Denton County has just wrapped up the celebration activities surrounding its 166th birthday. Residents enjoyed a special day of festivities all designed to take a walk back in time, and to relive where we came from and where we are headed today. I would like to share with you some very special places and hidden gems within our County.
Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum
The next “Lunch and Learn” program will be a historical perspective of the “Denton Square” presented by curator and historian Kim Cupit on May 17th, 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM and located in the courtroom inside the Courthouse-on-the-Square. This program is presented in conjunction with National Preservation Month and includes historic photographs chronicling the square from the earliest merchants as well as intriguing and amusing stories.
All Courthouse Museum exhibits and lectures are free and open to the public. The courthouse has handicapped parking and accessibility through the north entrance. The Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum is located in the historic Denton County Courthouse at 110 W. Hickory in Denton.
Quakertown House
Built in 1904 by H.F. Davidson at 607 Bell Ave. in the African American community of Quakertown, this house was purchased by C. Ross Hembry in 1919. He sold the land to the City of Denton for $2,700 in 1922 and moved the structure to 1113 E. Hickory, in Solomon Hill, now Southeast Denton, when the citizens of Denton voted to make the area a park and remove the entire neighborhood. In 2004, the house was moved to this Park and dedicated as the Denton County African American Museum on February 16, 2008.
Bayless-Selby House Museum
Samuel A. Bayless and his wife, Mary, came to Denton from Monroe County, Tennessee. In 1884, he purchased a two-room farmhouse, the one-story part of the museum. Later, they built a two-story Victorian Queen Anne-style addition. Samuel died in 1919. Mary sold the house in1920 to R. L. Selby Sr. and his wife, Mary. In February, 1998, the City of Denton announced an auction for the house that is now the Bayless-Selby House Museum. Mildred Hawk of Denton, a member of the Denton County Historical Commission, was the successful bidder. In April, 1998, Mrs. Hawk gave the house to the Historical Commission for restoration as a museum. In June, 1998, the house was moved to its present location on site in the newly-created Historical Park of Denton County, just a glimpse away from the historic Downtown Denton. Restoration took justover three years, and the house was opened as the Bayless-Selby House Museum September 29, 2001. September 24, 2005, Denton County Historical Commission dedicated and unveiled the first of Denton County’s Historic Landmarks. Join us for some exciting events coming up:
Wednesday, May 16 from 11 – 11:45am: Victorian Light Fixtures & Lighting Devices: A Bright Future
Thursday, May 24 from 10:30 – 11:45am: The Selby Roses – A Garden Bursting into Life
Saturday, June 9 from 1:30 – 2:30pm: Readings from Dickens – 200 Years’ Celebration of Dickens’ Birth Denton Dickens Fellowship
Saturday, June 16 from 9 – Noon: Denton County Herb & Vegetable, Fruit & Flower Show Entries at 9, Awards at Noon
Exciting news from our Denton County Master Gardeners
The 2012 Spring Garden Tour will be held Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come out and spend the day in beautiful local gardens that have not only survived but also thrived in the recent record heat and drought. Learn about a variety of gardening topics from Diggin’ Deeper Demos at the gardens. Master Gardeners will be on-site at every location to answer your questions.
Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at each garden on tour day. Children under 14 are free.
Here are some highlights of the seven gardens:
The hotter the better! The Red Hot Survivors garden made it through last summer with flying colors.
Standing 50 feet above the surrounding countryside, The Flower Mound is 12.76 acres of wildflowers and native prairie grasses in the heart of the Town of Flower Mound.
At the Roses, Rutabagas and Radishes garden, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District grounds showcase multiple garden designs, including Hill Country, English and Japanese water-wise gardens.
A variety of perennials enhanced with colorful annuals offer a picturesque setting that is perfect for outdoor entertaining.
The distinctive feel of the Far East characterizes the Asian Inspiration Garden, filled with seasonal blooms, winding paths, arbors and garden art.
The Israel Prayer Garden in Corinth, Texas is a one-acre garden modeled after ancient maps of Israel’s twelve tribes.
The Self-Sowing Sustainable Sanctuary garden features prolific wildflowers, a ‘frog grotto’, a water fountain, and a Japanese-styled space.
For more information visit: www.dcmga.com or call 940.349.2883. Tickets are available online and at local businesses. For more information: TexasAgriLife, 940.349.2883
Have fun this spring exploring Denton County, past and present.
Andy Eads, Denton County Commissioner Pct 4, [email protected] 940-349-2801
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