Cooking in the Kitchen & Quarter

Enslaved women and men, such as Mary, Jerry, Willis, Amy, and Charity, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Start your experience behind the Jones Home in the bustle of a busy plantation kitchen and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of a hearth cooked meal being prepared. Journey to the other side of the plantation and learn what foods Mary, Jerry, or Willis would prepare for themselves in the Quarter. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

Cooking in the Kitchen & Quarter

Enslaved women and men, such as Mary, Jerry, Willis, Amy, and Charity, were an integral part of the full story of Barrington. Start your experience behind the Jones Home in the bustle of a busy plantation kitchen and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of a hearth cooked meal being prepared. Journey to the other side of the plantation and learn what foods Mary, Jerry, or Willis would prepare for themselves in the Quarter. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning was a yearly ritual that modern conveniences have obliterated the need to do. Preparing a home for warmer weather by chasing out cobwebs and dirt, scrubbing walls and floors, was much more laborious in the 1850s than cleaning today! Help sweep, wash windows, beat rugs and mattresses, and wash and wax furniture as needed. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning was a yearly ritual that modern conveniences have obliterated the need to do. Preparing a home for warmer weather by chasing out cobwebs and dirt, scrubbing walls and floors, was much more laborious in the 1850s than cleaning today! Help sweep, wash windows, beat rugs and mattresses, and wash and wax furniture as needed. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

Beasts of Burden

Plowing the land was a quintessential 1850s farming skill! Livestock trained to work, such as horses, mules, and oxen, played a vital role in the operations of early Texas farms. Whether it was pulling plows, harrowing fields, hauling cotton, or cultivating corn, beasts of burden made light work of sometimes daunting tasks. Join Barrington Plantation and the Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association in a unique opportunity to experience draft animals at work! Various aspects of field preparation using horses and oxen will be demonstrated, with some hands-on opportunities. Activities are dependent on weather and soil conditions. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

Beasts of Burden

Plowing the land was a quintessential 1850s farming skill! Livestock trained to work, such as horses, mules, and oxen, played a vital role in the operations of early Texas farms. Whether it was pulling plows, harrowing fields, hauling cotton, or cultivating corn, beasts of burden made light work of sometimes daunting tasks. Join Barrington Plantation and the Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association in a unique opportunity to experience draft animals at work! Various aspects of field preparation using horses and oxen will be demonstrated, with some hands-on opportunities. Activities are dependent on weather and soil conditions. Contact us at BarringtonPlantation@thc.texas.gov or 936-878-2214 x248 for more information.

A Toast to Texas Family Festival

Join us for A Toast to Texas Family Festival on March 1st at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site as we celebrate the Anniversary of Signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.
Due to the ongoing renovations at the Historic Site, this event will be smaller and will temporarily replace our Texas Independence Day Celebration.
Parking & the event will be admission free.
To kick off the event, we will have an opening ceremony at Barrington Plantation starting at 10am.
Entertainment: Period performers such as Punch and Judy- Mr. Punch and Co. return with their historic puppet show to be enjoyed by all ages! The show has all of the fun, laughs, and chaos of a traditional Punch & Judy puppet show but has been created for modern audiences. Mr. Punch celebrates his 363rd birthday this May, first appearing in London, England in May of 1662 as an Italian marionette show. His first documented appearance in the American Colonies was in January 1742 and he has performed for generations.
Professor Gerard’s Magic Show
Professor Thompson S. Gunn & His Mystic Arts of Asia, the Far East, & India – Professor Thompson S. Gunn’s Mystic Arts of Asia, the Far East & India is a fun-filled comedy stunt show suitable for all ages. The Professor does one dangerous stunt after another – yet feels no pain & suffers no injury. He hammers an 8-inch metal spike into his skull! Jumps barefoot on broken glass! Eats & breathes fire with ease – and so much more! You will be amazed, intrigued & confounded by this world-renowned show.
Historical Scenes: Independence Day Dinner Party vignette that guests can attend and an Independence Ball where visitors can dance to period music.
2nd Annual Republic of Texas Chili Cookoff where Texas Historical Commission sites compete with the winner taking home the belt and showcase historic chili recipes.
Cannon and Musket firings presented by the Rolling Thunder.
Speeches, Toasts, Readings, and Demonstrations: Readings of the Declaration of Independence, speeches & poems from the period along with historical organization booths and demonstrations of woodworking and blacksmithing.
Food trucks will be available for onsite purchases.

Chapelton Vineyards Fun Run

Make sure you don’t miss out on the upcoming Chapelton Fun Run & Walk benefitting the Washington County Volunteer Fire Department and the Baylor Scott White Foundation!

🏁 The 5k/10k race will start at 8:00 AM, and the 1k race will start at 8:30 AM.

🏅 Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each race (both men and women).

Pricing
General – $35
Wine Club – $25
Children – Free