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| Caitlin, digging through the cupboards |
Updated July 2026
During my years volunteering at a Central Texas living history farm, one of my favorite events each year was our spring farm festival. Visitors didn't just watch demonstrations—they stepped into another century. Between woodstove cooking, period music, hayrides, hands-on activities, and traditional crafts, families experienced a glimpse of everyday life on a Texas farm during the 1800s.
Why Living History Festivals Matter
Unlike museums where history is viewed from behind glass, living history allows visitors to experience it with all of their senses.
Children could:
- explore historic homes
- help with chores
- hear traditional music
- watch demonstrations
- smell wood smoke from the cookstove
- see period clothing
- ask questions about daily life
For many families, it becomes history they'll never forget.
We spent Saturday working the farm festival and afterwards went camping. I don't think the day could have been more perfect. The weather was a balmy 80 degrees, but there was a cool breeze that kept us comfortable. A Goldilocks day - not too hot, and not too cold! We had the Biscuit Brother's out, other musicians & dancers, a theatrical show, and hayride. Everyone said they had a great time.
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| Josh, collecting wood for the Homestead parlor |
Discovered a bird's nest in one of the bedrooms of the homestead.
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| Bird's nest at the Homestead house |
One of my favorite discoveries that day was finding a bird's nest tucked away inside the homestead. Nature has a way of reclaiming even historic buildings when given the opportunity. It reminded me of another adventure involving determined birds and our own front door—a story that still makes me smile today.
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| In the loft, overlooking the parlor. |
Upon discovering the bird's nest, another volunteer and I chatted about how bird's build nests in unique spots. She then went on to explain that she had a friend who had trouble decorating with door wreaths as birds kept building nests on her door. This brought to mind my own incident with BIRDS and FRONT DOORS! I had thought that only MY birds in the neighborhood were bird brained, but obviously not. You can read about this on a prior post here...
http://sluglines.blogspot.com/2008/02/knock-knock-whos-there.html
As usual, the fishing was incredible! Uncle Mike caught the biggest Bass in his life with a CANE POLE. Broke the cane pole in half. (He had to fish with a cane pole to keep the festival, era appropriate.)
Of course, can't knock those cane poles, or "toy" poles for that matter --- a 4-year-old near the Gulf Coast had caught a 50-lb fish with her Barbie fishing pole.
While shopping for new fishing tackle, I looked at those Barbie poles with fresh eyes when selecting one for my daughter.
Uncle Mike broke his own record again, by catching the largest Bass with a lure!
Stay tuned, Alan's on vacation, so we're headed for Longhorn Caverns in the morning -weather willing!
Stay tuned, Alan's on vacation, so we're headed for Longhorn Caverns in the morning -weather willing!
1 comment:
Looked like fun and hope today is also warm and not hot so you can enjoy your cavern exploring.
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