Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Fifteen years ago, on the sixtieth anniversary of Caddo Lake State Park, a time capsule was buried at the site.

I wasn’t here, so I don’t know what’s in that time capsule; it’s going to be very interesting to dig it up.

Superintendent Todd Dickinson says July 4th, the 75th anniversary of the park, staff will unearth that capsule.

That’s correct. We’ll be unearthing a time capsule which was placed at the sixtieth anniversary, and we’re trying to find as many people as we can that were here at the sixtieth anniversary, so they can participate in this.

They intend to rebury the container with new artifacts, to be opened in 2084, the park’s 150th anniversary; you can help decide what future Texans find.

On this day, we will be gathering items, but we’re not going to actually place [bury] the new time capsule probably until two or three weeks later, once we decide what all’s actually going to go in there.

In addition to images and artifacts from the park and region, Dickinson hopes to add something truly special.

There’s a handful of people that were here at the grand opening, you know, as children, seventy-five years ago. And. We’re going to try really hard to have them be here on that day and maybe—if they will—put some thoughts down on paper about what they remember and what’s changed over the years. And that would be something that we could include in the time capsule.

So what should go into the time capsule? Log onto passporttotexas.org and let us know; we’ll pass along your suggestions.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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July 4, 2009 — Caddo Lake SP & WMA — 75th Anniversary — Originally celebrated on July 4, 1934, the park was the first authorized Civilian Conservation Corps project for a Texas state park. The day s events will include the unearthing of a time capsule buried at the 60th Anniversary, plus we will be gathering items to place in a new time capsule. This new capsule will be opened at the 100th Anniversary Celebration. Also, there will be traveling exhibits depicting historical information about both the Caddo Indians and the CCC. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (903) 679-3351.

Caddo Lake State Park Time Capsule Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

We have something in common with early Texans.

Christmas, and the month of December—in large part—was the time when Texans gathered.

Cynthia Brandimarte is program director for Texas historic sites. Unlike today when a short trip by car or plane gets us to our holiday destinations, travel was difficult for early Texans.

And so when you traveled, you tended to stay. People had time at Christmas to do that—to travel and spend weeks.

Which makes the few days that most of us get off at Christmas seem like a rip off. Early Texans made good use of this block of time.

It was then that they celebrated not only Christmas, but other special events, and planned weddings for the month of December.

Since Texas was mostly rural in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, and there wasn’t a lot of farming that could happen in December…

It almost gave 19th Century and early 20th Century rural Texans an excuse not to work. And thus to play a bit more, and socialize a bit more, than they had time to do during many other months of the year.

How will you spend your Holiday? Tell us at passporttotexas.org.

From all of us at Passport to Texas, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The custom of decorating trees for Christmas took root in German villages during the sixteenth century.

A lot of Germans, as you know, settled Texas. And they brought a tradition with them of the tabletop Christmas tree.

Cynthia Brandimarte is program director for Texas historic sites.

When you look at interior photographs of Texas houses, you see many tabletop Christmas trees ornamented for the season, particularly in German households in the late nineteenth century Texas.

Ornaments were handmade then, and small gifts often dangled from branches. Eventually, the tabletop conifer gave way to larger trees that became “floor models,” and the decorations sometimes mirrored the day’s events.

You saw more and more seven or eight feet trees that were placed on the floor. And because we had just ended the Spanish American war in victory, there was a fashion in the early part of the twentieth century to decorate trees with a few American flags here and there. We have photographic evidence for that.

What kinds of ornaments will hang from your tree this year? Tell us about them at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… we record our series at the Production Block studios in Austin, Texas, and For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Brief History of Christmas Tree in Texas Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Whether you’re a native Texan or got here as soon as you could…the place to be on Saturday and Sunday, March first and second is Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site–the “Birthplace of Texas,” where we’ll be celebrating 172 years of Texas Independence.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site honors the 59 men who met there in March 1836 to declare Texas a free and independent nation.

Throughout the weekend historical re-enactors, skilled artisans and period musicians will transport visitors back to a time when Texas was a struggling young nation.

In addition, a special ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon honoring Texas’ past and present ending with a Texas sized birthday cake. Maybe it won’t really be as big as Texas, but it’ll get pretty darned close.

Because it’s a party, tour fees will be waived on this special weekend so all Texans—as well as those who simply love the Lone Star State–can learn about our common heritage.

So, make plans to be in Washington, Texas, at Washington-on-the-Brazos Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days to celebrate Texas Independence …at the “Birthplace of Texas.”

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Texas Independence Day Celebration Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, about 40 miles west of Del Rio, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the world of our ancient ancestors.

Seminole Canyon, and in fact, in this regions of Texas, here, we have some of the finest archeology in the state.

Jack Johnson is an archaeologist and educator. He’s organizing the first ever Archaeolympics at Seminole Canyon State park and Historic Site, where individuals and teams will test their skills using replicas of ancient weapons.

When you use these weapons, you’re like, ‘you know, I could do this. I could make a living doing this. I could feed myself.’ Or you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh. I would starve.’

To participate in the February 9th event, you’ll need to register—and there’s still time. Find out how at passporttotexas.org. The competition is open to individuals and teams.

The team would be perfect for families or any group that would want to compete in teams of up to five people. We’re going to have a number of targets set up along a nature trail at Seminole Canyon SP. Walk along the trail, and take shots at different targets from different ranges, different angles, and that kind of stuff. And it’s going to be scored.

Spectators are welcome. Visit Seminole Canyon SP & Historic site anytime and get in touch with your inner cave dweller.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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For general information about archaeological sites, click here.

February 9, 2008 — Seminole Canyon SP&HS — Seminole Canyon Archaeolympics — Test your ancient hunting and survival skills at this first-ever event. Individual contestants and teams will compete throwing atlatl darts, rabbit sticks and race to be the fastest to start a friction fire using a hand drill. 1-4 p.m.; e-mail jjohnson at shumla dot org for more information, competition rules and registration or call (432) 292-4848, or (432) 292-4464.

Seminole Canyon Archaeolympics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download