March 16, 2023

Source: Portal to Texas History.

Paradise Is a Garden in the Spring

Part of the thrill of Texas wildflowers in the spring is their defiant nature, appearing inexplicably on dusty highway medians or in patches at the bottom of grassy ditches, a seeming impossibility in such hostile territory. Their very wildness compels us, whereas the fussy landscapes of botanical gardens are unsettlingly perfect and indicate far too much effort. 

But the history of botanical gardens tells us that perfection is kind of the point…

Plein Air Artists Capture Texas in Full Color

The best way to enjoy Texas wildflowers in the spring is to plant yourself among them with a set of watercolors or oils. We dive into the history of plein air painting so you can take some of this history with you the next time you head outdoors.  Looking for a plein air group to join? We share some of those, too!

Pictured: An artists' camp on the South Concho River near Christoval, Texas. San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, courtesy of En Plein Air Texas. 

Best Kept Secret: Cemetery Wildflowers

Source: Paul Randall, Wikimedia Commons.

Cemeteries were once ecologically dynamic spaces, cultivated as wilderness destinations for the public before public parks became the norm in the U.S. Today, the practice of scattering wildflower seed in historic cemeteries is part of a movement to reduce the cost of lawn maintenance and restore the biodiversity to these once rich landscapes.

Upcoming Events

Walt Speyer Outside Sod House, 1903. Portal to Texas History.

Pioneer Dugouts, Locomotive Rides, and a Vintage Cruise on the Bay...

Find out how late 19th-century settlers in the Texas Panhandle used dugouts to survive the elements. Join the ladies for afternoon tea at Fort Concho. Take a half-day excursion in the passenger car of a 1920s diesel locomotive. Tour a collection of early Texas homes, including an 1820s cabin and an 1830s dogtrot log house. Sail the bay aboard the Skimmer as you learn about the historic settlement of Copano Bay. Hunt the Port Isabel Lighthouse grounds for over 20,000 Easter eggs.