If you happen to be in the neighborhood...
September 9, 2024 5:06 PM Subscribe
This old saloon tells the story of a small Central Texas town. The McDade Historical Society operates the museum, which was also a former Post Office, doctor’s office and drug store.
Nothing says "this is a labour of love” quite like a museum that is only open every two weeks, but if you call them, probably a volunteer will come open it for you.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:50 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 5:50 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
And the saloon had an impressive, if dangerous, clientele: Print Olive, Sam Bass, John Wesley Hardin, Wild Bill Longley and Johnny Ringo.
posted by jim in austin at 6:12 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
posted by jim in austin at 6:12 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
Pro tip: When visiting McDade, be sure to stay at Star Ranch Nudist Resort (it's very nice).
posted by ZenMasterThis at 4:56 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 4:56 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Oh, this really is central Texas, just east of Austin on highway 290. I used to drive through there all the time as a kid between Houston and Austin. Good barbeque in that part of Texas.
I volunteer at my local county historical society (very rewarding!). We have a small museum kind of like this, only open a few hours a day a few months of the year. It's almost entirely the labor of love of one person who keeps it operating and staffs it for visitors. She's got the support of an organization behind her for bigger stuff and it has a phenomenal collection of Chinese-American artifacts that a previous researcher spent years collecting and understanding. It's a special place, as small as it is, and I'm grateful to the efforts of the folks who make it possible.
posted by Nelson at 7:58 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
I volunteer at my local county historical society (very rewarding!). We have a small museum kind of like this, only open a few hours a day a few months of the year. It's almost entirely the labor of love of one person who keeps it operating and staffs it for visitors. She's got the support of an organization behind her for bigger stuff and it has a phenomenal collection of Chinese-American artifacts that a previous researcher spent years collecting and understanding. It's a special place, as small as it is, and I'm grateful to the efforts of the folks who make it possible.
posted by Nelson at 7:58 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
I love small towns with local Historical Society museums. They're absolutely great to wander around in, and the volunteers are usually wonderful. Even when they're kind of grumpy, if you get them talking, they're just fascinating people. I could definitely see me headed for a bite of BBQ after an afternoon of exploring.
ZenMasterThis, I'm not a nude-in-public person, but as I age, I often think of trying things I would have never considered before. The Star Ranch website looks like it's a very nice place with plenty of amenities. I could envision myself walking the meditation labyrinth or crossing the bridge pictured while on a hike, not so much bending over to play pool or horseshoes, I'm afraid. And fersure, I just can't see me sitting nekked in front of the fireplace socializing. Maybe I'll try it in another lifetime, as long as there aren't any mosquitos. Meanwhile, it looks like there's other things to do and other places to stay.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:54 PM on September 10
ZenMasterThis, I'm not a nude-in-public person, but as I age, I often think of trying things I would have never considered before. The Star Ranch website looks like it's a very nice place with plenty of amenities. I could envision myself walking the meditation labyrinth or crossing the bridge pictured while on a hike, not so much bending over to play pool or horseshoes, I'm afraid. And fersure, I just can't see me sitting nekked in front of the fireplace socializing. Maybe I'll try it in another lifetime, as long as there aren't any mosquitos. Meanwhile, it looks like there's other things to do and other places to stay.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:54 PM on September 10
« Older Exit, Stage Left | "you can make your own choices even if they are... Newer »
posted by Wretch729 at 5:34 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]