The Museum of South Texas History hosts “Farm Life in South Texas” in partnership with Hub of Prosperity Farm and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Advancement from March 12 to March 14.
Each day during “Farm Life in South Texas” activities and demonstrations related to farming will be conducted either at the museum or the Hub of Prosperity Farm. On Tuesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MOSTH, visitors will experience Magic Valley history through hands-on activities. Starting in the Courtyard Gallery, an 8-minute video will highlight the history and culture of packing sheds in South Texas. At the entrance of the River Crossroads galleries, visitors will learn how land developers, who traveled by train to the Valley, purchased land, created irrigation systems and, later, operated packing sheds. Other activities will include packing crates with oranges and sensory play.
“A Day in Farm Life” role-play will take place at the Hub of Prosperity Farm located behind the Edinburg First United Methodist Church on 3707 W. University Dr. in Edinburg. Activities begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13. Participants will learn about the variety of crops that were, and still are, historically grown in South Texas, water conservation and when to harvest produce. MOSTH staff will host a station onsite to conduct oral histories that will be archived in the museum’s collections. All are welcome to record their story. Light lunch featuring produce from the Hub of Prosperity Farm will be served.
On the last day, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a Victory Garden workshop will host the first 50 people who will be given a step-by-step process on planting seeds in a pot and maintaining their seed on museum grounds. Afterward, participants can sign a “Museum Garden ID,” giving them access to their plant throughout the year. The Hub of Prosperity Farm will provide take-home kits, while supplies last. Other activities include a Wall Quilt in which participants can either draw or write about certain farm words.
“Farm Life in South Texas” is included in the regular museum admission fees: $9 for adults; $6 for seniors (62 years and older), students and active military; $5 for children ages four to 12; free for children three and under. For more information about this event and to register for your spot in the Museum Garden, please call the museum at (956) 383-6911 or visit www.mosthistory.org/events.
About Museum of South Texas History
The Museum of South Texas History is located downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook and Instagram, follow on Twitter, find on YouTube or call (956) 383-6911.
