The Liberty County Historical Commission is implementing a new “Youth History Project” in school districts across the county. This new project is to bring local history into classrooms, primarily in seventh-grade Texas history classes. Each program is researched and designed to incorporate history specific to each community.
Included is a PowerPoint presentation with historic photographs, the “Texas History Traveling Trunk,” which includes common household items circa 1850 and a period dress review to discuss how our ancestors dressed and lived.
On Feb. 20, the Youth History team visited the classroom of Terry Berry at Tarkington Middle School and presented the program to seven classes throughout the day. Project Team Leader Emily Cook presented a wonderful PowerPoint on early settlement and education on Tarkington Prairie. LCHC County Chair Linda Jamison followed with the “Texas Traveling Trunk,” which contained authentic period items common to most households in the mid-1800s,
Students were asked to guess what each item was used for and could touch and examine each item if they wished. Beverly Davis, Commission member, followed in period dress and discussed clothing, accessories, etiquette and manners during this period of our history. The students were very engaged and asked many questions and the Commission was invited back next year!
The team will visit Cleveland ISD in May and are busy scheduling other school districts in Liberty County. If you are a history teacher in Liberty County and have not been contacted, please email: lchc318@gmail.com for more information.
The Liberty County Historical Commission meets quarterly at the A.J. “Jack” Hartel Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty. County commissions were set up by the State Legislature to act as liaisons between the county and the Texas Historical Commission to preserve, protect and promote local history. The public is invited to attend meetings and to participate in committee work which includes cemeteries, markers, special educational events and outreach in the community, endangered sites and much more.
A history class at Tarkington Middle School listens to Emily Cook as she discusses the history of the community.