Jacobs Ladder

Everybody has heard of a "Jacobs Ladder" at one point in their lives.  As a child, my only experience with a Jacobs Ladder was creating it with the use of string.  Not until my adult life, did I play with the actual toy at Star of the Republic Museum.  I was fascinated and filled with wonder as I watched the blocks fall.  I think I had more fun with the Jacobs Ladder than my kids.

Materials:  six even-sized blocks, three strips of ribbon, hot glue gun
 

1. Glue two strips of ribbon to one end of a block facing in the same direction
2. Glue one ribbon to same block, on opposite end facing opposite direction of first two ribbons
3. Place second block on top of first block.  Make sure ribbons are laying flat, and leave excess 

space for tipping effect. 

4. Repeat the gluing process until all pieces are affixed with ribbon.
5. Cut off any excess ribbon.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park

Washington-on-the Brazos State Park is considered to be the birthplace of Texas.  It is where Texas delegates met to agree on their separation from Mexico.  The 293-acre park consists of Independence Hall, Visitor Center, Star of the Republic Museum, and the Barrington Living History Farm.  All can be accessed by vehicle or walking / nature trails.

Inside the Visitor Center
Taking a look at the map, deciding where to go next.

Navigating on the Nature Trails

We decided to walk, like they did in olden times, rather than take our vehicle.

Random House located in the Star of the Republic Museum vicinity

Proof that I was there

Several photos are missing. :(

Duties during the 1800's

Learning how to remove seeds from cotton

The seeds are very small, and the cotton is extremely soft.
I cannot imagine going this on a daily basis for long periods of time with my already aching hands.
I can see how this would've caused carpal tunnel at the time.

Help from my son

My son, Cristian enjoyed removing the seeds.  He collected a small bundle of cotton and asked if he could have it as a souvenir.  They didn't mind at all.  Did I mention, the cotton is really soft?

Washing clothes (piece of fabric) on a washboard

I remember watching my grandmother in South Korea wash clothes at the river with a washboard.

My brother and I used to play in the water while she washed clothes.  I was about seven or eight years old.

Knuckles rubbing on the washboard

The clothes-line

Hanging clothes (fabric) to dry with wooden clothes-pins

Cook Cemetery in Lampasas, TX

While planning our out-of-town trip to Lampasas, TX, where my husband grew up, I mentioned to him that I needed to visit an old cemetery for my history class.  He asked me in surprise, "you haven't seen the one off 190?!"  I replied, "no, where, and how far does it date back?"  "like....1800's", he responded.  "Really?!" I said disbelievingly.   He was determined to show me from that point.

While driving into town, after a four-hour journey from our home in Spring, TX, he points at the cemetery as we draw near, located off of the main hwy, 190.  Of course I missed it all these times we've come to Lampasas!  It's barely visible and hard to notice, unless you were a native to the city of Lampasas.  The poor cemetery didn't look much like a burial ground at all, aside from the few headstones that were erect.  Parts of the cemetery looked as if someone had thrown large stones in random places.  The little burial site looked neglected.

He pulls into the entrance of the Tractor Supply Store off of Hwy. 190, where the cemetery is located, and gets out of the truck with me to have a look around.  It was there, at Cook Cemetery, that he proved the city of Lampasas has been around for quite some time.  I have never visited a cemetery that dated back to the mid-1800's.  It was quite interesting.

The engraving on the headstones that you could make out dated back to the 1800's.  The youngest death we saw was of a one-year old child.  The oldest didn't reach 60 years of age.

Brief history on Cook Cemetery 

Established in the mid 1850's as the first, marked burial.  Named after Arkansas natives, 

William and Cynthia Cook.

Less than one year old

Possibly a family plot

This plot consisted of both small and large headstones.

Citizen of the Republic of Texas

Largest family plot located at the cemetery

Stones scattered to designate plots

As you can see in this photo, there didn't appear to be an organized plan when burying the deceased.  It does seem that some families had more money than others and were able to afford headstones and sometimes engraving.

William B. Pace, Capt. Confederate States Army
Aug 9 1814 - April 29 1873
It appears that the lower engraved stone was added some time after he passed away.
Possibly, because his original headstone is a bit difficult to read.

Another plot with a wall built around
This may have been for one individual.  The family may have had extra money to build a surrounding wall.

No headstone, only a gathering of stones

The larger of the stones must serve as what you would typically be the headstone.

J. S. BROWN
July 20, 1818 - Aug 11, 1878
Age 25 yrs, 25d

Another site with flat stones used to surround the grave

Multiple Graves

In this view of the cemetery, you can see that burial places differed from one to the next.  There is no consistency in the aesthetics of the cemetery as you see in today's time.

Barrington Living History Farm

The Barrington Living History Farm is located in Washington County, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park.  The farm features a view of mid-19th century living and includes acres of farm land, live animals, a home which was occupied by the last President of Texas, Anson Jones, a separate kitchen, barn, and two slave quarters.

A view of horses and oxen used to plow the fields for harvesting cotton

A close-up view of the harnessed oxen used to plow the fields
The "Beasts of Burden" re-enactment featured a live display of the hard work endured by the animals and farm owners to harvest cotton.  All characters were dressed appropriate to their times.

The exterior of the fireplace in one of the slave quarters
The fireplace and cabin used mud, the cement of their times as insulation.

An exterior view of the slave quarters
This cabin is extremely small in comparison to the dwelling of the farm owners.

An interior view of the "nicer" slave quarter.
This quarter included a larger fireplace and what appeared to be more comfortable beds.  When looking around the farm, you could understand why the slaves didn't run away.  Where would they have gone?  There was so much land to cover in order to get off the property that surrounded the farm.

Hogs located near the slave quarters

The Barrington Farm House
On the porch, the women are removing seeds from cotton.  The interior consisted of their bedrooms, the dining room, and what appeared to be a living room.

The exit of the Barrington Farm House

Featured here is a lovely patch of blue-bonnets, the Texas state flower.

Star of the Republic Museum

The Star of the Republic Museum is located at Washington-on-the Brazos State Historic Site.  It contains 46 exhibits and covers over 10,000 square feet on two, separate levels.

The museum also includes the Showers-Brown Discovery Center for children and offers interactive activities that are even fun for adults.  The second floor of the museum features a walk-out patio from several exits.

You'll be amazed that the Star of the Republic Museum is actually shaped like a star.  The patio overlooks the Washington on the Brazos state park with its peaceful, green scenery.

The Visitor's Center, before proceeding to the Star of the Republic Museum

  

Walkway leading to the Star of the Republic Museum

The entrance to the Star of the Republic Museum

Posing in front a Sam Houston statue.

Stephen F. Austin was also poised at the other end.

Items used in the 18th century

Other items displayed during this period consisted of the flint-lock rifle and other weapons, tools, animals, dishes, home decor, furniture, doctors' devices, and dishes.

Water keg used for storing and hauling water

Hauling water was a tough job.