you are cordially invited to attend - imagination fort...

Imagination Fort Worth “Welcome Back to the Fort” A Study of Fort Worth’s Community

You are cordially invited to attend Major Ripley Arnold’s birthday party!

January 17, 1850

Characters from the fort will be traveling forward in time to come and meet you. Join them as they prepare for Major

Arnold’s surprise party. Coming in from Fort Graham, Major Arnold and his friend, Delaware Indian scout John

Lewis, are expected back at the fort any time now…

Imagination Fort worth Welcome Back to the Fort: A Study of Fort Worth’s Community

Who are you going to meet? The Masons: Bob Holmes will tell you about the many of Fort Worth’s founding fathers who were Masons. Clara Ruddell will introduce you to “Mason”, the beloved Masonic Bell, and its importance. Early Settlers: Twice Upon a Time Storytellers will portray George “Press” and Jane Farmer, settlers who were here before the military built the fort. Lonna Baker will talk about the way people dressed at the time. The Military: Company F, 2nd Dragoons and their military duties will be covered by Tim Dersham. Without the military encampment , Fort Worth may never have become the thriving city it is today. Native Americans: Eddy Sandoval will talk about the role of Native American’s in the area. He might teach you how to create a bow from a Bois D’arc branch, or another excellent present for the Major’s birthday. Community Around the Fort: Rena Lawrence, from Log Cabin Village will show what it took to keep the fort in shape. Families & Culture at the Fort: You will learn about the Arnold Family and others at the fort. Dr. Gouhenant will be here to teach us about music and dance at the fort.

Imagination Celebration Welcome Back to the Fort: Of Fort Worth A Study of Fort Worth’s Community

A study of community: This event will help fortify the concepts presented in FWISD’s 2nd Grade Social

Studies Pacing Guide: Living in communities The power of people The places where we live How communities grow and change Different types of maps Citizenship in the community How and why people gather in community Strength of Spirit How leaders and events shape communities Community service Human geography How geography affects our community. Maps, regions, resources and climate The bartering system What money is all about; “banking” How cultures influence communities Timeline of historical figures We are part of this place Early settlers and their “business plans” America at its best: we all contribute and make a difference

Link to Birdseye View of Fort

Worth http://www.birdseyeviews.org/zoom.php?city=Fort%20Worth&year=1876&extra_info

http://www.birdseyeviews.org/zoom.php?city=Fort Worth&year=1876&extra_info










Diverse cultures established early Fort Worth

Native Americans, African Americans, Mexicans, and European immigrants including: French, Polish, German, Spanish and Anglo settlers helped to establish Fort Worth.

However, this area has been inhabited for thousands of years by people who recognized the rich resources we have. Having a good source of water (the Trinity River) and good land (including prized grass lands and rich soil) made this area important well before the military or European settlers arrived. When the city was founded, it was a time of great expansion, as settlers were moving westward in hopes of a better life.


A Study of Community: In June of 1849, Fort Worth was established just east of the Cross Timbers on a carefully chosen high bluff overlooking the confluence of the Clear Fork and the West Fork of the Trinity River. The Company F of 2nd Dragoons and their commanding officer, Major Ripley Arnold set up the new U.S. Army post as part of a defensive line to protect new settlements. Arnold named it after his commander, General William Jenkins Worth. What Arnold didn't know was that Worth had died of cholera a few days earlier in San Antonio. Local Indian tribes , settlers and hunting groups were received at the camp as trading began.


What made Fort Worth a good fort site? •Strategically located •Supplies easily obtained •Located on higher ground for protection from:

•Floods •Indian Attacks

•Areas fulfilled treaty obligations with Mexico •Plentiful Resources:

•Water •Timber •Stone •Arable land for farming •Animals for hunting •Fishing spots •Grass for grazing domesticated animals


The Masonic Bell: The bell was made in London in 1782. It came to Fort Worth in 1855 as the property of Lawrence Steele, and was placed in Steele’s

Tavern. In 1871,it was hung in the Masonic Hall. It is now only rung on special occasions.

Poem to Masonic Bell (Poem by J.C. Terrell)

Our much loved bell, our Mason Bell, Could it but speak true tales ‘twould tell Of youth and home, and those old times, When oft we heard your soothing chimes.

And so ‘till be, when we are gone,

That tuneful peal will still ring on; And other craftsmen to brothers tell

And speak your praise, sweet Mason Bell.


The Masons and education: “Our Masonic forefathers supported the idea of free universal education for the citizenry. Masons were among the pioneers who moved into and developed new areas. One of their first endeavors in a new community was to build a Masonic Lodge. Generally, this was a two-story structure with the ground floor to serve as a schoolroom, the upstairs as the lodge.

Freemasonry is firmly committed to building a better community and a better world. For these reasons, we feel the nurturing of the leaders of tomorrow's society is vitally necessary! Freemasons must support the public school system. We are depending on our young people for the future, but for the present, we must let them know that they can depend on us!” (Frederick Eby, ‘The Development of Education in Texas’; quoted in James Carter’s Education and Masonry in Texas to 1846.)

Take an online tour of the historic Fort Worth Masonic Center: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_QDG9_8104

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_QDG9_8104


What the Masons did for Fort Worth: Names of local Masons you might recognize… Dr. Carroll Peak

Capt. E.M. (Eph) Daggett

Capt. JC Terrell

Capt. Kleber Van Zandt

John Peter Smith

Masonic impact:

Take a look at the history of the Mighty Mites a group of orphans educated at Fort Worth’s Masonic Home Orphanage who caught the eye of the sporting world: http://www.12mightyorphans.com/mighty-orphans-story.htm

http://www.12mightyorphans.com/mighty-orphans-book.htm

John Peter Smith

Eph Daggett

http://www.12mightyorphans.com/mighty-orphans-story.htm











The First Family of Fort Worth Jane and George “Press” Farmer:

George Preston Farmer (1817-1892) and Jane Woody Farmer (1827-1895) lived here before there was a settlement . The couple had been living in a tent on the Trinity River because Indians had burned down their log cabin. When Major Ripley Arnold and the Company F- 2nd Dragoons arrived in 1849 to establish the fort that become Fort Worth, the Farmers were right where Arnold wanted to establish the fort, so George decided to become the fort’s sutler =a civilian merchant who sells provisions to an army.

George, Jane and daughter Susan were listed in the 1850 census of the fort. After the Army vacated the fort in 1853, George and Jane homesteaded in the area, settling in southeast Fort Worth. George and Jane are buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. Susan Ann Farmer lived into the 1940s, witnessing the first ninety years of Fort Worth history. She saw Fort Worth’s population grow from three (her parents and herself) to 177,000.


Twice Upon a Time Storytellers: Portraying “Press and Jane Farmer”, they will present the story of the earliest “settlers” and the first fort “sutlers”, including an account of their experience as area settlers, the burning of their log home by Indians, and the relief they experienced when Major Arnold and the Dragoons first appeared and raised the US 29 star Flag as promise of a community and protection coming to the area. They will also talk about the chores young boys and girls had during the era, and the games they played.


Business at the Fort:

Generally, a sutler’s store was inside the limits of an army post. They first needed to receive a license from the commander prior to building the store. Usually the only local supplier of non-military goods often developed monopolies on simple commodities like tobacco, coffee, or sugar and that gave them power.

The sutlers would have needed to bring in special provisions for an occasion such as a birthday party. What special goods do you think they would bring?

Bartering Vs. Buying:

Bartering is a system of trade where goods and services are exchanged for other goods or services without using money. This was useful on the frontier where US Currency was hard to come by even at the forts.


Clothing of the Era: American clothing during this period was still very much regional. Immigrants held onto much of their traditional style of dress. Clothing also denoted social status. Only in America could the poor have the chance to achieve a better life, so for these people, clothing was an outward expression of the American dream. In the untamed American wilderness, things were a bit different. While European settlers took with them a combination of their traditional garb and their new American styles, these types of garments were not practical for the untamed terrain and their new living conditions. Clothing had to be adapted to the demands of the region. Many incorporated deerskin, fur, and other types of wilderness materials. Women planted flax which they spun into thread and wove into their own fabrics.


Types of hats worn in this era.

Prairie Bonnet Coonskin Cap Military Cap Use a painters cap to create one of these hats & wear it to the event!

To make a prairie bonnet wear your hat back on your head so that the bill is turned upwards and decorate it with flowers, gingham or plaid.

To make a coonskin cap turn the hat backwards and decorate it like an animal skin with a tail at the back.

To make a military cap wear the cap as it would normally be worn and decorate it with the color blue, military insignias and buttons.


The US Military: Company F- 2nd Dragoons

Major Arnold took a small party of soldiers to scout a good location for the fort. In late May of 1849 ,they found a site with all the necessary elements . So, they planted Old Glory on the future site of Fort Worth. On June 6th, Arnold was back with his entire command, the 42 men of Company F-2nd Dragoons along with a horse drawn saw mill. The men set to work building a fort and, by the end of August, they were ready to move in.

With a very distinctive uniform, the Dragoons rode horses and fought on foot until the mid 1850s, when they developed the cavalry tactics of fighting on horseback used during the Civil War. Horses and mules were as highly prized as cars are today. They used a shortened rifle, called a “musketoon,” and the heavy saber.


Parade Marching Grounds Typical schedule for the day: 5:00 AM= Reveille (trumpet) Roll call 6:30 AM = Call for breakfast (bread, coffee, bacon or beef) 7:00 AM = Fatigue Call 7:30 AM = Routine duties (hauling water, gathering wood, tending to the garden, kitchen duty, building repair, latrine duty) 8:30 AM = Select officers for guard duty- escorting prisoners, watching for Indian raids, keeping troops in line. 11:30 AM = Lunch Call 1:00 PM= Return to duties and drills for 2 hours 3:00 PM = Water break 3:30 PM= Sunset, fatigue duties 5:30 PM= Dinner (beef, bread, coffee) Sunset= Evening dress parade 9:00 PM = Taps

Learn more about life at the fort: http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/forts/meet.html

http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/forts/meet.html


Native Americans on the plains and along the Trinity River

There were a variety of Plains Indians in the area including the Comanches, Caddos, Anadarkos, Wacos, Tawakonis, Tonkawas, and Wichitas.

Their knowledge of the local plants and animals was vital to the survival of all settlers looking to live in this region. They had a strong knowledge of which grasses were best for grazing and what berries were best to eat.

They also had knowledge of native animals such as bison that played a part in practically every aspect of the lives of Native Americans. Fort Worth was the largest trading center for bison at this time. Early explorers and pioneers found bison trails to be level and safe passageways, preferring them because they were well packed down and did not lead to swamps or quicksand. In fact, many of our modern roads and interstate highways were once bison trails.


Do you always believe the press?

Read the article about the Dragoons (left) and

Ripley Arnold’s reply (below). What do you think?


What lived here during the Fort’s time:

Frontier families found game plentiful and wild fruits and berries in good supply. Deer, bison, antelope, turkeys, squirrels, ducks, geese, quail, catfish, hogs and prairie chickens furnished a varied diet, along with wild plums, persimmons, grapes and pecans. In spring, the land was a riot of grasses and wildflowers such as: daisies, buttercups, bluebonnets and sweet William. Mockingbirds, bluejays and scissortails were among the myriad birds found in the region.

Fort Worth Science and History Museum will provide a variety of specimens from this area.


Hardships during this era: Most farmers found wheat a better choice for cultivation than corn because of the climate, although getting either crop ground into flour or meal was a challenge. Often farmers traveled hundreds of miles to the nearest mills.

Of all the pests and hazards of frontier life, including bears, panthers, wolves, coyotes, foxes, drought and flood -one of the worst was grasshoppers. Capt. Pope at Fort Belknap in April 1854 reported an army of grasshoppers filled their tents. In October of that same year, grasshoppers were as thick as a snowstorm in the Fort Chadbourne area. One report said, a horde swept through the area for three days straight. …

In the early days of Fort Worth many residents suffered bouts of dysentery and malaria. ..


Chores to get the fort ready. Hew logs for a new flagpole Bring in extra water on a yoke Bake & Cook for the party Groom & Shoe the Horses Launder & Clean & Decorate

Log Cabin Village is getting the fort ready for the Major’s surprise party, and everything needs to be just right today


How did children spend their days?

Parents depended on their children to help out. Children’s days would begin at first light. They would go to the well and get water, bring in wood, lay a fire, and boil water. The children would then milk the cows and collect eggs. Without electricity or running water, everyday chores took longer. Doing the laundry might take an entire day.

Children learned to cook, bake, make soap and candles, sew and spin. Young children did household chores together and then around the age of 9 or 10 both boys and girls started to work in the field .For girls, working alongside boys was a big change. In more settled parts of the country, girls were expected to do only household chores.

In 1850 it is noted that the children at the fort had a pet deer.


Games and stories with string

String figures and string stories have been around for almost as long as people have been on earth. For example ,the Navajo used string figures as a way to memorize the patterns involved in weaving and sand painting. When children create string figures, they are exercising their powers of concentration and coordination and creating paths of muscle memory. All you need is sturdy twine or nylon cord for this excellent game.

Here is a link to making string stories: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/String-games+33/Cats-cradle-string-game+11989.htm

Brought to you by Twice

Upon a Time Storytellers

http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/String-games+33/Cats-cradle-string-game+11989.htm
















How can inventions change your life? Take a look at the following inventions that changed the lives of those in this era.

Photography =The Daguerreotype was one of the first forms of photography. Louis-Jacques Daguerre invented the daguerreotype process in France in August of 1839. American photographers quickly capitalized on this new invention, that was capable of capturing a "truthful likeness." By 1850 it had made its way to Fort Worth.

Safety pin =American mechanic Walter Hunt invented the safety pin. Needing to settle a $15 debt with a friend, Hunt decided to invent something new in order to pay off his friend. After being issued a U.S. patent on April 10, 1849, Hunt sold the patent to W.R. Grace & Co. for $400. Hunt then paid what he owed to a friend and kept the rest for himself. In the years to follow, W.R. Grace & Co. would make millions of dollars in profits from his invention.

Greeting cards= The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to ancient times. By the early 1400s, handmade paper greeting cards were being exchanged in Europe. By the 1850s, the greeting card had been transformed from an expensive to an affordable means of communication, due largely to advances in printing and mechanization, as well as the 1840 introduction of the postage stamp. Another great invention involving a greeting card can be seen on the next page, can you guess what it is?


Birthday cake The tradition of celebrating a birthday with cake and lit candles originated in Germany in 1746 when Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf’s celebrated his birthday in Germany. Prior to 1850 in United States, the observance of birthdays was not a tradition as it is today. Honoring Ripley Arnold’s 33rd birthday with a cake would have been a new way to celebrate. Below is a traditional recipe from a 1849 volume of The Modern Housewife, a classic Victorian cookbook that Mrs. Ripley may have used. (Major Arnold was born in 1817. How old was he in 1850?)

POUND CAKE—Put one pound of butter into an earthen pan with a pound of powdered sugar, and a little grated nutmeg, beat them well together with the hand until forming a smooth lightish cream, then add by degrees eight eggs, beating it for ten minutes after, then add a pound and a quarter of sifted flour, stir it in lightly, and put the mixture into hoops to bake.


Culture at the Fort: Ripley Arnold’s wife Kate, was a woman of sophistication, who frequently traveled with her children between Washington D.C. and her husband's outposts like Fort Worth. She and her children brought culture to the early days at the fort. Women tried to bring culture and beauty to the frontier by decorating the fort and supplying popular books .

Another of the area’s cultured inhabitants was Dr. Adolphus F. Gouhenant, a Frenchman who immigrated to Texas in 1848 . He came to Fort Worth, where he became friends with Major Ripley Arnold and Kate Arnold. A renaissance man, Gouhenant's knowledge of art, music, languages, daguerreotypes and wine making made him a popular figure in the pioneer communities. In the early 1850's, Gouhenant opened a studio in Dallas called "The Art Saloon Gallery." There, he displayed his paintings and entertained friends and neighbors.


Music at the Fort: There were various types of music at the fort. Some residents preferred classical music, while others had a fondness for folk music. Folk music was the popular form of music of the day and often followed immigrants from their native countries (such as Scottish reels) while classical music was considered the more cultured of the two. Both used similar instruments such as piano, violin (fiddle) and mandolin. (Harmonica and guitar, as well).

The Sawyer Family will be performing both classical and folk music of the era. Which do you prefer?

Links to Classical Music Links to Folk Music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbxup7NBQoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQLc4j9Hyk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD7TtE81gGA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fvpKs1WrnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbxup7NBQoE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQLc4j9Hyk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD7TtE81gGA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fvpKs1WrnI


Ripley Arnold is a composer?

When Ripley Arnold attended West Point Military Academy,

he co-wrote a song still sung at the academy today,“ Benny Havens, Oh!”

Military music was important not only for entertainment, but also

for giving marching orders and offering troop moral.

Have a listen….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybITKklvmL0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDFfLA7tNzk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybITKklvmL0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDFfLA7tNzk


We would like to thank our sponsors and performers, whose support made

this program possible. Historic Fort Worth Masonic Center = Bob Holmes

Texas Trail of Fame &Friends of the Cowtown Coliseum =Clara Ruddell and Doug Harmon

Eddy Sandoval

R.O.T.C.

Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau

Fort Worth Dragoons =Fort Worth Calvary Christian Academy =Tim Dersham

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Log Cabin Village = Rena Lawrence

The Lone Star Legacy = Lonna Baker & Friends

The Imports Store =Matt Kirkham

Texas Commission for the Arts

Michael White, Sawyer Family,

Kent Williams,

Twice Upon A Time Storytellers


We want to thank these funders who made this program possible:

The Armstrong Foundation Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County

Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau The Gary Patterson Foundation

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation The Rosenthal Foundation

The William E. Scott Foundation The Texas Commission on the Arts

Wells Fargo


Want to know more about the early days of Fort Worth?

Check out these resources.

tp://www.amazon.com/Fort-

that-Became-City-

Reconstruction/dp/0875651

461/ref=cm_wl_huc_item ht

http://www.amazo

n.com/Fort-Worth-

A-Frontier-

Triumph/dp/08756

52026/ref=pd_sim

_b_4

http://www.amazon.com/

Fort-Worth-Clay-

Perkins/dp/1930566107/r

ef=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=

UTF8&qid=1377745636

&sr=1-

1&keywords=the+worth+

in+fort+worth+clay+perki

ns

http://www.amazon.com/

Soldiers-Sutlers-And-

Settlers-

Garrison/dp/1585440647

/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books

&ie=UTF8&qid=1377745

746&sr=1-1-

spell&keywords=soldiers

+settlers+and+suttlers+r

obert+wooster

http://www.amazon.co

m/Twelve-Mighty-

Orphans-Inspiring-

Football/dp/03123848

74/ref=sr_1_1?s=book

s&ie=UTF8&qid=1377

745979&sr=1-

1&keywords=jim+dent

+12+mighty+orphans

http://www.amazon.com/Fort-that-Became-City-Reconstruction/dp/0875651461/ref=cm_wl_huc_item












http://www.amazon.com/Fort-Worth-A-Frontier-Triumph/dp/0875652026/ref=pd_sim_b_4












http://www.amazon.com/Fort-Worth-Clay-Perkins/dp/1930566107/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377745636&sr=1-1&keywords=the+worth+in+fort+worth+clay+perkins















http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Sutlers-And-Settlers-Garrison/dp/1585440647/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377745746&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=soldiers+settlers+and+suttlers+robert+wooster




















http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Mighty-Orphans-Inspiring-Football/dp/0312384874/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377745979&sr=1-1&keywords=jim+dent+12+mighty+orphans

















$25,000+ $10,000-$24,999

Sid W. Richardson Foundation Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County

Rosenthal Foundation Community Foundation of North Texas

William E. Scott Foundation Ellison & Edward Lasater Trust

Texas Commission for the Arts

Texas Education Agency

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

$500 - $9,999

Armstrong Foundation Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County

Bates Container BBVA Compass Foundation

Jill Black Colonial Country Club Charity

Communities Foundation of Texas Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau

Frost Bank Mary Potishman Lard Trust

Jack Larson Mollie & Garland Lasater Trust

Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing Ryan Foundation

Sertoma Club of Downtown Fort Worth Joe P. Strain

Target Foundation Texas Association of Parents & Educators of the Deaf

Virginia Street Smith Trust Wells Fargo Foundation

you are cordially invited to attend - imagination fort...

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