June 2009 _________________________________________ Carolyn Ernst, President
Our Museum attendance for the month of May was 2507.
June
6th was a special day for all Americans as we celebrated the
anniversary of D-Day. Many of our own fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons
served our country during that war. How many of you have had the honor of
traveling over to Normandy to walk the grounds of the American Cemetery on
Omaha Beach? How many of you have traveled to Washington D.C. to see the World
War II Memorial that was built to honor these brave men or visited the
Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery? The "Greatest Generation"
they've been called – and very worthy of such a proud and dignified name!
Why
not take your DAD to the Grapevine Historical Museum in the Cotton Belt
Railroad Depot this month? Father's Day may be noted on the calendar as
Sunday June 21st, but ANY DAY is truly a day to honor your Dad. One
of the display cabinets has many items that are from the War Years – not only
World War II but other wars. Go look at the ration coupons, the photographs,
the cans of C-Rations, and other wartime memorabilia. While you are there at
the Depot take the time to walk outside and look at the statue of the
soldier coming home. It tells its own story…Is that the woman's husband,
sweetheart, brother, son? You can decide that for yourself. Remember during
World War II soldiers didn't have an airport like DFW International Airport to
fly home to a room filled with welcoming families and friends. They rode on the
train to and from home and duty stations. Have you been one of those from the
Grapevine Area who has been at the airport to welcome home these troops?
Buy
Dad a book to read.
One of the two books published by the Grapevine Historical Society would be a
perfect gift. You can read about the men and women living here in Grapevine who
endured the hardships of separation and loneliness. Ray Hunter remembers
Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, in the article written by his sister
Inez Hunter Crow on page 504 in the Character book. Why you can even
find love stories within the pages of those books! Go to page 497 to read the
story of "The Wedding Dress" worn by Mary Jane (Janie) Harper
when she married her soldier beau A.J. on March 7, 1943. Go a bit further to
page 505 and read the story of how Harlan Jewett from the far-distant state
of Maine and one his Army buddies were hitchhiking from Fort Worth and then
changed their final destination to a house on the corner of East Worth and
Smith Streets in Grapevine where they met young and beautiful Inez Davis. History
was made that day and on June 15, 1946 as Inez became Mrs. Harlan Jewett!
Another
place to take Dad to visit is Nash Farm. On August 24th our Society
is going to visit the farm for a tour and presentation by Grapevine's own David
Klempin. Have you
seen how our scarecrow family has recently been dressed to be ready to
celebrate the Fourth of July here in town – decked out in their red, white and
blue? Don't you get lots of enjoyment from their ever-going story? Each time I
drive by there, I look to see what changes have been made – from Christmas to
Easter to this summer. Have you seen the new white picket fence that
surrounds the house and kitchen garden? Lots of exciting tours have taken place
this year at Nash Farm. Next August it will be our turn to visit the house
and hear what is going on at the farm! But now this summer you can wander
around the outside grounds of the farm anytime – so take Dad, take a good book
- go sit in the shade of the Pole Barn….and R-E-A-D about the treasures found
here in Grapevine!
Pam
Price,1st V.P./ Museum Curator (817) 481-3774
FROM
THE 2nd VICE PRESIDENT:
Newspapers all over the country are going under, and rumors abound about The Dallas News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Grapevine Sun has been telling about the happenings in our town for 114 years as it saw Grapevine's history reported to the townspeople as well as kept up with the gossip and interest of the goings-on for much of the history of the town. A sad day in Grapevine's history was on Thursday, April 30th when the last edition of the Grapevine Sun was published. We have invited Les Cockrell, our former editor, to be with us on June 23. Les will fill us in on the inside scoop of the paper's history and what's going on in the newspaper industry. We will learn about some of the news and stories reported over the long history of the Sun.
NO MEETING IN JULY. We'll take a break in July and return
on August 24th to hear about many of the old homes in Grapevine from
David Klempin, Grapevine's Historic Preservation Officer and Township
Restoration Coordinator. David has been instrumental in the preservation of
Nash Farm so our August meeting will be held there – at Nash Farm (626 Ball
Street at the corner of Ball and College Streets. Every town has old,
interesting homes. We hope to tell you about the history of Nash Farm, settled
in 1859 by the Thomas Jefferson Nash Family. David can tell us some interesting
facts about other homes in Grapevine's Historic Residential District.
Coming up later in the year, a program
is planned for you. There will be a discussion on one of the greatest
controversies in American history…with yet a new theory…so keep tuned in to
find out more about this event.
If you don't make all of our fourth
Monday meetings at 7:00, you are missing a treat! I will see you there Monday,
June 23rd. Pencil in May 2010 on your calendar for we have already
begun plans on next year's road trip to point of interest in Fort Worth. This
is way early, but don't miss Paul Benson's tour next year in May as this year's
tour was too good to stop without an encore.
Our
meetings are at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Grapevine Public Library.
Come join us! This is a great way to learn about your community, meet others,
and spend an interesting evening. As always we ask that ideas for programs and
presenters be relayed to the executive committee. Let’s work together to find
great programs and learn more about our heritage and community. You may contact
me at 817-481-8252 with your suggestions or visit www.grapevinehistory.org.
See
you Monday, June 22nd.
Ralph
Gary, 2nd VP/Program Chairman
FROM
THE TREASURER:
The
Grapevine Historical Society's April 30, 2009 checking account balance was $
11,076.30. May receipts totaled $1,177.54, of which $665.00 was from Road Trip
reservations, $240.00 from Book Sales, $90.00 from Member Dues, $ .39 from Bank
Interest, $137.15 from Museum Donations (does not reflect the last-week-of-May
donations) and an appreciated member donation of $45.00. May disbursements
totaled $1,402.49, of which $605.80 covered the cost of the Road Trip, $161.82
went to Communications, $534.32 to Museum Expense (Docent Salaries &
other), $94.00 for Administrative Expense (1-year PO Box rent), and $6.55 for
Scrapbook Expense and for Love Chapel dedication during Main Street Days. The
checking account balance May 31, 2009 was $10,851.35. The
Society's 3 CDs, totaling $21,099.43, bring funds to $31,950.78.
Margaret
Wood, Treasurer
FROM
THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR:
As
of June, 2009, we currently have 178 family/individual and 15
business/organization for a total of 193 members. Why not give your dad a
membership to the Grapevine Historical Society? Or invite your friends and
families to join us. On the Grapevine Historical Society's website you can find
a copy of the membership form: www.grapevinehistory.org.
Mail in your 2009 membership forms to the Society at:
Grapevine Historical
Society
P.O. Box 995
Grapevine, TX 76099-0995
We
did not have a meeting in May due to the Memorial Day holiday, but we'll look
forward to having you join us Monday, June 22, in the Meeting Room at the
Grapevine Public Library.
Once
again we will take a break in July, but be sure to mark your calendar now for
our August 24th meeting as we are meeting at Nash Farm with David
Klempin who will share the history of the renovation of the farm and the
farmhouse with us on site.
Janis
Roberson, Membership Chairperson
FROM
THE PUBLICITY CO-CHAIRS:
REMEMBER DAD THIS MONTH
GIFT IDEA: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS THIS MONTH FOR
HONORING DAD THIS "FATHERS DAY?" Have
you decided how you can treat that special DAD in your house this month as
Father's Day approaches? Share special events and offerings here in town.
…At the Gaylord Texan – "Friends and Family" special rates are now being offered
on select dates. Look for the notice in this
column; for details call the Gaylord or go to
their website http://www.gaylordhotels.com for more information. The Gaylord Texan is an incredible addition to Grapevine.
…Out to eat in Grapevine – Think of all the local restaurants we have and treat Dad to
a juicy steak or other specialty dinner.
…On the Vintage Railroad – special train rides for the summer…
-FATHER’S DAY TRAIN – June 21st at 1 pm at the Cotton Belt Depot.
Fathers get
to ride the train for free when accompanied by
family.
-INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAIN – July 2nd- 5th, 1 pm. Raise your flag and hop aboard
the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in honor of
Independence Day. Passengers will be
given flags to wave and can participate in
patriotic games on board the train.
…In Historic Downtown Grapevine - SUMMER NIGHTS – July 10, 17, 24,
& 31
from 7-9 pm.
If any of you have special news items
we should know about or have an idea for an article, please contact Margaret at
Margaretharper@juno.com or phone Janie at 817-481-1266.
Margaret Harper and Janie Harper,
Co-Chairs
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Remember
there is NO JULY MEETING! Our next meeting is Monday, August 24th
at NASH FARM, 626 Ball St. Visit www.nashfarm.org. So mark your
calendar now and make plans to meet us at the farm! David Klempin will present
us with an informative and enjoyable program!
Grapevine
Historical Society Books
1.
Grapevine’s
Most Unforgettable Characters.
Our book is on sale at the Grapevine Public Library. The book costs $85.00.
You can pick up your copy there or order it by mail. (Add an additional $5.00
for postage and handling).
2.
Grapevine Area
History. There are
still copies of our first book available at the Library. They cost $70.00.
(Again, add an additional $5.00 for postage and handling). Order forms are
available at our meeting as well as our website: www.grapevinehistory.org.
Mail orders
should be sent to:
Grapevine
Historical Society
P.O. Box
995
Grapevine
Texas 76099-0995
Follow these
links to view photographs of events our Grapevine Historical Society has taken
an active role in. Detailed information about these events can be found at the
link site for each group of photos.
1.
April 18, 2009 –
Civil
War Marker Dedication Ceremony coordinated by Mike Patterson of
Colleyville and our own Helen Jean Lucas Reed.
2.
May 8, 2009 – Our
Society's annual road trip included a wonderful tour of various historical
sites in the Dallas/Fort Worth area led by Dr. Paul Benson.
3. May 17, 2009 –
The dedication
of the historical marker at Grapevine's own Love Chapel Church of
God in Christ built in 1930 was made during Main Street Days.