Barrington Plantation State Historic Site Events

March 7th, 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. If you have questions contact Barb King at 936-878-2214.
 

March 14th & 15th, 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 Living...

March 21st & 22nd, 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 23rd & 24th, 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.

March 28th & 29th, 10a – 4p:
Spring has sprung- and there’s so much to do! Who has time to be sick? Many families had their own special recipes for a Spring Tonic to boost their immune systems for a jump on their spring chores. Learn how families concocted these remedies from their own herbs and other items in their garden and house. Contact Barb King for more information at 936-878-...

April 4th & 5th, 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...

April 11th & 12th, 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.

April 18th & 19th, 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 typically shipped it out of the country (often England) in exchange for cash money. Come help us ridge up and plant Dr....

May 2nd & 3rd, 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 9th & 10th - Plows & Petticoats: True Texas Women, 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...

May 16th & 17th, 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 cultivator! Contact Ben Baumgartner for more information at 936-878-2214.

June 6th & 7th, 10a-4p:
Spring cleaning is a yearly ritualfor 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.

June 13th & 14th, 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-...

July 11th & 12th, 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 18th & 19th, 10a – 4p:
What games do you like to play? Young Texans wouldn’t get much free time in the nineteenth century, but it wasn’t all work and no play for farming families. Come play with us and learn some games kids would have enjoyed at Barrington in 1850. Contact Barb King for details at 936-878-2214.

July 25th & 26th, 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...

August 1st & 2nd, 10a, 1p, 3p
Fancy learning 1850’s style? You can mind your manners and your ABC’s down on the Farm for a period school lesson, while getting ready to head back for your upcoming school year! For more information please call Barb King at 936-878-2214.

August 8th & 9th, 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!...

August 15th & 16th, 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.

August 22nd & 23rd, 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.