PRESS OFFICE

Third Annual Tombstone Tour has special Sesquicentennial twist

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 21 beginning at 1 p.m.

 Lovers of history, graveyards and great stories should mark their calendars now for the third annual Tombstone Tour at City Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford.  The event, sponsored by the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee, will have a special twist this year, as the storytellers will be descendants of those they are talking about.  Held at the Old City Greenwood Cemetery, 300 Front Street, the tour gives “a living glimpse into Weatherford’s past,” said Jonelle Bartoli, tour organizer.  The tour is Saturday, October 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. with groups beginning every 15 minutes.  The trip back into time lasts about an hour and 15 minutes and is not recommended for children under five.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-9 years old.  Local historian and Aledo resident Homer Norris will also be on hand to display some of the artifacts he has found in this area and answer questions.

On tour this year are D.O. Norton, a surveyor, lawyer, judge, postmaster and newspaper owner.  Norton surveyed the 320-acre parcel that began the town of Weatherford.  Also spotlighted are Rev. Henry Bantau, minister and college professor and first president of Add-Ran College which became TCU.  Also included in this year’s tour are Marcus and Lucinda Dalton.  Marcus Dalton was killed by 30 Indians, but that’s not the end of his story.  It continues with his widow who used the $11,500 dollars she found in a lady’s shoe to become a successful business owner.   The story of Oliver Loving will also be told on Oct. 21.  Oliver Loving was one of the first cattle drivers, and blazed the path for the now famous Loving-Goodnight Wagon Trail which runs from West Texas to New Mexico.  Portions of his life story appear in the novel, Lonesome Dove 

Tickets for the tour are available at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce and Weatherford Parks & Recreation offices.  Tour proceeds benefit the Weatherford 150 Celebration.  For more information on the tour, call 817- 598-4124.

The Weatherford 150 Association is a program of the Parker County Heritage Society. Its goal is to spark a renewed interest in the history of one of the most unique and charming communities in North Texas: Weatherford.

July 21, 2006

Heritage Society becomes first group to become a Charter Member of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center.

The Parker County Heritage Society becomes the first group to become a Charter Member of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center. As a Charter Member, up to four group members can access the benefits of the Doss Center at any time, including free admission to the exhibit galleries. Other benefits include a subscription to the Windmill newsletter, 10% discount in the Doss Center's museum store, invitations to preview and grand opening events, priority sign-up for all programs and seminars as well as being listed in a commemorative book that will be kept at the Doss Center. Charter Membership is open to individuals, community organizations and businesses. The cost to become a Charter Member is $100 and membership continues through Oct. 1, 2007.

HERITAGE SOCIETY SPONSORING INFORMATION SESSION ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE FOR WEATHERFORD

WEATHERFORD, TX - The Parker County Heritage Society is sponsoring an information forum on the City of Weatherford’s planned historic preservation ordinance (HPO) at City Hall in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Cornerstone Group is the featured speaker and will give an overview of historic preservation ordinances and what is planned for Weatherford.
“We are pleased to have this opportunity to informally discuss HPOs with our community. Most of our residents would be shocked to discover that there is no protection for the lovely old homes, churches or buildings that make Weatherford unique,” said Melissa Moorman, president of the Heritage Society. “You see cities throughout our region trying to create what we already have; a charming downtown, a diversity of architectural styles from many different time periods and an inventory of well-maintained historic homes. We’re lucky, we don’t have to create it, we just have to protect it.”
The Cornerstone Group has been retained by the City of Weatherford to assist in drafting a historic preservation ordinance.
The Parker County Heritage Society promotes the preservation of buildings, homes, and sites of historic or architectural significance within Parker County, Texas, to the maintenance of documents and records which describe the heritage of the County, its citizens and their ancestors and to promotes civic interest in historical projects, education, and culture throughout Parker County.

Weatherford, TX - As part of the celebration of Weatherford’s 150th birthday, the centennial play given in 1956 that chronicle’s Parker County’s history has been updated to the present and needs participants to fill its 180 roles. “Panorama of the Past II 1856-2006” will be staged on July 1, but auditions will be May 2 and 3 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Alkek Fine Arts Center at Weatherford College.
“What a fantastic way to learn about Weatherford and Parker County’s history…by bringing it to life! The Sesquicentennial version will be as similar to the Centennial version as possible. In our conversations with individuals who were present at the Centennial in 1956, the play is always one of their fondest memories. We are thrilled at the opportunity to share this with today’s citizens of Weatherford,” said Heidi Boles, chair of the 150 Committee.
“There are so many roles available that it will be hard to fill them all,” said Jonell Bartoli of the 150 Association. We have roles for vocalists, walk-ons, nonspeaking roles and traditional speaking roles. There are parts for all ages from youths to seniors. We encourage everyone to try out, there is a place for you in the Sesquicentennial play.”
Some of the parts are Native Americans, politicians, students, ministers, can-can dancers, Flora Dora singers, milkmaids, agricultural products, soldiers, cowboys, pioneers, villains, a magician and techno teens. The play is being directed by Nancy McVean of Weatherford College. For more information, contact Nancy at 817-594-5471.
The Weatherford 150 Association is a program of the Parker County Heritage Society. Its goal is to spark a renewed interest in the history of one of the most unique and charming communities in North Texas: Weatherford.