A Day at George Ranch

Last Saturday, Michael and I took a trip down to the George Ranch Historical Park.  It was a fun day out (seems like forever since we've done something like this!), and an excuse to see Grace volunteering.  The day was cool and a little windy, and there were quite a few families there enjoying the special Christmas theme that was set for the day.

George Ranch is a group of historical homes set on a 20,000 acre working ranch.  It is trip through 100 years of Texas history as you visit homes from the 1830's, 1860's, 1890's, and 1930's.  The family lived on the ranch until the 1970's, and you will find the name "George" throughout our area because of their charitable actions.

We started off watching some cowboys working cattle.  They were demonstrating their roping skills.  It was fun to watch them, and I wondered in amazement at the skill that would be required to rope a cow out in the open on a running horse!

The horses and longhorn cattle were part of the 1830's stock farm house/cabin.  I forgot to take a picture at the cabin itself, but we saw a cowboy playing guitar, the dogtrot style cabin with no glass windows, a deer pelt being tanned, and a shotgun being fired.  We also sampled some Mexican hot cocoa - it had a cayenne pepper kick to it!  

Next was the 1860's house.  I loved all the Christmas decor throughout the park!

Grace brought an egg home from the free range chickens.  Look at their fluffy feet!

Grace was working in the house, giving a mini-tour of the two parlors in the 1860's house.  When the crowds slowed down, she was able to sit and hand sew some curtains using the fabric you see on the left chair.

The wallpaper was a sign of the family's wealth.

Can you imagine having candles on a Christmas tree?

I am holding my hair down because it is so windy.  Luckily they had a tram around the park, which helped Michael with some of the longer distances.  His knee is still bothering him.

On to the 1890's.  This house was originally in town, and the historical society had it moved out to the ranch all in one piece!

And finally this house from the 1930's, where the last generation of the family lived until the 1970's.

The trees were incredible!
We listened to a barbershop quartet outside the house.

Much of the 1930's house reminded me of my great-grandmother's and grandmother's furniture.  Classic!

This room on the side of the house was the only room that the ranch hands could enter.

This chapel was near the 1930's house.

It was a really fun time seeing all the historical houses.  We had visited before, but at that time, they didn't have as many interactive things and costumed guides.  We also loved seeing Grace volunteer!