Christmas celebrated in 19th Century style at Winedale 

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Providing special sounds during the celebration were the Star of Texas Dulcimers. The group is comprised of (from left) Becky Kubicek of Brenham; Gerald Humphreys of Anderson; Nita Scates of Round Top; Judy Bruns of Brenham; Beverly Williams of Brenham; Dixie Voskamp of Brenham.  � Staff photo by Taylor

Dec. 22, 2005 - The Winedale complex is designed to “foster an understanding of Texas history and culture,” but on Dec. 11, it also promoted a delightful, seasonal celebration for people of all ages.

The “Winedale Christmas: A 19th Century Celebration” not only included a tour of old homes decorated for the holidays, but also plenty of unique activities that ranged from goose plucking to stagecoach rides.

Winedale is a complex of 19th-century and modern structures on 225 acres near Round Top.

The activities on Dec. 11 included tours of several of the homes, such as the Joseph George Wagner House and the George McGregor House, who was a doctor. Each home was seasonally decorated as they would have been in the 1880s and 1870s, respectively.

Many demonstrations were part of the celebration, as well. A favorite were the Star of Texas Dulcimers who demonstrated their skills playing Christmas carols on the unique string instrument. There was, also, “goose plucking” in the barn, natural ornament making and quilting and needlework demonstrated by the Colorado Valley Quilt Guild.

Alice Darnell of  Ledbetter spins some yarn while explaining how the process is completed. � Staff photo by Taylor

Children were treated to a “petting zoo,” thanks to Fayette County 4-H members and their livestock, and got a look at how loom weaving and spinning wheels were used to create material and clothing, in the 19th century. As Alice Darnell of Ledbetter explained, “… it took about a year-and-a-half from planting the plant in the ground, to picking and spinning the raw products into yarn so that it could be made into clothing.

Stagecoach rides, and hay wagon rides, were offered. Visitors were also treated to cookies, hot cider of cold lemonade, compliments of Winedale, and a “Hunter’s Stew” was offered for purchase.

During the afternoon, Round Top area children presented the “Second Shepherd’s” play, under the direction of Dr. James “Doc” Ayres, founder of the Shakespeare at Winedale program. 

Those attending the “celebration” were also educated on the center, which underwent a two-year restoration project in the early 2000s. Winedale is one of four divisions of the Center for American History, and is part of the University of Texas in Austin. The center is open to elementary and secondary school students, as well as college and university classes in history.

According to history, “Winedale derives its name from a German community that existed briefly after 1870 in Washington County.” Local farmers cultivated grapes and the post office had the name, “Winedale.” After 1881, the village relocated to Fayette County along Jacks’ Creek where it “centered on a local residence, once known, locally, as Sam Lewis’ Shopping Place, and, later, the Stagecoach Inn.” Members of the Wagner family continued to live in the home for 80 years, and it is now the center of the property.

Finally, Winedale is the site of several wildlife habitat demonstrations connected with Texas Cooperative Extension’s South Central Texas Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project.

(Winedale administrative office and Visitor Center are open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Guided tours are offered several times a day. For more information, visit online at www.winedale.org.)