Log Cabin Village is in the news!

Check out this great story about some great news at Log Cabin Village!!!

Keeping the past alive...

Log Cabin Village has dedicated itself to educating its visitors about the past. As time marches on and entire ways of life disappear in developed nations, our role in preserving historic crafts becomes even more critical. Increasingly more and more of our visitors are unable to say, "I remember when Grandma did that." The past as it relates to the frontier is becoming farther and farther removed.

While we all are certainly anxious to leave some of the hardships of the past behind (cholera, anyone?), we feel it is important to retain knowledge of frontier skills. It keeps our collective memories alive, it weaves us into the multicolored fabric our ancestors started, and it helps ground us in a realization that each of us represents one spot on an infinite timeline.

As our programming continues, our visitors increase, and our interpreters teach, we will be mindful of connecting our patrons to their history. We are continuing to seek local artisans who are interested in volunteering their time at our events to help keep the past alive. From knitting and sewing to carving and weaving, we invite everyone to escape the present...experience the past.

If you have a special skill that you'd like to share at Log Cabin Village, please e-mail me for more information about volunteering. We'd love to learn from you!

Log Cabin Village announces its fall line-up!

Mark your calendars now! Our special events will be returning soon!

September 19, 2008
TIMBER TALES STORYTIME
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Featured stories: Tortillas and Lullabies by Lynn Reiser and The Copper Tin Cup by Carole Lexa Schaefer. How can the objects we treasure bring back powerful memories? Learn with two wonderful stories about the continuity of family and our heirlooms. $3 fee includes a story, fun activities, and a craft, all geared towards 3-5 year olds. Please call 817-392-6769 to make your reservation (required).

September 27, 2008
HARVEST HOMECOMING
12:00—4:00 p.m.
No admission charge for this day only!!! Celebrate Fort Worth’s “Day in the District” at the Village! Enjoy a day full of music, crafts, living history and activities for the whole family. This is the Village's biggest event of the year! No reservations required. Be sure to visit other exciting “Day in the District” participants as well, including the Modern Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Kimbell Art Museum, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Community Arts Center, and more!

October 17, 2008
TIMBER TALES STORYTIME
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Featured story: Anansi Does the Impossible: An Ashanti Tale retold by Verna Aardema. The adventures of Anansi the spider continue with this delightful tale from our West African ancestors about securing folktales for the people. $3 fee includes a story, fun activities, and a craft, all geared towards 3-5 year olds. Please call 817-392-6769 to make your reservation (required).

October 18, 2008
JEEPERS REAPERS!
1:00—4:00 p.m.
We just celebrated Harvest Homecoming, but now it’s time to reap what we’ve sown! Experience grinding corn and wheat by hand, experimenting with squash, and using corn husks to stuff mattresses and to make placemats! From grain and grist to bread and toys, we’ll have it all...and you’ll help! No reservations required. Cost is regular Village admission plus a $2 craft fee to make a corn and seed necklace.

November 21, 2008
TIMBER TALES STORYTIME
10:00—11:00 a.m.
Featured story: Kindle Me a Riddle: A Pioneer Story by Roberta Karim. Frontier days are brought to life through a series of riddles in this charming story about a 19th century family. $3 fee includes a story, fun activities, and a craft, all geared towards 3-5 year olds. Please call 817-392-6769 to make your reservation (required).

November 22, 2008
WAXING NOSTALGIC
1:00—4:00 p.m.
It’s candle-making time! Come join us as we braid some wicks, dip some sticks, and have a great time making candles to last us through the winter! You can even dip your own candle to take home. No reservations required. Cost is regular Village admission plus a $3 craft fee to dip candles.

December 13, 2008
HOLIDAYS AT THE HEARTH
1:00—4:00 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays Village style! See how cabins would have been decorated, string some popcorn, help make pomander balls and tamales, spin the dreidel, and reflect on storied traditions as you pause from the holiday hustle and bustle. Make your own embossed greeting card to take home! No reservations required. Cost is regular Village admission plus a $2 craft fee to make a card.

Please note: we will be closed December 25 through January 1.

What does jazz have to do with Log Cabin Village?

Plenty! While our 19th century Texans may have swayed to tunes other than the soulful stylings of Buddy Guy, we KNOW they would have been appreciative of the community efforts that inspire us to mention the 6th Annual Jazz by the Boulevard Music & Arts festival.

Jazz by the Boulevard is an annual fundraiser produced by Camp Bowie District, Inc. designed to help raise money to preserve and beautify the Camp Bowie District. And a good frontier neighbor is always willing to help in these kinds of efforts!

Mention that you are a "friend/member" of the Village, and get 20% off a VIP package at Jazz by the Boulevard! (you must show your membership card at the time of payment)

Blog Gremlins...

Sorry about some of the crazy formatting in yesterday's "Help Wanted" post (if you were viewing using Internet Explorer)! Everything should be fixed now...

Help Wanted...

Would you like to work for Log Cabin Village? Here's your chance!

Position: Customer Service Rep. I (Historical Interpreter)

Hourly Rate: $10.28 an hour, less than 1040 hours per year, no benefits

Duties:

· Greet and help organize program groups

· Provide historical presentations and pioneer craft demonstrations

· Provide high quality customer service

· Assist curatorial staff with chores such as cleaning the cabins, dusting museum artifacts, and helping with reports

· Produce pioneer crafts for sale in the gift shop as time and duties permit

· Read and research Texas pioneer history as time permits

· Assist staff with special projects as necessary

· Position reports directly to Curator

Requirements:

· Must speak to large and small groups of all ages

· Must wear 19th century historical attire

· Must work outdoors with no climate control

· Must be willing to learn Texas history and pioneer crafts

· Must be able to work every other weekend (both days)

· Previous customer service experience preferred

· Must have high school diploma or GED

To apply, please visit the position opening on the City of Fort Worth's Human Resources web site.

The position closes July 25, 2008. Good luck to all candidates!

Tasty beverages...Village style!

It's hot outside. Even the geckos are sweating. What could possibly make you feel better on a sticky, sweltering afternoon?

How about an ice-cold tasty beverage?!?!?! Let's consider what our 19th century Texans might have chosen. Coca-cola wasn't invented until 1886. Dr Pepper debuted right here in Texas in 1885. What other options were there? Well, there was always water: mineral water was important, in particular. Iced tea has been mentioned in the 19th century, but remember--ice wasn't always widely available in the age before widespread refrigeration. Texas did play an early role in the soft-drink industry, but these drinks weren't always served "on the frontier."

As always, people made use of what was available, be it mineral water or drinks made from local fresh ingredients (or ingredients carried in by ship, trail, and eventually rail).

Here are some recipes you can try at home to beat the heat!
(recipes courtesy Children at the Hearth: 19th Century Cooking, Manners, & Games by Barbara Swell)

Strawberry Water

1 cup strawberries with caps removed
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups cold water
Juice of one lemon

Crush the strawberries with the back of a wooden spoon. Add one cup of the water and rub mixture through a screened tea strainer, (or whirl them in a blender). Add the sugar, lemon juice, and remaining three cups of water. Serve over ice with a lemon slice placed on the edge of the cup.

Pineapple-Ade

Peel a fresh, very ripe pineapple and cut it up into very small pieces. Sprinkle some sugar on top, then smash with a potato masher or a cup. Add water (you decide how much based on how much pineapple flavor you would like) and pour into a pitcher with a strainer lid. Chill for a few hours, then pour over ice.

Lemonade

Squeeze the juice from 3 lemons, mix with 2 cups water and add sugar to taste.