The rustic log house was once an important part of Texas culture—the place where many a pioneer family found their home and raised the young’uns. But the 19th century has long since come and gone, and unless they are intentionally preserved, historic homes often fall into disrepair or are torn down. In the 1950s the Pioneer Texas Heritage Committee decided it was time to do something about that, and created what is now the Log Cabin Village.
The village is a living history museum—a collection of nine log buildings, many of them pioneer homes, constructed during the 1800s. Admission is remarkably inexpensive—just $5 for adults, $4.50 for kids and teens and free entry for those three years old and younger. Though surrounded by suburbia, Log Cabin Village is in a serene wooded area that really feels like a trip back in time to the mid-19th century. Costumed staff members and volunteers add to the authentic setting, answering questions and leading both tours and hands-on activities.
Though all constructed of rough logs, the historic buildings in the village are remarkably diverse. The Foster Home is actually a plantation house—one of the largest log buildings from the era still in existence. Five smaller cabins were once the homesteads of frontier families, and each are accompanied by plaques detailing their history. The Shaw family’s cabin and gristmill (one of only a few working gristmills in the state) and the Reynolds smokehouse further demonstrate period culture, as does the one-room Marine School. Only the blacksmith shop is a replica, built to demonstrate the craft of the 19th-century smithy.
Fun and educational activities take place every day—your kids can learn woodworking skills or make candles and cornhusk dolls as they learn about Texas history. Most of the cabins operate on the look-but-don’t-touch principle, but the Seela family cabin is fully hands-on, allowing your children to experience frontier life first-hand. If you’re an educator bringing your class to Log Cabin Village, or are visiting with several friends, you can do one of the group tours or events. “Meet the Pioneers” is a standard guided tour, with extensive talks given by village volunteers. In “Pioneer School,” however, you get to dress up in period costume and experience a day of 19th-century education. “Wagons West” is a program sort of half-way between the other two, allowing you to get a taste of every aspect of pioneer life in both the Seela cabin and the Marine School. Free events take place all year, as well—there’s always something new to learn.
The village can be found at 2100 Log Cabin Village Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
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