Living History

Stepping Back in Time

Have you ever considered what it would be like to go back in time? If you could experience just one day in the last 250 years of Texas history, what time period would you select and where would you go? What would a typical day be like? Would you thrive or just barely survive?

The Texas Historical Commission refers to living history as “various activities recreating the living conditions of the past” which provides “a way to relive our heritage by witnessing the day-to-day enterprise of our ancestors.” It involves demonstrating everyday activities such as cooking and cleaning as well as medical care, animal husbandry, metal working, woodworking, weaving and other skills and handicrafts. Living history events seek to convey a sense of the everyday life of a certain period in history in a certain place. In contrast, reenactments seek to follow a plan that re-creates a historical event. In both instances, research indicates that those who attend living history events or reenactments are likely to gain a deeper understanding and have a more positive visitor experience.

Those who participate in living history events are known as “living historians” or “living history interpreters” and are typically volunteers who go to great lengths bringing the past to life. They often do considerable research to identify and secure period correct dress, tools, and equipment.

Living historians demonstrate the U.S. Army camel experiment at Fort Lancaster State Historic Site | Courtesy Texas Historical Commission

Living history educator Henry Crawford portraying a Buffalo Soldier | Courtesy Texas Historical Commission

A living historian interacts with students at Houston’s Buffalo Soldiers National Museum | Courtesy Texas Historical Commission

Members of the San Antonio Living History Association portray General Santa Anna’s soldiers, who defeated Texas rebels at the Alamo in 1836. | Courtesy Alamy

In Texas, the most well-known living history organizations include the following entities.

Founded in 1970, the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) serves those involved in living historical farms, agricultural museums and outdoor museums of history and folklife. (see alhfam.org).

The Texas Living History Association (TLHA) was formed in 2012 and is a statewide organization dedicated to providing support, growth, and community for the living history hobbyists in Texas. An annual conference is held every January to share knowledge, best practices, and skills. Additionally, the organization promotes educational workshops and conferences throughout the state. (see texaslivinghistoryassociation.org)

More than 20 years ago, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department established the Buffalo Soldier program whereby volunteers represent these original soldiers at state park events and encourage outdoor skills and recreation. They conduct hands-on interpretive activities that center around the daily lives of soldiers and civilians on the Texas Frontier during the late 1800s. (see tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/programs/buffalo-soldiers/#programming and authentictexas.com/buffalo-soldier)

Bev Reeves with children's toys at Fort Griffin State Historic Site | Courtesy Margaret Hoogstra

Barrington Plantation State Historic Site

Ann Giddings speaking to students | Courtesy Texas Historical Commission

A member of the San Antonio Living History Association demonstrates life of the 1830s at the plaza in front of the Alamo. | Courtesy Alamy

Across the state and throughout the year, numerous historic sites, museums, and historical associations offer living history days where you can “step back in time.” We offer the following recommendations.

Visitors to Fort Worth’s Log Cabin Village can escape the present and experience the past. Located in a city park, this living history museum provides a glimpse into Texas life in the 1800s with staff members dressed in 19th-century-style attire. These living history interpreters depict pioneers in seven preserved homes and at a water-powered gristmill, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and in an herb garden. (See logcabinvillage.org)

Located in College Station, the Museum of the American G.I. hosts its annual Living History Weekend in March. Visitors can walk through historic military camps, see the collection of restored military vehicles in action, and experience the sights and sounds of the past. Other living history events include History in Motion, Remember the Fallen, Hands-on History Days and more! (See americangimuseum.org)

As part of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, visitors can step into an authentic farm of the early 1900s at the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead. Period-dressed interpreters carry out typical chores of an early German-Texan farm family. Daily chores include caring for animals—feeding, milking, gathering eggs, and slopping hogs. Inside the house, cooking, cleaning, and churning need to be done. Seasonal chores include canning and butchering. The original smokehouse, windmill and water tank complete the living history farmstead. (See tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson)

Spectators experience living history observing a gunfight from World War II at the Texas Military Department Open House and American Heroes Air Show at Camp Mabry, Austin | Courtesy Alamy

A Texas Raiders Vintage B-17 Flying Fortress WWII bomber at 2019 Wings Over Houston airshow at Ellington Field In Houston, Texas | Courtesy Alamy

Armored gunfight from World War II at the Texas Military Department Open House and American Heroes Air Show at Camp Mabry, Austin | Courtesy Alamy

Fannin Battleground living historians | Courtesy Texas Historical Commission

The Living History Program of the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in Fredericksburg, brings to life stories of World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. The Museum’s flagship living history program—“Pacific Valor”—focuses on a specific individual who was later recognized for their conduct above and beyond the call of duty. “Outpost” programs give visitors the opportunity to interact with Pacific War artifacts. During “Campaign Briefings,” visitors learn about the tactical decisions that directed the campaign and have a chance to see a battle presentation. (See pacificwarmuseum.org)

Two resources for information on living history events across the state are texastimetravel.com/blog/living-history and tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/all-events.

So go ahead and be a time-traveler—step back in time at a living history event!