The End

Interest in our blog is waning. Most people follow HMI on facebook now so this blog may be coming to an end. Any comments?

Decisions....Decisions.....

We have lots going on at Historic Mesquite, Inc. and I'm so happy that you follow our blog. We also have facebook page that is gaining a lot of followers. I would love to have you follow us on facebook by following the link on this blog. Most of the comments left on this blog lately have been spam. It's much easier at this time to keep up with postings on facebook so please switch over if you can. We're so glad that you are interested in the goings on of Historic Mesquite, Inc.

Save the Date

Please save the date of October 23, 2010 for our next Dinner Under the Cedars at the Opal Lawrence Historical Park. Eddie Deen's will cater the event and there will be a live and silent auction as well as tours of the Lawrence House and the barn. More info to follow.

Big Time Billboard

Look at this awesome new billboard located at 635 and I 20!

Florence Ranch Homestead Furnishings Report

Many hours from many different people have been spent on the furnishings report of the Florence Ranch Homestead. Each room has been photod and a report written for each item in that room. All items have been checked for the correct number, errors have been fixed, and everything has been matched to our PastPerfect softward that contains all collections belonging to HMI. The inside of the FRH is complete and we are working on items in the store room and the outbuildings. Today, all the dishes and glassware in the dining room, kitchen, and shed room were washed and everything looks so nice and shiney. Please visit the house and notice how nice things are looking. Today was a mother-daughter cleaning day and the final item was a chamber pot. Apprently, Sarah didn't know the purpose of a chamber pot.....but her big sister took great delight in revealing all the details AFTER Sarah starting washing.

Achziger Third Grade Field Trip

The Achziger third graders came to visit both properties this week and everything went very well. Our volunteers worked hard to provide lots of fun learning opportunities and the weather could not have been better. Even my daughter, Rachel, was called into duty as a substitute docent so thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who gave up a few hours on Monday to host 105 students.

The Bell is Back

The Florence Ranch Homestead bell project is complete. Thanks to all who had a part in making this happen.....drawing plans, making the stand, conditioning the bell, installation, and funding....so many played a part in this project.

Awesome Surprise

Historic Mesquite, Inc. received an awesome surprise......a very generous gift from First State Bank. Thanks, First State Bank for your continued support of our preservation efforts in the City of Mesquite.

Florence Ranch Homestead....

Take a look at the new picnic tables at the Florence Ranch Homestead courtesy of the Historic Mesquite Foundation. Thanks to the HMF Trustees for funding the project and to Lynn Rockwood for assembling them. They look great and are a great additon to the park.

Arbor Day Observance

There was a great turn out on Friday for the Arbor Day Observance in spite of the less than great weather. Thanks to all who attended. And thank you to the Mesquite Rotary Club for their donation to reconstruct the Webb/Crownover cabin.

Webb-Crownover Cabin Completion

The Lawrence Outdoor Classroom now has a trailhead. The reconstruction of the Webb-Crownover cabin is complete down to the bronze plaque and it is a fitting trailhead for our wonderful nature trail. Historic Mesquite, Inc. is so grateful for funding by the Mesquite Rotary Club for the cabin. With the nature trail and signage complete and the cabin reconstructed, HMI is looking forward to developing a plan for the amphitheater at the end of the trail. Once plans are in place for the amphitheater, work will begin to seek funding for the final piece of the Lawrence Outdoor Classroom.

Beautiful Snow!

There was LOTS of interest in our properties during the recent snow. Many people offered photos of the houses but these are a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them, too.

Florence Ranch Homestead Bell Tower

The bell tower was installed last Friday and is still a work in progress. The bolts are being epoxied and tightened and the tower will be painted before the bell is actually installed. Can't wait to hear that bell ring for the first time......in many, many years!

Lawrence Outdoor Classroom....LOC

Work is progressing on the life size lincoln log project in spite of the rain. It's so good to see this cabin out of storage and being reassembled to serve as the trailhead of the LOC nature trail. The cabin should be complete in a couple of weeks in time for our spring school tours.

New Eastern Red Cedars

We have gorgeous new trees planted at the Opal Lawrence Historical Park. Take a look as you drive by the park.

Lawrence Outdoor Classroom....LOC

Look at the wonderful signs on the nature trail of the Lawrence Outdoor Classroom! I can't wait to see this trail full of people. Jessa and Charlene did a great job writing these signs and we believe this addition to the Opal Lawrence Historical Park will be well used. .

Florence Ranch Homestead Bell

The project to return the Florence bell to the property is ongoing. Our park coordinators have been reconditioning the bell to make sure it's in great shape when the bell stand is installed and the bell rehung. This old cast iron bell is looking pretty good after all the cleaning and polishing it's been given. The stand is complete and ready for installtion. Can't wait to post photos of the completed project. Thanks Donna and Linda for all your work on this project.

Happy New Year, Y'all!

We have the pleasure of entering a brand new year with all the hope and expectation that comes with renewal. Historic Mesquite, Inc. has accomplished many things over past years but this year HMI is on the verge of many projects coming together all at once. Thank you for your continued support as HMI moves forward with the renovation of the Noah Range House and the completion of the Lawrence Outdoor Classroom phase I. We have several smaller projects in the works at the Florence Ranch Homestead. Stay tuned for more info and photos as work progresses.