Natural History and Other Topics

One afternoon during the swim meet we went to the Brazos County Natural History Museum with Eric. Denver has a huge natural history museum and Eric is a middle school science teacher so it sounded like a good outing. (Each afternoon Kylie and the other swimmers rest and nap so their families have time to explore the area.) The museum was interesting but it wasn't focused just on natural history. There was a temporary exhibit of shells that had beautiful displays. You can click on any photo to enlarge it.















This mural covers one wall in the museum. It shows 50 plus species that once lived in Texas more than 12,500 years ago at the end of the last glacial period.

We also saw fossil skeletons of two ancient fish.

There were a number of mounted animal heads and a stuffed lion, bear and beaver. Eric and I posed beneath the head of an ibex (I think).

Looking at other subjects, we saw this chuck wagon

Santa Anna's silver which was captured at the Battle of San Jacinto in Texas' war for independence from Mexico

and an unusual vault from an early bank in College Station.

John was caught by a gorilla in the children's classroom at the museum.

The museum was all over the place but it was a good way to spend the afternoon. But first we sampled some of the local barbeque.

History in Ceramics

This is our third summer volunteering at Lathrop State Park. We thought it was about time we drive to nearby Trinidad and check out the Ceramic Mural at Mount San Rafael Hospital. It was designed by Sister Augusta Zimmer, S.C., a native of nearby Lamar, CO, and for 33 years a member of the faculty of the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, most of the time as chairperson of the art department. Although she often worked in glass for her mosaics, this one she designed in ceramics to better reflect the natural colors of the area.

Dedicated in 1980, it measures 28 ft by 12 ft and depicts of history of the Trinidad area. As you can see from this photo, the trip was well worth our time.



In this section, you can see a stage coach that brought travelers here on the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, some of the early nuns who operated the hospital from 1889 to 1968, and the railroad that helped local coal mining grow.



This depicts the Bloom Mansion, first owned by Frank Bloom, who built the commercial aspect of coal mining to a thriving and growing business. That house is now operated as a museum by the Colorado Historical Society. John and I helped pack away the contents of the house as society volunteers several years ago. The building was in need of some serious repair at the time.



Not far from Trinidad is the Ludlow Monument, dedicated in 1918 in remembrance of the "Ludlow Massacre" in April 1914 when 10 men, women and children were slain by militia troops during bitter labor strife in the local coal mining industry. That monument is shown in this section of the mural.



It is often amazing the fine works of art and fascinating museums you find in small towns around the country. We are so glad we took time to check out this mural.