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The general membership of the Lancaster Historical Society meets
several times each year, often (but not always) at
the historic MKT Depot. The Depot is located next to
the railroad tracks on Pecan Street, just east of Centre Street. Refreshments are
usually served at 3:30 PM, and the meeting follows at 4:00
PM. Visitors are always welcome!
2008 Programs
These events are history now, but we'll leave this information
so you can get an idea of the type of programs we offer each
year.
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18 - Peters Colony of Texas |
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Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck will present a
program about the Peters Colony of Texas. Like many other
communities, Lancaster owes its existence to settlers who came
to Texas in order to take advantage of the land grants
authorized by the Republic of Texas and administered by the W.
S. Peters Company of Louisville, Kentucky. All across
North Texas, the Peters Company doled out sections of land - a
full section (640 acres) to each family and a half-section (320
acres) to each unmarried man over 17. In order to lay
claim to the land, the settlers were required to fence their
property, build a cabin, and cultivate at least 10 acres.
They were also required to pledge allegiance to the Republic of
Texas.
Mr. Bockstruck has worked at
the Dallas Library since 1973, and currently serves as the
Supervisor of the Genealogy Section. He is the author of
several books, including a collection of his columns from the Dallas
Morning News.
This meeting will take place at the historic
Strain Farm, located at 400 S. Lancaster-Hutchins Road.
Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM, and the meeting will
begin at 4:00 PM. This event is free and open to the
public.
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The W.A. Strain
House was built in 1895-96 on land that was settled by
Peters Colonists in 1846. Visit www.StrainFarm.com
for more information.
The Strain Farm is
owned and occupied by Lancaster Historical Society
Treasurer Carol Strain-Burk and her husband Ted Burk. |
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William Johnson Winniford came to
Texas in 1845 as a Peters Colonist, then went to
California during the Gold Rush. He returned to
Texas in 1853 and homesteaded his 320-acre land grant,
which is the site of the WInniford House, currently
owned and occupied by Lancaster Historical Society Board
Member Winniford Morton. |
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3 - Lancaster, The Homefront During World War II |
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COL Charlie Wood, Wing Leader of
the Commemorative Air Force DFW Wing, will join with
Dr. Mary Sykes to present this special program about
World War II, the aircraft that made history and helped
to win the war, and the impact on folks back home.
During WWII, more than 300,000 planes were built in the
U.S., many from defense plants in the DFW
Metroplex. The Commemorative Air Force was formed
when it was discovered that these planes - the arsenal
of democracy - were systematically being destroyed/smeltered
without regard to preserving - in some cases - even one
example of the historic aircraft that changed the
world. The urgent mission began to save at least
one aircraft of each type that flew in protection of our
country. Today, that mission has been
accomplished.
The DFW
Wing of the Commemorative
Air Force is located at Lancaster
Municipal Airport. Their Hangar and Museum are
open to the public every week-end - Saturdays from 9 AM
- 4 PM, and Sundays from Noon - 4 PM.
This meeting will be held in the
conference room at the CAF Hangar. Refreshments
will be served at 3:30 PM, and the meeting/program will
begin at 4:00 PM. The meeting is free and open to
the public. |
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The
Douglas R4D was commonly called "Ready For
Duty" and was used in World War II to transport
paratroopers. This plane is in the collection of
vintage aircraft owned and maintained in flying
condition by the Commemorative Air Force at Lancaster
Airport. |
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