the east side of field…” As the crop growing season wanes and the fields go fallow, we’ll turn over the fields once more before winter sets in. Come see our strong oxen at work and try your hand at walking behind a plow! Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben....

10a-4p

Fall is here! It is time to clean the house and get ready for the cooler months of the year. Take part in the action as we air out mattresses, sweep floors, chase out the cobwebs, and roll out the parlor rug. Hands-on projects are ongoing throughout the day. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Enslaved men and women, such as Jerry, Mary, Willis, and Jake, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Cooking a hot meal after a hard day of work was a daily routine and typically included their ration of cured pork and cornmeal supplemented with seasonal vegetables from their garden. Come join us as we demonstrate cooking a traditional meal in the style of...

Sat. 5:30p-8p

Silent Night and gunshots, festive music and solemn moments—an 1850s Texan Christmas experience! Discover the origins of some of our favorite Holiday traditions as costumed interpreters bring to life the festivities of the season with musket-fire, music, dancing and more!  Step into the historic home of the last President of the Republic, Dr. Anson Jones, as the family...

10a-4p

Though the weather is cold outside, there’s still much work to be done indoors repairing and conditioning leather harness for the next plowing season. Join us by the warm fire as we give all of our leather gear a once-over. Grab a brush and learn how to care for leather using a period saddle soap or take a turn sewing on the stitching horse! Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben....

10a-4p

Mental health treatment was very different in 1850 than current health management. We know Dr. Jones suffered from low spirits throughout his life and found it difficult to treat with techniques available at the time. Listen to discussions about interventions for mental health maladies ongoing throughout the day. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214...

10a-4p

Butchering livestock was a very necessary way of life in the mid-19th century. Their main source of meat, pork, has been preserved by drying, salting and smoking for centuries. Join us for our annual butchering and curing weekend, where we will be butchering a hog on Saturday and beginning the curing process on Sunday. This program will be ongoing, so if you wish to see every...

10a-4p

Enslaved men and women, such as Jerry, Mary, Willis, and Jake, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Cooking a hot meal after a hard day of work was a daily routine and typically included their ration of cured pork and cornmeal supplemented with seasonal vegetables from their garden. Come join us as we demonstrate cooking a traditional meal in the style of...

10a-4p

Essential to good health, common table salt has been prized for hundreds of centuries. Unlike today, salt was not always so readily available, and colonists and pioneers depended on imports from across the seas. Historically, salt was an integral part of many civilizations. Come to the kitchen and help make brines for food preservation and mordants, examine colorful varieties...

10a-4p

Dr. Jones noted in his journal in winter of 1847 – “Hired Mr. Bowen… Sent Him with two hands to Cedar Brake to make rails.” With the main crop fields turned fallow, now is the time to repair and restack fencing around the farm. Come help us clear and build up our fences so that they’ll be ready to defend the new crop in spring! Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben.baumgartner@thc....

10a-4p

Enslaved men and women, such as Jerry, Mary, Willis, and Jake, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Cooking a hot meal after a hard day of work was a daily routine and typically included their ration of cured pork and cornmeal supplemented with seasonal vegetables from their garden. Come join us as we demonstrate cooking a traditional meal in the style of...

10a-4p

The Girl’s Own Book (1834) says, “There is no accomplishment of any kind more desirable…than neatness and skill in the use of a needle.” It recommends that children should learn to sew a shirt before the age of twelve! We invite you to learn the basic stitches and start sewing your own pincushion to take home and finish. All supplies will be provided. Ongoing from 10 a.m. - 4p.m...

10a-4p

Plowing the land was a quintessential 1850s farming skill! Livestock trained to work, such as horses, mules, and oxen, played a vital role in the operations of early Texas farms. Whether it was pulling plows, harrowing fields, hauling cotton, or cultivating corn, beasts of burden made light work of sometimes daunting tasks. Join Barrington Plantation and the Texas Draft Horse...

10a-4p

Enslaved men and women, such as Jerry, Mary, Willis, and Jake, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Cooking a hot meal after a hard day of work was a daily routine and typically included their ration of cured pork and cornmeal supplemented with seasonal vegetables from their garden. Come join us as we demonstrate cooking a traditional meal in the style of...

10a-4p

Dr. Jones was an enthusiastic reader who enjoyed books and poetry. His library contained more than 1,000 books in 1858. Learn about his favorite authors and opinions of their work. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Where did American music styles originate? How is the banjo connected to West Africa? Hear the answers to these questions as well as period musical instruments as you join us in the Quarter to learn the power of music in the 1850s. Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben.baumgartner@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Keeping gardens weeded, watered, and in good order was considered part of a woman’s daily duty. It contributed to a varied diet and survival in 1850. Lend a hand to help water, plant, or weed as necessary to help our gardens get ready for summer. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Keeping gardens weeded, watered, and in good order was considered part of a woman’s daily duty. It contributed to a varied diet and survival in 1850. Lend a hand to help water, plant, or weed as necessary to help our gardens get ready for summer. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Learn what life was like for women in the 1850s! Sewing, cleaning, cooking, and childcare comprise the main elements of the “Domestic Sphere” of nineteenth century women. Areas of responsibility change when explored from the perspective of a mother like Mrs. Jones, or an enslaved woman, like Mary, in the field. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248...

10a-4p

Dr. Jones noted in his journal on May 14, 1850 that those enslaved - “Finished ploughing and hoeing corn first time.”   The crops are short and the weeds are tall, it’s time to cultivate! Come help us clear between the rows of our field crops using our single ox and shovel plow! Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben.baumgartner@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information....

10a-4p

We are following the cotton cultivation methods laid out by the period account of Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped from Washington D.C. in 1841, and enslaved near Holmesville, LA, which is about 280 miles from Barrington. In his book, Twelve Years a Slave (1853), Northup described using a plow to cultivate (turn under the weeds) and hand hoes for scraping close to...

10a-4p

Preserving food was one of the biggest jobs in the spring and summer for the times of year when food is not as plentiful. Join us while we preserve food from the garden and discuss methods of filling our larder for the future months. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Though purchased at the price of others’ freedom, Dr. Anson Jones and his sons enjoyed a variety of gentlemanly pursuits in their leisure time, including card playing, hunting, and fishing.  Join the world of the Jones men and try your luck at cards while sitting in the cool of the dogtrot of the house, or head to the field for a demonstration of the 1850s method for taking wild...

10a-4p

We’re cooking desserts and discussing picnics and entertainment Dr. Jones might have seen around the 4th of July holiday. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

Dr. Jones penned in his journal on July 13, 1854, that those enslaved– “Commenced taking corn blade fodder.” Although very few ears of corn were used to feed livestock, the dried leaves of the corn plants made excellent hay (fodder) that could be fed to them as needed to supplement foraging. Come pull and make “hands” (bunches) of fodder from our corn crop! Contact Ben...

10a-4p

Wear some old clothes and help us paint the house fence and kitchen interior with whitewash. A traditional part of spring cleaning increases the life of the buildings and fences. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

10a-4p

According to one 1850s farming periodical, “Farmer Thrifty” kept a neat and well-maintained farm, while “Squire Slipshod” allowed his barn, tools, and fences to fall into filth and disrepair. Dr. Jones noted in his journal on August 5, 1847, that the enslaved “Cleaned up Barn & Stables.” – following the model of “Farmer Thrifty”. Join us as we tackle the seasonal maintenance...

10a-4p

Taking a break, or “nooning,” in the heat of the day would help both enslaved and free 19th century farmers renew their energy on a long day in the blazing Texas sun! A little rest, food, water, and shade goes a long way. Pack a lunch and join us under the cottonwood trees by the crop fields as we take a break from our labors and recover so that we can finish out the day strong...

10a-4p

There are 1,774 miles between Anson Jones’ hometown in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and where he lived in Washington, Texas. How did he get there? Long distance travelers in 19th century America have quite a commute! Stop by the house and see how folks like Dr. Jones embarked on their travels through Texas. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248...

10a-4p

According to one 1850s farming periodical, “Farmer Thrifty” kept a neat and well-maintained farm, while “Squire Slipshod” allowed his barn, tools, and fences to fall into filth and disrepair. Dr. Jones noted in his journal on August 5, 1847, that the enslaved “Cleaned up Barn & Stables.” – following the model of “Farmer Thrifty”. Join us as we tackle the seasonal maintenance...