Paris, Texas –– The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site will celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a special program, “America250 with Time-Traveling Quills”, offered March 10 through 13 at 2:00 p.m., coinciding with Paris ISD’s Spring Break. During this interactive program, children will craft their own quill pens before using ink and parchment to write or draw as early Americans once did. Creative prompts such as “Write a message to a child 250 years in the future” will encourage participants to reflect on the nation’s past while imagining its future. Participants will also learn about the history of quill pens, how they were made and used, and why they eventually declined in popularity.
“Quills are the quintessential writing utensil of history,” said Elana Barton, site educator at the Maxey House. “They were used to sign documents from the Magna Carta to the Declaration of Independence. This program gives children a creative, hands-on way to connect with that history as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.”
“America250 with Time-Traveling Quills” is one of several programs the Maxey House is offering this year in observance of the United States Semiquincentennial. Additional America250-themed events include “Red, White, and Crafty!” in July, as well as special patriotic components incorporated into the site’s annual Easter Egg Scramble in April and Homeschool Day in May. In partnership with the Paris Public Library, the site will also host the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Texas America250 traveling exhibit from mid-May through early August. The exhibit will be displayed in the Visitors Center and is free to view.
Historic sites operated by the Texas Historical Commission are hosting commemorative programs across the state in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. A full list of events can be found at www.thc.texas.gov.
“America250 with Time-Traveling Quills” is $5 per person. The program is offered in four identical sessions throughout the week, allowing families to choose the day that works best for them. Registration is required and space is very limited. To register for the event and for more information on this and upcoming events at the Maxey House, please visit the site’s website at www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitsambellmaxeyhouse.
The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, was built in 1868 in the High Victorian Italianate-style as the home of Samuel Bell Maxey and his wife Marilda. Maxey served in the U.S.-Mexico War, was a Confederate general and two-term U.S. Senator. Members of the Maxey family lived in the house until 1966 and the restored house reflects almost 100 years of their continuous use. For more information visit visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com.
