Happy Holidays!

The Museum will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Wednesday, December 23, through Monday, December 28.

We will open with our regular hours (10 am to 6 pm) on Tuesday, December 29, but please note that we will be closed on Friday, January 1, for New Year's Day.

Book Signing

Tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, I'll be signing copies of our new book, Williamson County, published by Arcadia Publishing.

If you haven't picked up your copy yet, here's your chance:
Hastings Books
2200 I H 35 S
Round Rock, TX 78681-8001
(512) 244-2223



We also sell copies of the book in the Museum's gift shop. You can always stop by the Museum to purchase your copy, too!

Busy Times

I always used to think that our quiet time was October through January-- those few months after Up the Chisholm Trail. But, this year it's very different. And, really, this month is very busy with events, regular business, and the holidays.

Here's a run down of the next couple of weeks.

Wednesday, December 2:
I'll be in an all-day workshop. Plus, we're having our Volunteer Christmas Party. It'll be held at the Georgetown Winery. (I've made yummy artichoke-olive tapenade to put on crostini.)

Thursday, December 3:
For me, I'll be in the second day of my all-day workshop. Mickie has a trunk show at a local school and then a scout tour in the evening.

Friday, December 4:
It's First Friday! That means we'll be open until 8:00 pm (ish). This First Friday, the Sun City Dulcimers are playing in the gallery. In addition, the new Williamson County book is out, and Chris and I will be doing our first book signing.

Saturday, December 5:
Ho, ho, ho...It's the Christmas Stroll! Staff will get here early in order to prepare for our Members' Only party, which will be held at the Courthouse. We'll have brunch goodies (including mimosas), and attendees can watch the Christmas Stroll parade from the balcony. The Museum will open as soon as the party and parade are done. We'll be open late into the evening, since there will be exciting things happening around the square. Make sure to stop by the Museum for some hot cider.

Wednesday, December 9:
Join us at Wildfire for December's Salon. This month, we'll hear from Dr. Bonnie Stump who is going to discuss rainwater harvesting in central Texas.

Thursday, December 10:
Mickie's got Tippet Middle School (7th graders) coming for a field trip. There's a BIG group of students, so we'll be giving them the works!

Friday, December 11:
Mickie's going to Brushy Creek school for a trunk show.

Saturday, December 12:
If you missed your chance to purchase your signed copy of Williamson County at the Museum's First Friday, stop by the Round Rock Hastings between 12:30 and 3:30 pm. I'll be there!

Local History

Robyn from the City of Georgetown found some interesting City Ordinances from the early 1900s, which she was kind enough to share with me. I thought I'd share one of my favorites with you.

An Ordinance Prohibiting the Running at Large of a Chicken, Chickens or Other Fowls in the Corporate Limits of the City of Georgetown, Texas, and Prescribing Penalties.

Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas:

That it shall be unlawful for the owner of person in charge or control of any chicken, chickens or other fowls to permit any chicken, chickens or other fowls to run at large within the corporate limits of this City, and any person violating this ordinance shall be fined in any sum not less than One and not more than Twenty-five Dollars, and each and every day that such chicken, chickens or other fowls shall run at large in said City shall constitute and be a distinct and separate offense.

Passed and approved this 10th, day of March, 1919.

R.E. Ward, Mayor of the City of Georgetown, Texas

Attest: Geo. Keahey, Secretary.

First Friday, November 6

Scary!

I spent all day yesterday transferring all of my software, documents, etc. from my old computer to my Brand New One. The old computer predates the start of my employment at the Museum. It ran great...until a couple of months ago. All of the sudden, it started moving slowly. Sometimes it would take up to 10 minutes to open a Word document or a Photoshop file. Then, to print? For get about it.

I ordered a new computer in early October. It was delivered last week, but with two days of archaeology events, I didn't have time to install everything until yesterday. I was mainly worried about transferring information from our collections/membership database, called PastPerfect. My computer works as the network from which all the other staff members access the program and information. I had to backup all the information, install all the new software, restore the backed up information, make the files to PastPerfect networked (or "share" them) with the other computers, THEN reconnect everyone else's computers to PastPerfect. There's a couple of little glitches, but all in all, it was well worth the way. This Brand New Computer is super-fast. I love it!

Speaking of scary...Make sure you join us tomorrow night for Walking Ghost Tours of the Downtown Courthouse Square. Tickets are $10 each, and tours are at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30.

Before, After, and Up Next

A couple of weeks ago, Round Rock Public Library asked if we'd like to put together a temporary exhibit for them. I drove over to check out the space. Here's what the empty case looked like.




It took us about a week and a half, but we came up with a nice little exhibit about the museum-- what we collect, what we exhibit, and examples of interesting artifacts and photographs from the permanent collection. Here's what the finished exhibit looks like.



Don't forget: ARCHEOLOGY DAY is this Saturday, October 24, at Berry Springs Park and Preserve. Visit our website for more information and a map to the park. (Or see the flier from my earlier blog post below.)

Hope to see you soon!