Trudy Hutton, Board President

Call 830-997-2835 or visit www.pioneermuseum.net to donate.

The Gillespie County Historical Society /Pioneer Museum announces a fund raising campaign of $75,000 that, if raised by December 31, 2010, will be matched dollar for dollar by two challenge grants from the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and Kathryn Harrison. “Our Diamond Anniversary year represents an important milestone for the Gillespie County Historical Society,” said president Trudy Hutton. “In these trying financial times for non-profits across the country, we are blessed to announce these potential match grants. Every dollar we receive will be matched until our goal is met. That means every dollar donated from the community is like a two dollar donation.”

Contributions toward the match may be in the form of new memberships, membership upgrades, donations or pledges to be paid by December 2011. Donations may be made by check mailed to the Gillespie County Historical Society 312 W. San Antonio St. Fredericksburg, Tx 78624. Donations may also be made by credit card (call Vicki Beasley at GCHS at 830-997-2835) or on the website pioneermuseum.net

“We are almost half way to matching the $75,000 challenge grants. Our rich history of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County represents such a splendid tapestry of times gone by and cannot be allowed to go dormant,” said Tom Hutton, Manager of the Pioneer Museum. “We request the support of the community to help us to reach and exceed the goals of our two challenge grants,” said Tom Hutton.

The Historical Society was chartered in 1935 by a group of Fredericksburg citizens to rebuild the Vereins Kirche. The Works Project Administration in 1933 provided funding for construction of a replica of the original Vereins Kirche that had been torn down many years earlier.

Since the establishment of the Gillespie County Historical Society, the Pioneer Museum has acquired, renovated and maintained 11 buildings in addition to the Vereins Kirche, 10 of which now reside on the grounds of the Pioneer Museum. Among the buildings open for visitation are the Kammlah House (oldest house in Fredericksburg in its original location), the White Oak one-room School, the Weber Sunday House, and the Fassel Roeder House. Each of these buildings represents a different facet in Fredericksburg’s rich history.

The 75th anniversary year of the GCHS will culminate with the Tannenbaum Ball on December 4 and the Holiday Home Tour on December 11. Another event in the fall includes Log Cabin Days, October 9, featuring living history presentations along with demonstrations of rope making, the making of pioneer toys, blacksmithing, butter churning, quilting and sewing, and appearances by Chief Standing Bear and representatives of the United Indian Tribes. The public is invited to all of these events.