Retrospect, Summer 2011 Page: 5
6 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Denton County's Traveling Trunk
Museum
By Gretel L'Heureux
Education/Tourism Director, Courthouse-on-the Square Museum
From one end of the county
1 r to the other, Denton County's
Traveling Trunk Museum is
- reaching out to hundreds of
students each year. Whether
as an introductory or
culminating activity, the
museum's K-12 traveling
museum presentations bring life
to the county's history and
enhance the social studies
curriculums being taught in the
schools.
With hands flying in the air
Gretel L Heureux takes Denton County s to the excitement of
history to classrooms around the county. experiencing hands-on artifacts, it
is dear that Denton County
students are gaining an appreciation for the county in which they live.
Students are introduced to the county's three museums and become
mesmerized with the fascinating story of the county's namesake, John
B. Denton, and his three burials - the last one being on the courthouse
lawn.
In "Then & Now" and "Life in Early Denton County', students shake
their heads in disbelief when they hear about the early days with
only a horse and no car, no washing machine or refrigerator. They
have fun guessing what artifacts are on display. They are especially
surprised when they lift the pioneer woman's heavy iron and totally
puzzled by the artifact that looks like a cheese grater that turns out to
be a toaster!
"African American Heritage" lends itself to the story of Denton's
Quakertown community. Students are amazed when they see photos
of the different stages of the African American Museum from the
Quakertown house's original location to being hauled to the Historic
Park by a truck and restored to its present state. In fact, the
Quakertown story continues to fascinate all ages - including even
adults at FEMA this past winter during Black History Month.
In "Ranching, Brands & Cattle Trails", students leam about the
influence of our Hispanic Heritage on our cowboy culture today.
Students are launched into participating in a reenactment of the cattle
drive that went through the westem part of the county by the story of
John Chisum, the nation's largest producer of cattle in 1870 who got
his start in northwest Denton County.
The Traveling Trunk Museum brings new energy and insight toenrich and increase students'
interest and appreciation of their
history. As Lewisville second
grader Andrew stated, "Thank
you for teaching us! All I can say
is WOW! I learned soooo
much!" It also brings attention to
the resources that are available
in Denton County's three
museums. "I didn't know that we
had three museums", said
Essence. "That is so awesome."
As a result, some of the students
are proud to bring their parents <
to the museums for the first time.
With comments like these, Denton
County's Museums should be in
good hands with the upcoming Krum stLdent get a small gimpse
generation. pner Gfe in Denton County through the
Triealing Trunk Museum.
TRIVIA, Lost Communities of Denton County
Elizabeth was west of Roanoke and south of the Texas Motor
Speedway.
In the 1880 census the thriving little community listed among its
residents two blacksmiths; two merchants; a hotel keeper; two
physicians; a shoemaker; a grocer and a freighter along with a
postmaster and numerous farmers and ranchers in the outlying
areas.
The post office, established in 1870, was moved and its name
changed to Roanoke in 1881 when the railroad was built about
three miles to the east. The businesses of Elizabeth soon followed.
Roanoke grew and Elizabeth withered away.
Today, only the Elizabethtown Cemetery remains as a testament
to the once thriving community.
DO YOU ENJOY HISTORY? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DENTON
COUNTY HISTORY?
If you want to preserve, protect and promote the history of Denton
County as an active volunteer, there is a place for you to serve and to
enjoy doing it.
The Denton County Historical Commission meets at 2:00 p.m. the first
Thursday of each month, except for August and December. Unless
publicly announced otherwise, meetings are held in the Commissioners
Courtroom, 2nd floor, of the Courthouse-on-the-Square. Vrson ce
wekve!
Committees for service include Archaeology/Cemetery, Education,
Historical Research, Historical Structures, Fire Truxc, Museums,
Membership, Oral History, Publications and Special Events.
Apply to be a member of the Denton County Historical Commission
by e-mailing roslyn.shelton(a)dentoncounty.com. You will be sent an
application fonn to be completed, and the application will be submitted
to the Commissioners Court for approval.
Let's go to work!Summer 2011
Page 5
Retrospect
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Denton County Historical Commission (Tex.). Retrospect, Summer 2011, periodical, Summer 2011; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth542479/m1/5/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .