Winter encampment set

By Melinda L. Lucas

The first Winter Encampment at Fort Griffin State Historic Site is being hosted this Saturday, Feb. 15 by members of the park’s Living History Association.

The event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to come and learn more about life on the Texas frontier.

Also planned that day is the final trout fishing day of the winter from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a staff member on hand to provide asistance.

“Winter Encampment will give a unique perspective into life during the winter months on the Texas frontier,” said Fort Griffin program specialist Eric Abercrombie. 

He expects eight camps to be set up for the day.

A fall reenactment has been in place for well over a decade, but this is the first time that a winter encampment has been hosted at Fort Griffin.

Event organizer and living history association vice president Sharon Baird said that there will be a cavalry speaker, spinning and weaving demonstrations, foods of the 1870s, and stories told of settlers and Native Americans. 

There will also be information on winter warfare, weapons of the era, and battle time lines of the Indian Wars.

The cost of general admission includes access to the fort, Winter Encampment demonstrations, hiking trails, and the trout fishing day activities. 

For more information about Fort Griffin State Historic Site, to make camping reservations, or to learn more about upcoming events, visit www.visitfortgriffin.com or call 325-762-3592.