Barrington Plantation State Historic Site Events

Mar. 6th & 7th, 10a-4p:

The Girl’s Own Book (published in 1834) says, “There is no accomplishment of any kind more desirable…than neatness and skill in the use of a needle.” It also claimed 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...

Mar. 13th & 14th, 10a-4p:

Turning the fields over after lying fallow is a rite of spring. 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...

Mar. 20th & 21st, 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...

Apr. 3rd & 4th, 10a-4p:

Dr. Jones noted in his journal on April 13, 1854 – “Ridged up balance of cotton ground, planted cotton in the new field.” Cotton is King! Like most settlers in Texas, Dr. Jones did not grow cotton to make homespun clothes, but rather he shipped it out of the country (often England) in exchange for cash money. Come help us ridge up and plant Dr. Jones’ cash...

Apr. 10th & 11th, 10a – 4p:

Women in the mid-Victorian period were expected to be concerned about, and very involved in, life around the home. How did their education, for daughters like Sarah Jones, maintain expectations for that lifestyle as they grew up? Discussions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., for more information contact Barb King at 936-878-2214 x248.

Apr. 17th & 18th, 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...

May 1st & 2nd, 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...

May 8th & 9th, 10a-4p

From an early age, most Victorian women were trained for the worthy profession of caring for a family. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, and childcare comprised the main elements of “The Arts and Mysteries of Housewifery.” Did a woman’s role change when she moved to the rough and tumble frontier of Texas? Hear some stories about the women of the Jones family, and...

May 15th & 16th, 10a-4p

Dr. Jones noted in his journal on May 14, 1850 - “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 walk-behind cultivating plow! Contact Ben Baumgartner for more information at 936-878-2214 x248.

May 22nd & 23rd, 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 936-878-2214 x248.

June 5th & 6th, 10a-4p:

Spring cleaning is a yearly ritual for which modern conveniences have obliterated the need. Preparing the house for warmer weather, chasing out cobwebs and dirt, scrubbing walls and floors, is much more laborious than cleaning today. Help wash windows, beat rugs, and wash and wax furniture as needed. Contact Barb King for details at 936-878-2214 x.248.

June 12th & 13th, 10a-4p:

Dr. Jones noted in his journal on July 19, 1846 – “Ripe peaches from my Orchard at Barrington.” Caring for an orchard takes skill and patience, but it can be highly rewarding! Come help us haul water and cultivate the orchard as you learn about heirloom trees and fruit growing in the 19th century! Contact Ben Baumgartner for more information at 936-878-...

June 19th & 20th, 10a-4p:

In their leisure time, Dr. Anson Jones and his sons enjoyed a variety of gentlemanly pursuits, including card playing, hunting, and fishing.  Join us for a day of recreation and relaxation! 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 1850’s method for taking wild game with a...

Join us for a 1850s style Independence Day celebration!  Musket firing, toasts and a reading of the Declaration of Independence will commemorate the day.  Bring your own picnic basket, and enjoy al-fresco dining, just like Dr. Jones writes about in his journal.  Contact Barb King for details at 936-878-2214 x248.

July 10th &11th, 10a-4p:

Dr. Jones penned in his journal on July 13, 1854 – “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 out to them as needed to supplement foraging. Come pull and make “hands” (bunches) of fodder from our corn crop! Contact Ben...

July 17th & 18th, 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...

July 24th & 25th, 10a-4p:

Though free time for those enslaved at Barrington was typically limited to Sundays and occasional holidays, time off provided an opportunity to rest and enjoy a variety of games, music, and entertainment. Come learn how Jerry, Mary, or Willis might have spent their time off. Make and take a clay marble home with you! Contact Ben Baumgartner for more...

Aug. 7th & 8th, 11a-2p:

Taking a break, or “nooning,” in the heat of the day helped 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!  ...

Aug. 14th & 15th, 10a-4p:

Come stay cool with us in the heat of summer and discover what early Texans did to stay cool. Without modern A.C. you might be surprised at how comfortable you can be in a Texas summer. Contact Barb King for details at 936-878-2214 x248.

Aug. 21st & 22nd, 10a-4p:

Dr. Jones noted in his journal on Aug. 4, 1847 - “Thrashed out rye”.  Now that our grain crop has been harvested, it’s time to thresh and winnow it to separate seed from stalk. Come help us make our harvest ready to be ground into flour! Contact Ben Baumgartner for more information at 936-878-2214 x248.

Aug. 28th & 29th, 10a-4p:

There are 1,774 miles between Anson Jones’ hometown in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and where he lived in Washington, Texas. How on earth 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 for details at 936-...