19th Century Ladies' Conference 2007
March 30 - April 1
Fort Martin Scott
Fredericksburg, TX
Seventh Annual Ladies Conference 2007
March 30 - April 1
Time is here to announce the plans for the 19th Century Ladies' Conference. This year's theme is (TBA) and we have a great schedule of workshops set for you along with some special exhibits.
Please note: The following schedule is from 2006 and we should have an update soon....
Saturday
Vicki Betts will be talking on 19th C Flower Gardens of the South with a concentration on TX. Vicki did a super job last year on Veggie gardens so I am sure we will have a great chance to learn more on gardening with flowers this year.
Kimberly Scott is going to teach us the fast paced game of Whist. It was a very popular card game of the early to mid 19th C.
Karen Verschoor is instructing us on braid work. We have all seen the lovely designs in the fashion magazines such as Peterson's or Godeys and now we can reproduce them on to our dresses and other items as well. Karen said it is almost as easy as the hexagon quilt squares we made last year. I believe the project will be a pin cushion.
Pam and Bryon Robles will be teaching us all how to do the popular line dances of the 19th C and maybe a waltz as well. So there will be no excuse as to why we are not out there dancing at the next event.
We will adjourn for dinner.
Dinner will be served at the Fort. We will dress for dinner as well. So start planning that dinner dress to bring.
Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. If your gentleman has come to Fredericksburg with you, he is also invited to join us for dinner.
Sunday
After a light breakfast we will have a short church service. Janet Rice is in charge of our service.
After Church we will be treated to a special exhibit of period dresses and other items from the 19th C. I think Pam and Robin will have items from all decades or different decades of the 19th C. This is a must see and a chance that many of us many not get to see originals.
Lunch and saying good byes.
Conference Costs and Important Information
The cost this year for the conference which includes all meals and supplies will be $60. If you will be bringing your spouse or other half his meal will be $25 for Sat night.
In the past husbands who have wanted to come along have headed on up to Russell Hill Ranch for a weekend of male bounding. I have no idea what the guys have done in the past, but I think Bob is trying to get a trip to the Nimitz or LBJ Ranch. But then if you all wish to just sit under the oak trees and enjoy the quiet that is fine too.
Your reservation must be in to me by March 25th. To hold your place a deposit of $30 (plus $15 if spouse is attending dinner Sat night) must be sent to: Deborah Russell, 107 Itz Ranch Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. I can not hold a place for you with out your deposit.
On all reservations made after the 25th, the conference fee will be $70.
The balance of the conference fee is to be paid upon arrival Friday evening unless you have informed me you will be arriving Sat Morning.
Arrivals: You can arrive any time after 3 PM Friday afternoon. There is a light supper planned. If you will be arriving late please call to let me know that you will be late. If you indicated you will be arriving on Friday night but change your mind to arrive on Sat morning please let me know ahead of time or call. I would be grateful if you would please be kind in letting me know this so that I too can have as restful a night as possible.
Cancellations: If for some reason you have to cancel all moneys will be returned if canceled before the 25th of March, a partial refund will be returned if you cancel before April 1 after that you will forfeit your deposit.
In the past we have given a donation to the Fort if we have any monies left. We feel that it is wonderful of the Fort to let us come and use their place free of charge and it is our way of saying thank you.
If you have any questions or I have not covered everything please feel free to let me know.
Supplies
Sewing kit: scissors for fabric and paper, needles (sharps) black thread, pins, pencil, small ruler, and anything else you will need to sew with.
Note book and pencil or pen.
Other Conference Information
Location: Fort Martin Scott, which is just east of Fredericksburg on US 290, on the north side of the road. If you go far enough to see the Wal-Mart on your left, you've gone too far.
Travel Hints:
- If you are coming from the north through Austin, take IH35 through Austin until you come to the intersection for 290 West / Hwy 71 West / West Ben White Blvd. It is a flyover bridge, exit about mile marker 230. Stay on 290 W right into Fredericksburg. (290 doglegs to the right at 281, pay attention to the signs at Johnson City.)
- If you are heading in from Houston Take 10W to 71W and follow that into Austin. It will then hook up with 290 W. Stay on 290 W right into Fredericksburg. (290 doglegs to the right at 281, pay attention to the signs at Johnson City.)
- If you are coming down from the west side of the Dallas area or Ft. Worth, you can take US281 south to Johnson City and then take US290 West toward Fredericksburg.
- If you are coming up from San Antonio, you can take US281 north to Johnson City and then take US290 West toward Fredericksburg.
The Fort is on 290 on the Right hand side if you are headed West.on 290. Once you cross over a little bridge you will see a sign for the Fort.
Emergency Phone Numbers: Fort Martin Scott phone - 830-997-9895, my cell phone number is 830-889-0776
Camping Supplies: Think of this as camping without having to pitch a tent. If you need it and usually have it along, bring it. Specifically some things I know will be necessary or nice to have are:
- A sewing or handwork project to keep one's hands busy at the same time as one's ears
- Cot and sleeping bag/bed roll and blankets. A few of the rooms have cots in them but most don't
- A comfortable stool or chair
- Eating Utensils - what you usually bring to an event
- "Miscellaneous Camp Stuff" - the stuff you always bring and can't live without
- Lanterns - and matches - we will be doing without electricity except in the classroom, so you'll need light in the rooms. And on Friday night, we may try doing with out electricity in the museum building, just for the sake of ambience.
- A rug - if you have one and can bring it - the officer's quarters floors are bare and we get to make them homelike.
- Your favorite after hours refreshment for Friday evening - hot chocolate, whatever
- A dress or bonnet that you've trimmed out and would like to show off, or a dress or bonnet you want to trim and for which you need ideas.
Dress: We will be dressing out for the weekend and there may be spectators, or there may not, depending upon the weather, but this is a dress-up and let's pretend weekend. However, since we are short on space, work dresses and no hoops are recommended for day wear. We will be meeting in the barracks building, so we'll have heat/AC and light during the day. Saturday night's dinner will be in the barracks building; this is our chance to dress in our finest.
Facilities: Fort Martin Scott, as most of you will remember, consists of two officers quarters - each having two rooms off a central hall, with a fireplace in each room, and the original guardhouse/doctor's office building. There is also a new reconstructed enlisted men's that we will use as a meeting place. for classes and for check in and socializing on Friday night. In the sleeping quarters, we will probably be 3 to 4 ladies to a room, so this weekend will be something a cross between the dorms and summer camp. A map of the Fort is below.
Please note that security is questionable in the rooms during the day. So make sure you can tuck things away. It's just like a reenactment - generally people are nice and we've never had a problem, but we just need to be careful.
We'll be using the rest rooms in the visitor's center and the old caretaker's apartment. There is one shower in there but the hot water heater is small. Showers are available at the Road Runner RV Park just up the road for $2.00. You'll have to bring your own soap and towels and drive up the road, but they are there. Otherwise we can wash up at the sinks in the visitor's center or the apartment bathroom.
-
TLA Homepage TLA Membership General
Rules and Reg.s