Living History Farms Bring Our Texas History to Life

If you think history is dead, think again. The past of the Texas Hill Country is alive and vibrant. Step back in time to living history sites across the area to see how people lived in the past. These farms, parks, and other sites feature historical reenactors who take on the persona of a person from the past. Visiting these places makes a great way to get yourself and your family excited about history.

1. Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

Photo: Facebook/Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms is an all-in-one destination for multiple living history demonstrations of Texas history. You’ll find six different sites that depict different locations and times. Check out the 1873 Texian farm, 1853 Walnut Creek greenbelt, 1868 German emigrant cabin, 1841 Tonkawa encampment, 1899 Sprinkle Corner, and 1886 Cotton Planter’s farm. Whatever culture or time period of Texas history you enjoy most, you’ll likely find a place at Pioneer Farms to explore that time more in-depth.

2. Sauer-Beckmann Farm

Photo: Facebook/LBJ State Park and Historic Site – Texas Parks and Wildlife

Located on the grounds of Lyndon B. Johnson State Park, the Sauer-Beckmann Farm gives you a glimpse into life early in the 20th century on a Texas-German farm. Life on the farm is conducted by re-enactors as it existed around 1900 when the Beckmann family purchased this farm from the Sauer family, who had owned it since 1869. You can witness people scrubbing floors with homemade soap, churning butter, and plowing the fields. This living history farm gives visitors a perfect look at how much work went into running a 19th-century farm.

3. Fort Martin Scott

Photo: Facebook/Fort Martin Scott

Fort Martin Scott stands out as a military living history site. While other locations depict farm life, this one shows life on a frontier military camp. To take part in the reenactments, visit Fort Martin Scott during the spring for the Fort Martin Scott Days or in the fall for Frontier Days. At these times, you may encounter people reliving the experiences of Native Americans, lawmen, citizens, and military personnel from the 19th century. The rest of the year, you can explore this park near Fredericksburg for free, Thursdays through Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The buildings and interpretive center are open Fridays through Mondays.