Blog Archives - Fort Bend Museum

Before Fingerprints: Bertillon Cards

5/27/2020

By ALLISON HARRELL
Texian Time Machine & Outreach Coordinator

We featured the Blue Ridge murder-along activity a few weeks ago that detailed the first case solved by fingerprints in Fort Bend County. But what was used to identify people before fingerprints were commonplace?

Alphonse Bertillon was a French police officer who wanted a better way to identify criminals. Soon after the rise of photography, he standardized the use of the mugshot. He also popularized a series of measurements (called "anthropometry") that could be taken to identify an individual. These measurements could include height, length of arms, trunk, cheek width, right ear length and others.

Several police forces all over the world used his system of identification for years until problems with the system couldn’t be ignored. In 1903, Kansas police found that a person they had just arrested had the exact same measurements as another person who was already in jail. This type of mistake led many police departments to search for a better way to identify and differentiate people.

Example: The Bertillon Measurements of May Walker, who was arrested for theft in New York in 1910.

Bertillon Card Activity

Materials

Measuring Tape (If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can use a piece of string or yarn and a yard stick or tape measure. Make sure that you don't stretch the yarn when using it to measure!)
Pencil
Bertillon card (DOWNLOAD HERE)

Instructions

Using the attached worksheet and a measuring tape, fill out the Bertillon card. If you have any questions about what each measurement is, refer to the diagram on the other half of the page

Prairie Rescue Card Game

5/22/2020

By ALLISON HARRELL
Texian Time Machine & Outreach Coordinator

SCENE:
You are a pioneer who has been living in Texas for a year, and a few new settlers have been staying with you for the past few days. This morning when you got back from taking care of the chickens, you found a note: “We have gone out to explore a little, and will be back by lunch time.” When no one returns by nightfall, you start to get worried. The Texas prairie is confusing at the best of times, and these people have only been in Texas for three days! You have to go into the prairie and find them. You set out early the next morning with a plan and food rations to last a few days. Explore the prairie and find all of your friends!

MATERIALS:

One standard deck of cards
1-4 people

GOAL: Find all the Aces! (The Ace cards are your friends who are lost in the prairie.)

DIRECTIONS:

Take out all of the Kings, Queens and Jacks from the deck of cards and set aside (Jokers and instruction cards should also be removed).
Shuffle the deck well
Lay out the cards into an 8x5 grid on the floor face down.

Each player should start out on one side of the grid
- You can use the Royal cards (King, Queen, and Jack) as player tokens – they can be placed on the players chosen side of the grid (North, South, East, or West)
Each player picks a location on the grid on their chosen side to start walking into the prairie. You can only move in cardinal directions (no diagonals)

The Ace cards are the people that you are looking for in the prairie. Your goal is to find all of the Aces before you run out of moves!

Each turn, each player can flip over and move one card "distance" in a continuous line from where they started.
- Any time an Ace is found, the card is taken out of the grid and kept with the Royal card being used as a player token. The Aces are the missing settlers.
- Players can only travel one card distance a turn, so if the card is flipped over, it is still a turn to get across it.
- Two players can be on the same card at the same time – if that card happens to be an Ace and both people are on it on the same turn, use one of the spare royals to give the second person the ace, too. They get credit for “finding” that person as well!
After every player has moved 10 cards spaces, the game is over. A day of searching the prairie has passed and it is time to go home and recoup.
If fewer than four players are playing, and there are more than 10 undiscovered cards left, day two can begin. Make sure to keep out any Aces that have been found.
- Reshuffle all of the cards and make a new grid of cards (it will vary in size, based on the number of cards available, so just try to make it a square, or rectangle).
- Start the game just like the first round – each player picks a side and start moving into the grid, one card at a time.
- Once all of the Aces have been found, the game is over despite however many cards might remain.
The winner is the person with the most rescued Aces!

Jane Long: The 'Mother of Texas'

5/18/2020

Jane Long's Lasting Legacy in Fort Bend County History

On a frigid Friday in December 1821, Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long gave birth to a baby girl on Bolivar Peninsula. Accompanied only by her five-year-old daughter and Kian, an enslaved African American woman, Jane believed that she was the first Anglo woman to give birth to a child in Texas. Though census data contradicts that claim, her nickname and legacy as the “Mother of Texas” stuck.

Before the 'Old 300'

Jane first came to Texas in 1819, following
her husband James who was fighting to free
Texas from Spanish rule. Just two months after she arrived, advancing Spanish troops forced the pioneers to flee for their lives; they later regrouped at Bolivar Point. James and many of the other settlers headed back into the heart of Texas in September 1821, intending to be gone only a month. However, James was captured and imprisoned. He went to Mexico City in March 1822 to plead his case, but was mysteriously shot and killed by a guard the following month.

On Her Own

Jane didn’t learn of her husband’s death until later that summer. Alone in Texas with two daughters to provide for, she initially tried to seek a pension from Mexico for her husband’s accidental death, but was unsuccessful. In 1824, she received a title to a league of land in Fort Bend County and a labor of land in Waller County from empresario Stephen F. Austin. She sold a portion of her Fort Bend County league to Robert E. Handy, who later developed the town of Richmond.

Boarding Houses

In addition to her ranching and farming endeavors, Jane also operated two boarding houses. She started the first in Brazoria in 1832; her guests included Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar and William B. Travis. In 1837, she opened a second boarding house in Richmond, which became a center for social and political activities pertaining to Texas independence.

This 1939 picture shows Jane Long's boarding house. At the time, it was the oldest building in Richmond. Sources suggest it either burned down or was torn down sometime before 1962.

Later Life

Folklore and family tradition say that Jane was courted by several famous Texans, including Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar. Jane never remarried, however, and died in December 1880. She is buried in Morton Cemetery.

ABOVE: You can see Jane Long’s piano inside the Long-Smith Cottage here at the Museum. Though she never actually lived there, the house was originally built on land owned by Jane Long.

FAQ: U.S. Geography of the Early 1800s

5/18/2020

What subjects were taught in one-room schools?
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic were the main subjects taught in one-room schools. They were called the "Three Rs" (Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic). Recitation, the act of saying a verse or paragraph aloud from memory, was sometimes added as a fourth "R." Geography could also be a featured school subject -- but science and history were not taught as we know it today.

Why was there just one book per child, not one book per subject or grade?
In the 1800s, paper was an expensive product, so books were also expensive. Pioneer parents often didn't have the kind of money available to supply a book for every topic or grade, so the all-in-one primer functioned as a solution.

Geography
Geography would have been one of the last subjects covered every day at school. The primer we use with our Texian Time Machine program has two maps on the very last page. One shows the United States in 1820 and the other shows the United States 10 years later in 1830.

How many states were in the United States in 1820?*
What about in 1830?*

What is the difference between a territory and a state?
What is the difference between an unorganized territory and an organized territory?

State – A state is a subdivision of the United States that has both population and organized government. These sections of land have constitutions and governments, and have a fair amount of autonomy to decide what will happen inside of their boundaries.
Territory – A territory is a section of land that is occupied and has an organized governing system, but is not a state of the United States. This territory is owned by the United States.
Unorganized Territory – This is a section of land that is occupied (though usually sparsely), and does not have an organized governing system. This type of land was eventually populated to a point that more formal government is adopted and it becomes a territory.
Joint Occupation – Oregon was explored in 1777 by the Spanish. Soon afterward, explorers from Britain and the U.S. followed and both countries claimed the land. In the "Treaty of 1818," a joint occupation was set up between Britain and the United States. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty was signed and the land was split evenly between the U.S. and Britain.

*Answers:

1820: 23
1830: 24

The WASPs: Paper Airplane Challenge

5/15/2020

By JESSICA AVERY
Programs Coordinator

During World War II, the United States found itself in short supply of male pilots. With most men fighting overseas, the U.S. desperately needed trained pilots for non-combat missions in America. Women throughout our country then answered the call, leading to the creation of the first female squadron. Between 1942 and 1944, more than 1,000 women volunteered their time to become Women Airforce Service Pilots – WASPs for short. The head of the WASP program was Jacqueline Cochran, a pioneering aviator who later became the first woman to break the sound barrier!

Initial training for the WASPs took place here in the Houston area and later moved to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. To apply for service, a woman had to have a civilian’s pilot license, logged 500 hours of flight time, be between 21 and 25 years old and pass an Army Air Corps physical.

The squadron’s wide variety of aviation duties included ferrying planes to airbases across the country, towing targets for air gunner training, transporting equipment and even testing newly-repaired planes before the men were allowed to fly them again. They were trained to fly every aircraft in the military’s arsenal, including the B-26 and B-29 bombers. However, even though these women were serving their country and piloting military aircraft, they were considered civilians. In June 1944, Army Air Forces Commanding General “Hap” Arnold sought to designate the WASPs as members of the United States military, but the request was denied. Following the end of the war, the WASP squadron disbanded and the women returned home to their families. In 1977, the WASPs were finally granted military status and recognition for their efforts during World War II.

Fifinella

As with all military units, the WASPs needed a mascot! Roald Dahl, who served as pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II, had heard stories of little “gremlins” who were responsible for aviation difficulties like tampering with plane engines. Dahl was inspired to create a children’s story about these mischievous gremlins -- but with a few tweaks.

In Dahl’s story, Gus Gremlin understands the world situation during World War II. Instead of tampering with aircraft, Gus urges his fellow gremlins to help the RAF by learning about plane engines to help Britain win the war. Dahl even created fairy-like female counterparts to the gremlins known as fifinellas. The name came from a very popular racehorse that “flew” around the racetrack. Dahl’s book became very popular and was eventually optioned by Disney Studios to make into an animated film. One of the WASPs, Byrd Howell Granger, was seeking a way to boost morale, and in 1942, wrote to the Disney company to ask for permission to use the name “Fifinella.” Not only did she receive permission, but Disney also sent along an illustration from pre-production that they thought would be perfect!

Paper Airplane Challenge

Now it's your turn to fly a plane! Download the paper airplane instructions here and then create your own fleet! How far can your airplanes fly?

Fort Bend County History Crossword Puzzle

5/15/2020

By JESSICA AVERY
Programs Coordinator

Test your Fort Bend County history knowledge with today's crossword puzzle! Download the clues and puzzle in PDF form by clicking here. Let us know if you solve them all!

Silhouette Portraits

5/11/2020

By SHANNON CARR
Museum Assistant

Before the invention of the camera, there were basically two options for having a portrait made of a friend or family member: you could pay for an expensive painted portrait or you could visit a local silhouette artist for a more economical option.

From 1790 to 1840, silhouettes were an extremely popular art form in America. Usually cut from black paper and placed on a white background, silhouettes typically depict a side view or profile of the subject. A skilled silhouette artist could finish the portrait within minutes, carving specialized details using only a pair of scissors.

Making silhouettes at our sister site, the George Ranch Historical Park.

The term "silhouette" is attributed to a man named Etienne de Silhouette, a finance minister living in France during the mid-18th century. One of Etienne’s favorite hobbies was to create small and detailed images for friends and family using only scissors and paper. The art form's relatively cheap cost and few required supplies only encouraged Etienne’s enthusiasm for silhouette art and portraits. (He was a finance manager, after all!)

The invention of the camera in 1816 caused a decline in popularity for silhouette portraits. However, there has recently been a resurgence of admiration for the art -- so why not try your hand at this fun and inexpensive craft?!

Make Your Own Silhouette Portraits

Etienne de Silhouette, https://bookshelf.mml.ox.ac.uk/2015/09/23/great-french-lives-etienne-de-silhouette/

Materials:

Black cardstock or construction paper
Background paper (any color or pattern)
Printer paper
Scissors
Glue
Camera
Computer & printer

Instructions:

Take a profile (side-view) picture of your subject.
Upload your picture onto the computer and crop the photo from the chest up.
Change the contrast of the photo to high black and white. This will make it easier to trace and expose fine details.
Print your edited photo and cut out your image.
Trace the image onto black cardstock, then cut it out. Glue the profile onto your background paper.

How did your portraits turn out? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram so we can see your creations!

Bathtub Blockade Running!

5/7/2020

By ALLISON HARRELL
Texian Time Machine & Outreach Coordinator

Vocabulary: Blockade

A blockade is a war tactic where one side will block all of the ports and trade posts of the other in an attempt to keep any goods from getting to the other side.

History: Galveston During the Civil War

On October 4, 1862 William B. Renshaw sailed into Galveston harbor with eight ships and demanded that the port surrender. Colonel Joseph J. Cook (the Island's Confederate commander), managed a four-day truce while he evacuated his men. By December 25, Union reinforcements had taken the town.

Then, on January 1, 1863, the Confederates entered Galveston Bay before dawn and a battle began. By the time the fighting was over, the Confederates had lost 26 men and had 117 wounded men. The Union, however, lost 150 men plus a number of captured infantry, the Harriet Lane and the Westfield. The Confederacy held Galveston for the rest of the Civil War.

History: The 'Anaconda Plan' Blockade

Union General Winfield Scott came up with the “Anaconda Plan,” which included blockading the South’s ports to strain the South’s economy. The blockade started April 19, 1861 (a few weeks after the war started). Five hundred Union ships were allocated to patrol from Virginia to Florida and from Florida to Texas. The blockade covered 3,500 miles of coast and 180 ports and was intended to stop the export of cotton and in the import of ammunition and war supplies.

Some Southerners attempted to run their ships through blockade; surprisingly, about 80% were successful and made it through!

Ready to give it a try? Set up a blockade in your bathtub and see if your ships can make it through the Union blockade!

Activity: Bathtub Blockade!

Materials needed:

Copy paper (one sheet per child)
Crayons (markers will bleed into the water)
A clear tub, backyard pool or bathtub with a tape line on the bottom (it's best if you can access all sides of the tub)
Water
Boat directions (DOWNLOAD HERE)
Ping pong balls or anything lightweight (like a handful of Legos!)
20 marbles or anything heavier that won't break or shatter (like rocks or almonds)
Straws (one per person per boat)
Scratch paper
Paper towels

Directions:

Have each child make a boat using these instructions.
Designate an adult to be the "Union" troops and have them stand toward the end of the tub with the marbles.
Give each child four ping pong balls and a drinking straw. Taking turns two at a time, have the children stand at the end of the tub, place their boats in the water and use the straws to blow them along.
When the kids' boats reach the Union "tape line," the adult can drop marbles to try and sink the boat or dislodge the ping pong balls.
Once the boats reach the opposite edge of the tub, the run has ended! Tally how many ping pong balls made it to the end. The person with the most balls left wins!

It's Berry Season! Two Moore Family Recipes You Can Try at Home

5/7/2020

As we near the end of dewberry season, it is almost time for blackberry season! If you a drowning in berries, here are two recipes from the Moore family that you can try: Dewberry Cobbler and Dewberry Ice Cream. Blackberries can easily be substituted for dewberries in these recipes. Enjoy! (And let us know if you try the recipes! Tag us on Facebook or Instagram with your berry dish!)

Dewberry Cobbler

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In an 9x13 glass baking dish, add 2 tbls. butter, put dish in oven and melt butter.

In a saucepan, heat 1 quart ripe berries, 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2T butter. Then add 2T flour to thicken. Simmer on low heat until desired thickness. Stir often to avoid scorching.

In a large bowl, sift together 1 cup flour and 2 tsp baking powder. Add 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup milk. Mix well and pour into 9x13 baking dish with melted butter. Pour the berry filling over the entire surface. Do NOT stir.

Bake at 350 about 30 minutes until the crust on top is golden brown.

This is great with a dip of vanilla ice cream of top.

Dewberry Ice Cream

2 pints fresh dewberries
Juice of ½ a lemon
¼ c. sugar
1 ½ cups half and half
1 c. sugar
5 large egg yolks
1 ½ cups heavy cream

In a saucepan, mix berries, ¼ c. sugar and lemon juice. Cook covered over low heat for 20 to 25 min. Drain using fine mesh strainer, pressing berries to get as much juice as possible. Set aside.

Heat half and half and 1 c. sugar in a separate pan over low heat. Turn off when mixture is totally heated. Add cream to a separate bowl. Beat egg yolks until they are pale yellow and slightly thick. Slowly drizzle yolk mixture into ½ and ½ mixture.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, ‘til very thick. Pour into bowl with cream. Stir to combine. Add dewberry juice to custard mixture. Chill completely then freeze in an ice cream maker until thick.

Secret Decoder Bracelet: Uncommon Texas Signs & Symbols

5/5/2020

By ALLISON HARRELL
Texian Time Machine & Outreach Coordinator

Do you know our state fish? How about our state shell? Make a secret decoder bracelet and see if you can crack the codes to learn uncommon Texas signs and symbols!