Special Exhibits
Celebrating Public Education in Lampasas County
March 2, 2018 through March 31, 2018
This exhibition coincides with Texas Public Education Month. It takes many people to provide a good setting for educating our children. We are honoring our teachers as well as the nurses, custodians, bus drivers, "lunchroom ladies," and administrators from Lampasas County Schools. Relevant objects from the nurse's office to the "tools" of discipline" will be on exhibition, offering a glimpse into the past. The exhibit also features interviews with former educators and students. We hope you will join us for a step back in time.
Let the Good Times Roll
July 6, 2018 through September 1, 2018
Spring Ho Festival through the years.
The soldier on the right, looking at the camera, is Sam Dickens - the grandfather of David Whitis and Kelly Whitis
In Their Own Words: Lampasas County,
the Spanish Influenza and the Great War
October 5, 2018 through November 11, 2018
Special presentation of extra materials October 6, 2018 at 2 PM; Encore special presentation October 20, 2018 at 2 PM
In the fall of 1918 more residents of Lampasas County died than in any three month period before or since. During that autumn the people of Lampasas County endured both the Spanish Influenza and the final months of World War I, by far the most horrific war the world had ever seen. The Great War, as it was then known, was the first “modern” war: the first war to see the use of tanks, airplanes, submarines, poison gas, massed machine guns and long range, high explosive artillery to cause death on an industrialized scale. But the war’s most efficient killer was the Spanish Flu. The war created the Flu. It developed and honed its killing skills among soldiers packed together in training camps, transport ships and trenches. When it emerged in its lethal form in early September 1918, it was like no flu seen before or since, selectively killing young healthy adults, many of them soldiers. Traveling with troop movements and along military supply lines, the Spanish Flu had reached every corner of the world by October. It is now thought to have killed up to 5% of the world's population - between 50 million and 100 million people - making it the single deadliest event in human history. Its death toll far exceeded the estimated 16 million killed in the war.
In Their Own words uses letters, newspaper accounts and other eye-witness sources to create a chronicle of the War and the Flu in Lampasas County, replacing mind-numbing statistics with human faces and individual stories. Lampasas County soldiers fought with great valor in WWI. Three were decorated. More should have been. Some died of the Flu before they ever saw a battle field, but nonetheless died in the service of their country. The Flu killed many more civilian residents of the County. The total number will probably never be known, but it was large, especially for a mostly rural county. Unlike in other areas, when the Spanish Flu hit Lampasas County there was no panic. County residents risked their own health to care for one another. And just as on the battlefields of Europe, many made the ultimate sacrifice as a result. Their stories and the stories of the soldiers, sailors and nurses who fought the Great War are more gripping than any fiction. One hundred years later, it is important that those stories be told again.
In Their Own words uses letters, newspaper accounts and other eye-witness sources to create a chronicle of the War and the Flu in Lampasas County, replacing mind-numbing statistics with human faces and individual stories. Lampasas County soldiers fought with great valor in WWI. Three were decorated. More should have been. Some died of the Flu before they ever saw a battle field, but nonetheless died in the service of their country. The Flu killed many more civilian residents of the County. The total number will probably never be known, but it was large, especially for a mostly rural county. Unlike in other areas, when the Spanish Flu hit Lampasas County there was no panic. County residents risked their own health to care for one another. And just as on the battlefields of Europe, many made the ultimate sacrifice as a result. Their stories and the stories of the soldiers, sailors and nurses who fought the Great War are more gripping than any fiction. One hundred years later, it is important that those stories be told again.
Calendar of Events
Teddy Bear Tea Party
April 14, 2018
The Lampasas County Museum’s annual Teddy Bear Tea Party will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 2:00 PM. Meet at the Museum a little before 2:00. Children ages 4 to 8 are encouraged to dress their best and bring their favorite plush animal. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made by calling the Museum at 512-556-2224. Please leave a message with the child’s name and age along with the name and contact information of a parent or guardian.
At the Teddy Bear Tea Party, young guests will enjoy “high tea:” apple juice “tea,” tea sandwiches (with the crusts removed, of course), cookies, and candies will be served. Carol Wright will give an etiquette lesson during the party, and Jan Vann will read an entertaining story to the children.
Reserve early; the tea party is limited to 32 children and fills quickly
At the Teddy Bear Tea Party, young guests will enjoy “high tea:” apple juice “tea,” tea sandwiches (with the crusts removed, of course), cookies, and candies will be served. Carol Wright will give an etiquette lesson during the party, and Jan Vann will read an entertaining story to the children.
Reserve early; the tea party is limited to 32 children and fills quickly
Lampasas And the great war
Boyce Cabaniss will give a talk on World War I. This event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, from 2 - 3 pm.
veterans DAY PROGRAM
November 11, 2018
Boyce Cabaniss, guest lecturer
Christmas Tree Contest
November 24th and 26th, 2018
Clubs and entities can enter a decorated Christmas Tree contest. Elementary school students also participate through their schools. Contact the Museum about participating. Gingerbread house decorating contest is concurrent and also open to individuals. This year's theme: A Barnyard Christmas.
Carol of lights and Museum Bake Sale
December 1, 2018
.Various Christmas events and the Museum bake sale fundraiser lend the Museum a festive air. This year's theme: A Barnyard Christmas
Tour of Homes
December 2, 2018
The Tour of Homes changes each year to show new and unique Lampasas-area homes. The homes are decorated for Christmas. In previous years homes on tour have included the old Lampasas Post Office (which has since been converted to a private residence), the M. Y. Stokes home, the Higdon home, and more.
Tickets are available through the Museum and at various local businesses.
Tickets are available through the Museum and at various local businesses.