Humble Beginnings
The concept of our farm museum dates back to 1993. During the Grayson County Bicentennial, organizers discussed the idea of creating something that would live well beyond the year's celebration.
After years searching for a suitable location, a local family came forth with a generous donation of 21 acres.
Judge Jack Matthews and wife Claire, involved for a generation in civic organizations, had a deep and abiding interest in the cultural heritage of this area. Their commitment has created a permanent home for the facility and the promise of living history for future generations to come.
Our Progress
A new generation of volunteers and preservationists are now working toward fulfilling the Judge's dream of building the facility that is today known as the Matthews Living History Farm & Museum.
Several years have been spent restoring a the physical infrastructure of the farm, much of which dates to the period. In addition to the existing house, barn and greenery, we have added a second barn, spring house, equipment shed, circa 1850 log cabin, pavilion, fences and other improvements. We have a complement of livestock--much like the animals they would have had at the turn of the century.
Current Activities
We are currently providing educational and other opportunities:
* Developing interpretive programs
* Educational programs for school groups
* Three Seasonal Heritage Events each year with demonstrations, lectures, hands-on experiences & good food
* A reinactment of an historic Brush Arbor Service each fall followed by a "meal on the ground"
* Leasing the grounds to Chestnut Creek School of the Arts for workshops in arts and crafts of the period
* Leasing the grounds to area artisans for workshops
* Leasing the grounds to area citizens for weddings, celebrations & reunions
Future Activities
* Research in recovering basic understanding of how and why people lived as they did
o ex.) Identify man hours spent on creating the clothing requirements in a year's time.
o ex.) Identify man hours spent on creating the families food supply for the year.
* Collaboration with local educators developing SOL based programing ranging from early colonial history through westward expansion and early industrialization, the civil war, etc.
* Collaboration with area County Extension staff & schools developing entrepreneur programs & nutritional education programming, and agricultural research.
More Information
For more information on the Matthews Farm concept and mission, please see the Mission page.
