From prehistoric times to 1951, the Colorado River plunged over the falls at this location on its romp to the Gulf of Mexico. The falls, just upriver from the present Hwy 281 bridge, were covered by the waters of Lake Marble Falls after Max Starcke Dam was built.
Texas Native Plants at the Museum
9am Saturday, April 7
The Museum is teaming with the Highland Lakes chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for a program on the native plants of our area. There will be photo exhibits on the various plant species that grow here and live specimens to be seen in the Museum garden.
The Native Plant Society will be putting on its annual plant sale, so visitors can take home native plants for their own gardens. There should be dozens of species to choose from and member will be there to answer questions and give advice.
At 10:30, Marvin Bloomquist will give a talk on Central Texas Wildflowers and the best way to photograph them. He is a Master Naturalist and Member of the Native Plant Society.
Although educated as an electrical engineer (UT Austin). I’ve always been interested in nature going back to camping and
fishing with my dad and spending weekends exploring my grand parents farm east of Austin. When we retired to the Hill
Country in 2000 it gave me a chance to rekindle that interest. My wife and I joined the Native Plant Society to learn more
about the plants in our area. Not long after that we became charter members of the local chapter of Texas Master Naturalists.
I’ve since been president of both organizations. Shortly after we moved to the ranch I began using a digital camera to
photograph flowers as a means of helping me learn them. I’ve since photographed and cataloged over 200 flowering plants
on our ranch. The camera is indeed a great learning tool. I’ve given numerous talks and classes on the digital camera as a tool
for flower identification.
Beautiful wildflower photos will be exhibited in the Madolyn Frasier Room . Many of these photos were donated by Ofelia Johnson. She also has made wildflower picture notecards for the Museum to sell to help with operations.
Other photos are from the collection of Sheryl Yantis of Yantis Lakeside Gardens.
As always, there is no admission fee to the Museum, but donations are accepted and appreciated.
The Museum is teaming with the Highland Lakes chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for a program on the native plants of our area. There will be photo exhibits on the various plant species that grow here and live specimens to be seen in the Museum garden.
The Native Plant Society will be putting on its annual plant sale, so visitors can take home native plants for their own gardens. There should be dozens of species to choose from and member will be there to answer questions and give advice.
At 10:30, Marvin Bloomquist will give a talk on Central Texas Wildflowers and the best way to photograph them. He is a Master Naturalist and Member of the Native Plant Society.
Although educated as an electrical engineer (UT Austin). I’ve always been interested in nature going back to camping and
fishing with my dad and spending weekends exploring my grand parents farm east of Austin. When we retired to the Hill
Country in 2000 it gave me a chance to rekindle that interest. My wife and I joined the Native Plant Society to learn more
about the plants in our area. Not long after that we became charter members of the local chapter of Texas Master Naturalists.
I’ve since been president of both organizations. Shortly after we moved to the ranch I began using a digital camera to
photograph flowers as a means of helping me learn them. I’ve since photographed and cataloged over 200 flowering plants
on our ranch. The camera is indeed a great learning tool. I’ve given numerous talks and classes on the digital camera as a tool
for flower identification.
Beautiful wildflower photos will be exhibited in the Madolyn Frasier Room . Many of these photos were donated by Ofelia Johnson. She also has made wildflower picture notecards for the Museum to sell to help with operations.
Other photos are from the collection of Sheryl Yantis of Yantis Lakeside Gardens.
As always, there is no admission fee to the Museum, but donations are accepted and appreciated.
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Granite Shoals and Cottonwood Shores
We have just opened 'mini' displays on the nearby communities of Granite Shoals and Cottonwood Shores with articles and photos that recount their history. The exhibits will be open until the end of February.
Granite Shoals Displays
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Cottonwood Shores Displays
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Museum Opens New Reading Room
As part of our ongoing renovation, we have set up a reading room in the back of the Museum, furnished with comfortable chairs and a buffet of reading material. It provides a place to sit and read or to have casual conversations about our history.
This facility is made possible by a donation by Museum Director Charles Watkins out of money from his mother's estate.
Patricia Martin Watkins was born July 17, 1923 in Stratford, TX, daughter of Hazel Brown Martin and Clyde Martin. She and her brother Bill were raised by their mother during the hard times of the Great Depression. Patricia attended TWU and earned a BA in Dietary Science, going on to work as dietician in Galveston, where she met her husband, Charles Edward Watkins. They married on December 28, 1947. Since her husband was in the oil business, they lived all over Texas before settling in Corpus Christi to raise their two sons Charles and Chris. Later they moved to San Antonio when Charles became a vice-president of Valero. After her husband passed away, she moved to Marble Falls to be nearer to her son, Charles.
Patricia lived happily at the Claremont and could be seen driving around town in her red Mustang convertible. Her hobbies included gardening, playing bridge, and reading. A piece of her artwork can be seen on the shelf above the door and her portrait is on the wall on the right.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed books on history, especially ones on Abraham Lincoln and his family. Her son Charles recalls her reading to him every night before bed and he remembers her with these words: "She was my mother, my companion, my inspiration -- the light of my life."
The Patricia Watkins reading room is open during Museum hours. It seats eleven and can be reserved for community functions.
This facility is made possible by a donation by Museum Director Charles Watkins out of money from his mother's estate.
Patricia Martin Watkins was born July 17, 1923 in Stratford, TX, daughter of Hazel Brown Martin and Clyde Martin. She and her brother Bill were raised by their mother during the hard times of the Great Depression. Patricia attended TWU and earned a BA in Dietary Science, going on to work as dietician in Galveston, where she met her husband, Charles Edward Watkins. They married on December 28, 1947. Since her husband was in the oil business, they lived all over Texas before settling in Corpus Christi to raise their two sons Charles and Chris. Later they moved to San Antonio when Charles became a vice-president of Valero. After her husband passed away, she moved to Marble Falls to be nearer to her son, Charles.
Patricia lived happily at the Claremont and could be seen driving around town in her red Mustang convertible. Her hobbies included gardening, playing bridge, and reading. A piece of her artwork can be seen on the shelf above the door and her portrait is on the wall on the right.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed books on history, especially ones on Abraham Lincoln and his family. Her son Charles recalls her reading to him every night before bed and he remembers her with these words: "She was my mother, my companion, my inspiration -- the light of my life."
The Patricia Watkins reading room is open during Museum hours. It seats eleven and can be reserved for community functions.
Veterans Day at the Museum
The Museum joins with the Rotarians for the annual Veterans Day program, beginning at 10am on November 11 at the Museum. Come join us!
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2017 VETERANS’ DAY PROGRAM
10:00 RINGING OF THE BELL & CALL TO ORDER JIM GALLAGHER, SGT. AT ARMS MARBLE FALLS ROTARY CLUB “GOD BLESS AMERICA”: BLUEBONNET CHORALE WELCOME TERRY STRACKE, CO-CHAIR COMMUNITY SERVICE MARBLE FALLS ROTARY CLUB INVOCATION GEORGE PERRY, US ARMY VETERAN PASTOR, ST. FREDERICK BAPTIST CHURCH POST THE COLORS MARBLE FALLS FIRE AND RESCUE MEMBERS NATIONAL ANTHEM: BLUEBONNET CHORALE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY TERRY STRACKE, ROTARIAN CHORAL PRESENTATION The Patriotic Salute (Yankee Doodle Dandy, Grand ol’ Flag, Stars & Stripes) Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Thank You, Soldiers We Honor You Let Freedom Ring BLUEBONNET CHORALE RECITATION OF STAFF SGT. RECKLESS BIOGRAPHY TOMMY CRANE, US ARMY VETERAN MARBLE FALLS FIRE MARSHAL/ASST. CHIEF CLOSING STATEMENT & THE LORD’S PRAYER DARLENE OOSTERMEYER CHAIRMAN, THE FALLS ON THE COLORADO MUSEUM “AMAZING GRACE”: BLUEBONNET CHORALE TAPS IAIN CORLEY MARBLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL BAND RECEPTION & VETERANS EXHIBIT THE FALLS ON THE COLORADO MUSEUM |
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Rockie Arrives !
Hundreds of years ago a vast herd of American Bison roamed across Central Texas, leaving their remains in the mud along our rivers and creeks. Some time before Columbus, one of these proud beasts came to its end on Rocky Creek in northwest Burnet County and lay there until 2013, when it was uncovered by a local rancher. We now call her 'Rockie'.
On June 17, the museum revealed a 700 year old American Bison skull as part of the Native American exhibit. The skull was found by Ryan Murphy at Cloudhollow Ranch on Rocky Creek in Burnet County, so it was nicknamed "Rockie".
ROCKIE EXHIBIT OPENS
The museum hosted Ryan Murray at the opening reception for the Rockie Exhibit. The museum meeting room was packed with Murray's friends and bison lovers of all ages. Murray was introduced by the museum's resident archeologist and Board member Tom Hester, shown here installing the skull in its new display case. The case was custom made by our master carpenter Ken McBride, who also built the Mormon Mill exhibit.
Murray showed photos from the dig and told about how he came across the skull one day in 2013. He shared his excitement as it dawned on him what he had discovered and began drawing attention from interested archeologists. Photos showed the progress of the excavation and the collection of bones found along with the skull. These can be seen at Ryan's website.
The Falls on the Colorado Museum is open 10am-4pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls, Tx 78654. Phone 830 798 2157. Admission is free.
The museum hosted Ryan Murray at the opening reception for the Rockie Exhibit. The museum meeting room was packed with Murray's friends and bison lovers of all ages. Murray was introduced by the museum's resident archeologist and Board member Tom Hester, shown here installing the skull in its new display case. The case was custom made by our master carpenter Ken McBride, who also built the Mormon Mill exhibit.
Murray showed photos from the dig and told about how he came across the skull one day in 2013. He shared his excitement as it dawned on him what he had discovered and began drawing attention from interested archeologists. Photos showed the progress of the excavation and the collection of bones found along with the skull. These can be seen at Ryan's website.
The Falls on the Colorado Museum is open 10am-4pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls, Tx 78654. Phone 830 798 2157. Admission is free.
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MEET ROCKIE
Scientific Name: Bison Bovinae (American Bison) Gender: Female Age: approx 700 years (1300-1400 AD) Weight: 1300-1800 pounds Range: South Plains to Edwards Plateau Cause of Death: Unknown Discoverer: Ryan Murray, late summer 2013 Location: Rocky Creek, Burnet County, TX |
BISON LINKS
Bison Skeleton Excavation: Cloud Hollow Website, May 4, 2014
700-year-old bison on display in Burnet County museum: Austin American-Stateman, Sept 4, 2017
Rockie the bison coming to the Falls Museum Saturday: Highlander, June 15, 2017
Help Marble Falls Museum Put 700-Year-Old Bison Back Together Again: Picayune, July 27, 2017
Ancient Bison Skull Dug Up in Briggs on Display at Falls on the Colorado: Picayune, June 15. 2017
Bison skeleton in Burnet County up to 700 years old: Austin American-Statesman, Nov 5, 2015
Burnet County bison skeleton might reveal ancient history: Picayune, May 20, 2014
Burnet skeleton excavation in Burnet County [photos]: Austin American-Statesman, May 11, 2014
Hill Country bison skeleton raises questions: Washington Times, May 19, 2014
Is bison skeleton from Burnet County simply old or prehistoric: Austin American-Statesman, May 10, 2014
A start date for the bison invasion of North America: New York Times, Mar 13, 2017
All About Bison
700-year-old bison on display in Burnet County museum: Austin American-Stateman, Sept 4, 2017
Rockie the bison coming to the Falls Museum Saturday: Highlander, June 15, 2017
Help Marble Falls Museum Put 700-Year-Old Bison Back Together Again: Picayune, July 27, 2017
Ancient Bison Skull Dug Up in Briggs on Display at Falls on the Colorado: Picayune, June 15. 2017
Bison skeleton in Burnet County up to 700 years old: Austin American-Statesman, Nov 5, 2015
Burnet County bison skeleton might reveal ancient history: Picayune, May 20, 2014
Burnet skeleton excavation in Burnet County [photos]: Austin American-Statesman, May 11, 2014
Hill Country bison skeleton raises questions: Washington Times, May 19, 2014
Is bison skeleton from Burnet County simply old or prehistoric: Austin American-Statesman, May 10, 2014
A start date for the bison invasion of North America: New York Times, Mar 13, 2017
All About Bison
THERE'S LOTS MORE TO ROCKIE
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In addition to Rockie's skull, which you can see today, most of the rest of her skeleton was recovered and is in storage. Archeologists are interested in seeing the entire animal reconstructed and put on display, so the Museum has launched a fundraising effort with an initial target goal of $12,000 for the professional work and display case. Everyone in Marble Falls and the surrounding area can get involved.
Our biggest contributions are $3000 each from the Marble Falls EDC Community Leverage Fund and the Burnet County HOT Committee. Wow! And we are also most grateful for the generosity of Susan Boone, Dr. & Mrs. Dan McBride, Judy & David Wayland, Matthew & Mary Heerwald, Ross & Alice Johnson, Beverly Clement, Dr. Malcolm Birdsong, and the Double O Family Trust.
We are pursuing several grant opportunities, including funds from Marble Falls HOT.
Our biggest contributions are $3000 each from the Marble Falls EDC Community Leverage Fund and the Burnet County HOT Committee. Wow! And we are also most grateful for the generosity of Susan Boone, Dr. & Mrs. Dan McBride, Judy & David Wayland, Matthew & Mary Heerwald, Ross & Alice Johnson, Beverly Clement, Dr. Malcolm Birdsong, and the Double O Family Trust.
We are pursuing several grant opportunities, including funds from Marble Falls HOT.
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Provided by CoolFundraisingIdeas.net |
GIVING LEVELS FOR THE ROCKIE RESTORATION
$ 5001 and up!! IN HER HEYDAY! $3001 - $5000 ROCKIE AND ROLLIN’! $ 1501 - $ 3000 SOUTH PLAINS GIVER! $ 1001 - $ 1500 CRUISIN’ THE PLATEAU! $ 751 - $ 1000 CHASIN’ THE GRASS! $ 501 - $ 750 ONE OF THE HERD! $ 1 - $ 500 BONE BY BONE! |
ROCKIE'S STORY
On closer examination, one of Rockie's bones appears to show signs of having been cut or scraped. This may tell us more about how she died and what became of her flesh and skin. According to the archeologists studying her bones, it does not appear that she was hunted down but that at some point after she died, she was skinned. It is possible that by the time her body was discovered, the meat had decayed or was spoiled by predators, but her skin was still a valuable find.
Museum Makeover
You've got to come see how the Museum looks now! Over the past few months, the first floor has been completely rearranged. We've pulled our antique display cases out into the center hall and stocked them with all kinds of historical artifacts, many on display for the first time.
Exhibit Halls
The hall itself is lined with new exhibits and leads to three more updated exhibit halls. In the Featured Exhibit hall there is a splendid new display of Native American arrowheads and artifacts from Dr. Tom Hester, a 2016 addition to the Board. For an overview of all our displays, please see the EXHIBITS page.
Main Hall
In the main hall, there's new paint, restored flooring, hanging boards, and banners. We're grateful to the Rotary Club for help with the painting and to David Baltz and Tom Geiling for the great job on the floors. By the way, the new floor outside the Women's room is made from the flooring of the old MFHS basketball court.
The new hanging system solves some of the problems of drilling into the daunting mass of granite and stucco that forms the museum's walls. It lets us show more of our collection of historical art and scenes from Marble Falls' past. The hanging banners make the hallway seem larger and show where the exhibits are.
Front Entry
At the front entry, the most noticeable change is the steep front steps have been replaced by a spacious entry porch. Now we have a wheelchair ramp with a railing and room to turn into the front door. The old granite steps were reused so as to preserve the original street facade.
The new front porch has a recessed area for an array of sixty 12-inch memorial squares. The memorials are made of Sunset Red granite slabs and engraved with names of honorees.
Native Plants
In the front yard, we still have the native plant gardens and Monarch waystation, thanks to the volunteers in the Native Plant Society.
New Sign
It's been there since December, but to some our massive new granite sign facing the city may come as a something new. The slab of Sunset Red granite was harvested from a local scrap pile, transported, engraved, and mounted outside the Museum. There is a new flagpole next to it, courtesy of MFISD.
Mormon Mill Exhibit
Inside the front door, visitors will notice that the welcome desk has been moved to the other side, next to the souvenir stand and water fountain. This has made way for a new addition, an extraordinary new exhibit on Mormon Mill.
The frame was assembled by Ken McBride using antique planks and traditional mortise and tenon techniques. A genuine, operational mill stone has been mounted on the frame and the shelves are lined with historic photos and artifacts from the Mormon settlement of Texas. Both the exhibit and the front entry improvements were made possible by generous donations from members of the Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Marble Falls and Cedar Park Stakes.
Open 10am-4pm Thursday - Friday - Saturday
2001 Broadway Street
PO Box 1333
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
Phone: 830-798-2157
Email: focmuseum@gmail.com
Exhibit Halls
The hall itself is lined with new exhibits and leads to three more updated exhibit halls. In the Featured Exhibit hall there is a splendid new display of Native American arrowheads and artifacts from Dr. Tom Hester, a 2016 addition to the Board. For an overview of all our displays, please see the EXHIBITS page.
Main Hall
In the main hall, there's new paint, restored flooring, hanging boards, and banners. We're grateful to the Rotary Club for help with the painting and to David Baltz and Tom Geiling for the great job on the floors. By the way, the new floor outside the Women's room is made from the flooring of the old MFHS basketball court.
The new hanging system solves some of the problems of drilling into the daunting mass of granite and stucco that forms the museum's walls. It lets us show more of our collection of historical art and scenes from Marble Falls' past. The hanging banners make the hallway seem larger and show where the exhibits are.
Front Entry
At the front entry, the most noticeable change is the steep front steps have been replaced by a spacious entry porch. Now we have a wheelchair ramp with a railing and room to turn into the front door. The old granite steps were reused so as to preserve the original street facade.
The new front porch has a recessed area for an array of sixty 12-inch memorial squares. The memorials are made of Sunset Red granite slabs and engraved with names of honorees.
Native Plants
In the front yard, we still have the native plant gardens and Monarch waystation, thanks to the volunteers in the Native Plant Society.
New Sign
It's been there since December, but to some our massive new granite sign facing the city may come as a something new. The slab of Sunset Red granite was harvested from a local scrap pile, transported, engraved, and mounted outside the Museum. There is a new flagpole next to it, courtesy of MFISD.
Mormon Mill Exhibit
Inside the front door, visitors will notice that the welcome desk has been moved to the other side, next to the souvenir stand and water fountain. This has made way for a new addition, an extraordinary new exhibit on Mormon Mill.
The frame was assembled by Ken McBride using antique planks and traditional mortise and tenon techniques. A genuine, operational mill stone has been mounted on the frame and the shelves are lined with historic photos and artifacts from the Mormon settlement of Texas. Both the exhibit and the front entry improvements were made possible by generous donations from members of the Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Marble Falls and Cedar Park Stakes.
Open 10am-4pm Thursday - Friday - Saturday
2001 Broadway Street
PO Box 1333
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
Phone: 830-798-2157
Email: focmuseum@gmail.com
