Barrington Plantation State Historic Site Events
May 2023
May 28
10a-4p
Spring cleaning is a yearly ritual that modern conveniences have obliterated the need to do. 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 at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more...
June 2023
June 3
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...
June 4
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...
June 10
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.
June 11
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.
June 17
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...
June 18
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...
June 25
June 25th, 10a-4p: Focus Day- Okra, Peanuts, and Potatoes
The garden kept by those enslaved at Barrington provided diversity to an otherwise bland diet, and more importantly filled the gaps in nutrition. Join us as we explore the heirloom varieties growing in the garden in the Quarter and take home a few seeds to start your own garden! Contact Ben Baumgartner at ben.baumgartner@...
July 2023
July 1
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.
July 2
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.
July 8
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...
July 9
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...
July 15
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.
July 16
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.
July 22
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...
July 23
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...
July 29
10a-4p
Fancy learning 1850s style? You can mind your manners and your ABCs for a period school lesson at the Jones’ home while getting ready to head back for your upcoming school year! Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.
July 30
10a-4p
Fancy learning 1850s style? You can mind your manners and your ABCs for a period school lesson at the Jones’ home while getting ready to head back for your upcoming school year! Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.
August 2023
August 5
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...
August 6
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...
August 12
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...
August 13
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...
August 19
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...
August 20
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...
August 26
10a-4p
Why is it important to know how to write a letter? Diaries, journals, and correspondence all contain the voice of their authors and details for their reader. Learn how to send a letter in 1850 and try writing with a pen and ink. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.
August 27
10a-4p
Why is it important to know how to write a letter? Diaries, journals, and correspondence all contain the voice of their authors and details for their reader. Learn how to send a letter in 1850 and try writing with a pen and ink. Contact Barb King at barbara.king@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.