Virtual Museum

Matagorda Sword

Matagorda Sword
Matagorda Sword

This sword belonged to Col. Ashbel Smith. Col. Smith served in the Mexican War, and as captain of the Bayland Guards and also as colonel of the second Texas infantry. He commanded the head of Matagorda Peninsula as brevet brigadier general, and saved our coast from invasion. The letter at the bottom tells the story of the sword and who this sword has belonged to. This sword now belongs to David Glenn Barber.

By: Beth Barber

Treaty Oak Dulcimer

Treaty Oak Dulcimer
Treaty Oak Dulcimer

The Dulcimer was made in 1999 by D.L. Harwell. The Dulcimer is made from wood given to Mr. Harwell by The State of Texas from the “Treaty Oak” in Austin, Texas. The wood was poisoned in 1998. Five Dulcimers were made but only four were sold and this is the fifth one was given by D.L. Harwell to his grandson Justin Harwell. The other four were auctioned off to help raise money and to save the tree.

By Savannah Harwell

Playhouse Set

Playhouse Set
Playhouse Set

This dollhouse set belonged to Mary Long as a young girl. The whole set is about 80 years old, and was passed down from Mary’s mother to her. The set includes a bed, table, couch, bathtub, toilet, refrigerator, two desks, a grand piano, three chairs, side table, crib, wardrobe, radiator, sink, cabinet, radio, dresser, and a plastic baby.

By: Lauren Long

 

 

Hand-Painted Plates

Hand-Painted Plates
Hand-Painted Plates

This set of hand painted plates belonged to my Great Grandmother in 1952. She gave the plates to my Grandmother, Sureal Guin in 1965. My Grandmother kept them stored so they would not be damaged. In 1990, my Grandmother gave the set to my mother, Linda Hancock. These plates are not used for serving food on now; they hang above our kitchen cabinets as decoration and a sentimental reminder of the three generations they have come through. These plates are estimated to be 57 years old.

By: Hope Hancock

Crocheted Afghan

Crocheted Afghan
Crocheted Afghan

This is an afghan that was made by Marjorie Wedgeworth, forty-five years ago. The afghan is 5.8 ft. by 3.6 ft., and with every stitch she made, she put her love and kindness. When she died it was then passed down to Rose Sparks, her daughter. It has recently been handed down to Dawn Mitchell, Rose’s daughter, to show the three generations of mother and daughter.

By: Sierra Mitchell

WWI German Pith Helmet

 

 

 

These pith helmets were used by the Germans in WWI. The design originated in the country of Prussia, where the king thought that they looked handsome. They are very decorative
helmets and were made of precious metals at the beginning of the war, but towards the war’s end, when metal was scarce, they began to be made from lesser metals. The spike on top is actually removable, for when in actual combat. The emblem on the front reads, “For king country and fatherland”. It was given to Phyllis Summers, about ten years ago, and she still owns it today. It is approximately ninety years old.

By: Michael Little

Mason Bible

Mason Bible
Mason Bible

This bible belonged to Melvin Henley. In 1951 he was given this bible. He was in the masons for 58 years when he passed away. This bible now belongs to his granddaughter, Kristine Moon.

By: Ashley Moon

 

Dish From Germany

Dish From Germany
Dish From Germany
Dish From Germany
Dish From Germany

This dish belongs to my grandmother, MarDelle Bratton, who lives in Angelina County. She was born October 26, 1946. Her mother Ila Mae Glenn, fed her out of this dish when she was a small child. The dish is from Germany which was brought back by my grandmother’s Uncle Charles Cage from WWII between the years of April 1945 and the end of the war. As you will see on the bottom, the Swastika symbol, which was en extremely powerful symbol during WWII, which was used by the Nazis.

By: Aubrianne Clark