Tuesday, May 15, 2018

JEFFERSON, TX CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT AND LIVING HISTORY EVENT

By
Minuet in G
(a 1979 Airstream that's ready to put on her Southern Belle hoop skirt)

What an exciting weekend with the North Texas Airstream Unit.!!!
(May 3 - 7)
Jefferson, Texas Civil War Re-enactment and Living History Event
Cuddos to Donna Scott and Sue Arnesen for organizing the activities.


I don't get the excitement about these dresses.
They are hot and get in the way of anything you are trying to do.
But...they make you look like a true Southern Belle...if that's your thing.


Here's most of our group.
Bunch of good folks that love to have a good time...


I really love these rally's.
I get to make some new friends,
and we gossip about all the owners while they are sightseeing.  Hee Hee
(...and there is always some juicy stuff, for sure)



Downtown Jefferson is adorable...
The General Store is a much-see.
It started out in the 1870's as a hardware store,
then later became a general store.

Dave said this soda fountain was just like the
one he worked at in Farmerville, LA while he was in high school.


So many of the ladies were dressed in their fancy dresses.
Where's yours, Vannie???


Doesn't this remind you of New Orleans...
Jefferson was ready for the weekend.


Perfect time of the year...
Flowers were blooming all over town.


Jefferson Historical Museum
It has four floors filled with historical items and memorabilia.
The building was once the courthouse for Marion County.
It also housed the post office.


This old barber chair caught Vannie's eye.
It was built for a child...notice the horse's head on the front.
As a child, Vannie actually had a bicycle that was very similar...horse's head and all.


The art collection was spectacular. 


This fabulous train layout was created by hand over a 30 year period
by R. D. Moses of Fort Worth.  It was donated to the
Jefferson Historical Museum.  The miniature Texas & Pacific Railway train
chugs along more than 190 feet of rail on a 14 by 48 foot layout. 
It moves through a 1950's West Texas landscape.


It even had an Airstream.
Now, that's the "cat's meow."


...everywhere you turn...


Jay Gould's private railroad car, Atalanta, has been
restored to its plush 1888 condition.
It's across from the Excelsior House, an exclusive hotel in town.


Mr. Gould's railroad had been rejected by the town.
He predicted the downfall of Jefferson
and packed his bags for Dallas.


It's a little ironic that the Atalanta ended back up in Jefferson.


But V and D were sure glad it did.
Beautiful beyond words...


Dave said..."hey, this reminds me of Gypsy and MinnieG."
He's so sweet.!!!


All the conveniences of home...


Can't go to Jefferson without going to the Jefferson Playhouse.


...and on this weekend, attend a performance of  "Diamond Bessie Murder Trial"
This was the 64th performance...WOW


This performance had a special guest star, Mickey Kuhn (the guy in the overalls).
He was a child actor in Gone With the Wind.


Gotta love a parade...especially in a small town.
Decorated golf carts...


...shiny convertibles...


...marching bands...


...and guys on horses...


After the parade, there was a battle re-enactment on the street.


Vannie said it looked real to her...
Lots of loud gun fire...smoke...dead bodies


Must have been a cousin.!!!  lol


Would you look at this.!!!
I got so excited.  I thought Gypsy Rhapsody had come to town.
But on a second glance, the sign said "Dirt Road Gypsies."
Two ladies had turned this Airstream into a dress shop.
Cool as cucumbers.!!!


Jefferson is full of beautiful old homes.


...and another interesting museum was Scarlett O'Hardy's
"Gone With the Wind" Museum
Vannie said it included everything you ever wanted to know about the movie...
costumes, rare books, posters, autographs, memorabilia,
and even seats from Lowe's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, GA,
where the movie was premiered.


...more beautiful flowers...


The Museum of Measurement and Time...and more.
Tick - Tock...
The museum features a large collection of American clocks...
tools used to survey and divide the land...
devices which measure. such as scales, barometers and various meters.
Also, there is a huge salt and pepper shaker collection.


The NTAU loved the Historic Jefferson Railway train ride.


The train is a narrow gauge railroad and takes it passengers through the
thick forests of the Piney Woods in northeast Texas.
V and D said they were treated to another re-enactment on the train ride.


Sunday Morning at the Christ Episcopal Church


A re-enactment of the actual ceremony 157 years ago...


...and the band plays on...

It was a most interesting weekend...
full of fun, food, friends, and lots of history.

No comments:

Post a Comment