Our house hosted parties during the Victorian Era that had people talking 40 years later. In this series, we imagine what some of that fuss might have been about by exploring some of the entertainments that captivated Americans in the latter half of the 19th century.
In 1839, Sam Houston wrote that, “there is no site more unfortunate on Earth for the Seat of Government.” See how Austin survived and grew in the century following it.
Imagine: Austin without small plates, endless varieties of craft beers, and fancy artisanal you-name-its. You’re on your way to picturing the fare available during the days of the Texian Republic
The furnishings and architecture of the Neill-Cochran House Museum ground us in a handful of different times; to walk in the door is to in part step into the 19th and early-20th centuries. As historians and preservationists, what we like most about hosting individual artists for WEST is that it allows us to see the difference between the Austins of the 1850s, 1870s, 1900s, and so on and the Austin we live in. Does that difference go beyond the modernization we can easily imagine or is it better thought of as a change in tastes and aesthetics in its own right?
However one reads our historic site against this display of the creativity of our present, we think that you’ll enjoy this unique exhibition of Austin artists in one of the oldest extant structures in town.
Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12 – 11am to 6pm (FREE)
Wednesday May 15 – 1pm to 4pm (FREE)
Thursday, May 16 – 1pm to 4pm + Exhibition Reception 6pm – 9pm (FREE)
Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19 – 11am to 6pm (FREE)
Use the force, my friends! The Neill-Cochran House was built before powered tools were portable enough to use at a construction site. The answer? Levers, pulleys, and wedges. Learn more about how we used to get the job done.
To round out our return to Austin’s origins, we welcome back Dr. Kenneth Hafertepe for an exploration on the material culture of the city in its first decade of existence.
Printed, dyed, woven, spun, embroidered–the list goes on: what you wear depends on what you can do to turn cotton, wool, silk, linen, and synthetics into finished fabric.
Hands-on fun? Check!
An Easter event that doesn’t revolve around candy or plastic? Check!
Multiple indoor and outdoor activities suitable for ages 3 & up? Check!
Free? No need to RSVP? Double Check!
And on top of that, this year 100% of the proceeds from this event will keep our longtime partners at Generation Serve investing in the youth leadership and promoting the volunteerism that make the difference for us and for Austin’s communities.
Join us this Good Friday for one of our most fun-filled community events of the year, as we open up the house and grounds for an afternoon of old-fashioned Easter egg dyeing, lawn games, and a chance to get to know one of Austin’s oldest landmarks at your own pace.
Easter egg dyers of all skill levels are welcome! Bring your own boiled (or blown!) eggs and we’ll provide wax resists, vinegar baths, and dyes, and, of course, take care of all of the clean-up. (We’ll also have prepared eggs available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis)
When you’re done working on eggs, enjoy a round of badminton under the shade of our 140 year old pecan tree or a scavenger hunt for either our historic house or our LuAnn Barrow exhibit.
Friday, April 19th
12pm to 4pm
Bring your own blown or boiled eggs (no raw eggs, please!) and we will supply all the dyes and decorations you need free! We will also be providing blown eggs on a first come, first served basis. We suggest a $2 donation for each egg (remember: eggs are pre-blown, so you can keep them for as long as you like–no refrigeration needed).
No RSVP required! Follow our facebook page for event updates and to invite friends to join in the fun!
Parking is free to visitors in the museum lot located off of 23rd street. Additional paid parking is available at the Quarters parking garage (map) at 22nd 1/2 street and Rio Grande.
Ever have one of those days when you realize that you can do the right thing and get fired or do the wrong thing and keep your job? Tell it to US Diplomat Nicholas Trist over a drink at this edition of our Historic Happy Hour.
Make your own buzzers and whirligigs! Wait, what’s a buzzer? Find out more!