Friends Gala, History Days coming up soon
By Donnie A. Lucas
& Sam Waller
The deadline to make reservations for the 19th annual Friends of Fort Griffin Gala is Monday, Oct. 9.
The Gala is set for Saturday, Oct. 14 at Collins Creek Ranch, featuring Aaron McDonnell and the Neon Eagles, and includes a meal and silent auction.
Tickets are currently on sale at $50 per plate and can be purchased by emailing susanftgriffin@aol.com or leaving a message on the group’s Facebook page. Orders can also be sent by text to 325-762-5038.
“Ticket sales are going well,” said event coordinator Susan Waller. “Usually people wait until the last minute, but more have made reservations earlier this year.”
Waller said that the meal will include ribeyes cooked by Clifford Teinert, while the sides will be prepared by the Icehouse Restaurant.
“We have to have a head count by Monday in order to get the food ordered,” she said.
The gala raises funding to support programs offered at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, which is operated by the Texas Historical Commission. The site is located about 15 miles north of Albany.
“We have several projects right now,” Waller said. “We are still working with the Texas Historical Commission on the sutlers store, and we provide funding to help with the Living History re-enactors expenses for food.”
The Living History Days this year are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14.
Waller said there will again be a silent auction.
“We are still collecting items for the auction,” Waller said. “Anyone wanting to help by donating something can contact me. This is our sole fundraiser for the year to help support the historic site projects.”
She added that the attire is “Albany Western Chic.”
Tickets can be paid by check, cash, or credit card, plus the addition of Venmo.
History Days
Fort Griffin State Historical Site offers visitors a chance to visit the past Friday-Saturday, Oct. 13-14, with its annual Living History Days.
Assistant site manager Eric Abercrombie said this year’s program will be similar to past years.
“Unfortunately, we may have fewer artillery pieces this year, because some of the guys that normally come aren’t able to make it, but we should still have a few artillery pieces,” Abercrombie said.
The program features reenactors portraying life at the fort as it was in the 1870s. Visitors can explore the ruins, from barracks to the settler’s store and the site’s best preserved building – the bakery.
Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
The Living History Days “offer families, educators, and history buffs a unique opportunity to explore the State Archeological Landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places in an immersive way,” according to event literature.
On-site activities include military interpretations from various time periods with artillery, infantry, and cavalry demonstrations, the Texas Camel Corps, and frontier living.
Abercrombie said he expects attendance on Friday, traditionally a day school groups make field trips to Fort Griffin, to be down this year.
“A lot of districts have gone to a four-day week,” he said, “so I’m not sure how many schools are going to come.”
