George Ranch Historical Park Reopens for Fall
After a month-long closure, the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond has opened their gates for visitors once again.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city in Fort Bend County, the George Ranch Historical Park offers guests an opportunity to step back in time at this living history site to learn about what life was like in the region as far back as 200 years ago. This internationally-recognized Park sprawls across more than 20,000 acres and is home to a working ranch complete with historic homes, livestock and costumed interpreters. Over the last 35 years, Park staff and leadership have worked diligently to preserve and share Fort Bend County history with the community, earning distinguished accolades while continually seeking ways to deliver a fun and memorable learning experience to guests.
Every summer, the George Ranch Historical Park closes during the month of August for a time of much-needed rest for staff, as well as maintenance and repairs around the property before the school year starts when they welcome back students for field trips. When visitors return to the Park this month, they will find a few enhancements to the property that were competed during the scheduled closure. At the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home, additional pieces of decor were added for a refreshed look. Guests will notice that the chicken coop at the Share Croppers Cabin was taken down but not to worry. The former coop was removed to make way for a new, redesigned chicken coop and pig pen area, where chickens will be added back once complete.
The 1860s Ryon Prairie Home at George Ranch Historical Park. (Source: GRHP)True to their commitment to provide guests with an immersive and memorable experience, George Ranch Historical Park staff had the opportunity to complete continued education on class presentation skills during the closure, and even got to take a field trip to another local museum to observe their programming.
"What sets George Ranch Historical Park apart from other historical sites around the state is cowboy history. We have cowboys onsite everyday who do demos and visit with guests. No other historical property in Texas offers that kind of presentation and activity. It’s a great time to be up close to longhorns, cowboys and cattle for a unique experience," said Adrian Barker with the George Ranch Historical Park.
Throughout the year, the Park hosts many special events that tie in their unique history as one of the oldest ranches in Texas while providing wholesome experiences for guests of all ages. Every fall, the Park hosts Texian Market Days where families are invited to come experience history, nature and ranch life. This year, the event has been rebranded to the George Ranch Frontier Days Festival with upgraded programming that includes hands-on activities, battle re-enactments, live entertainment, first-person customer interpreters, historic home tours, games, cowboys, vintage vehicles, food, craft vendors and more. School field trips are invited to experience Frontier Days on Friday, October 20, and the general public is welcome on Saturday, October 21. Tickets are available for purchase now and won't last long!
Battle re-enactment at Texian Market Days - now Frontier Days Festival. (Source: GRHP, Photo Credit: Roy Kasmir)Another attraction that guests have come to love is the third annual Pumpkin Round Up. Starting October 14, a stunning display of pumpkins, gourds, and flowers of multiple types, sizes and colors will create the ultimate backdrop for fall photos. This breath-taking display is created annually by Richmond-based floral designer, Lucas Chavez, who orchestrates every detail from ordering materials to working with Park staff and volunteers to sort the pumpkins after unloading them from 18-wheelers. Barker had worked with Chavez on a project at Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land and knew he could make Pumpkin Round Up truly special.
Part of the stunning Pumpkin Round Up display at George Ranch Historical Park. (Source: GRHP)"It’s a lot of hard work. We appreciate his vision and really hard work. He’s right there beside us getting dirty and sweaty for five days to make this come to life," said Barker.
The George Ranch Historical Park is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information, visit georgeranch.org. View their exciting lineup of special events and plan your trip today!
 |
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
|
