Bring your entire family for the Founders Day Celebration planned for Saturday, May 11, 2013. It will be a wonderful time with Mother’s Day guests in for the weekend to share in the history of Fredericksburg’s founding which was May 8, 1846.
Founders Day Celebration will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013. As the 8th of May rolls around each year – it becomes time for the community to turn its eye to the past and reflect on the rich cultural heritage of the area. The celebration takes place annually on the 2nd Saturday of May each year on the Pioneer Museum grounds since the mid 1950’s. Visitors young and old alike will have the opportunity to observe many types of pioneer skills including blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing, wire fence making, antique tractors and engines in operation, corn shelling, and storytelling as well as make rope. The activities have an educational goal to enlighten the public to the customs and pioneer skills that were commonplace in Gillespie County during the 19th Century.
A Wreath Laying ceremony will honor the founding families of Fredericksburg at 9:30 a.m. at Marktplatz, 100 West Main Street. Immediately following the wreath laying at Marktplatz, all are invited to meet Glen Treibs at 11:00 a.m. for the second wreath laying and tour at Der Stadt Friedhof, North Lee Street. This cemetery was first known as Der Stadt Friedhof by the early German settlers. It was later known as the Union Cemetery and the City Cemetery before returning to its original name. Der Stadt Friedhof is German for "The City Cemetery". Meet at the cemetery entrance to participate.
Living History activities will take place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the museum grounds. Bring the family and enjoy pioneer activities. Roy’s research for his presentation in the evening has included visiting with descendants of the Heinrich and Carl Kensing, John Kleck, Julius Ransleben, Henry Becker Sr., Valentin Hohmann, Gottfried Heimann, Johann Fritz, Fritz Joseph, and Wesley Franz families. During the afternoon from 1:00 – 6:00 p. m. these founding families whose principal occupation was blacksmithing will have family memorabilia on exhibit in the Social Hall on the Pioneer Museum grounds. Roy Bellows will be explaining the blacksmith profession in the blacksmith shop during the day. That afternoon the historic Schandua house at 111 East Austin will be open for tours and a photo exhibit by Melissa Starry featuring “Schatzie Crouch” that afternoon.
Admission to the daytime activities is the regular Pioneer Museum admission fee of $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-17. Those five and under will receive free admission. Pioneer Museum is located at 325 West Main Street and parking is free. The museum gift shop will also be open which features a wide selection of books, gifts and collectibles as well as children’s toys from days gone
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