Brush Square Museums

The O. Henry Museum is the former residence of William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry, the short story writer who authored such classics as “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Ransom of Red Chief,” and “The Last Leaf.” The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts and archival materials relative to Porter for literary, educational, and historical purposes. The Susanna Dickinson Museum is the 1869 home of Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig. It was saved and deeded to the City of Austin in 2003. Joseph Hannig built this home in 1869 for his new wife, Susanna Dickinson. She survived the Battle of the Alamo and carried the news of its fall to Sam Houston, which ultimately led to Houston's defeat of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto and won independence for the Republic of Texas. For this deed, Susanna Dickinson became known as the "Messenger of the Alamo." Her home was saved, restored, and opened as a museum on March 2, 2010.

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Resources from Brush Square Museums

Resource Kit

Frontier Fabricators-Central Texas Women and Children in the 1800s

Often, early Texas settlers are portrayed as rugged cowboys with larger than life hats and mustaches. However, moving to new lands and setting up homesteads and ranches required hard work from everyone in the family, including the children! The Frontier Fabricators Trunk explores the often overlooked roles of women and children on the Texas frontier through examination of household tools, clothing, and even the toys that were fabricated to entertain children on the frontier. Just as today, play was an important part of life for children in early Texas. Everyone contributed to the success of the family as they embarked on their journey to create a new life on the Texas Frontier.

Created by: Brush Square Museums

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Tools of the Trade

Frontier Fabricators-Central Texas Women and Children in the 1800s

Just like any other job, settlers on the Texas frontier had specialized tools for the work they needed to accomplish. They needed to make many of the items needed for survival such as food, clothing, and shelter. They sometimes took supplies and animals with them on their long journeys to new homes in Texas. But many times, they needed to gather supplies from new and often unfamiliar surroundings by hunting animals, gathering wild plants, finding water sources, and planting crops. Many women were in charge of helping their families find or make all of the items they needed to survive. Even children were expected to help prepare food, sew clothing, tend animals, and provide care for other younger children in the family. Let's analyze these artifacts and find out what kind of tools they are!

Created by: Brush Square Museums

Frontier Toys-Build Your Own Acrobat!

Frontier Fabricators-Central Texas Women and Children in the 1800s

How did 19th Century pioneer children play? Let's try building a homemade toy and then take a look at other popular toys at the time.

Created by: Brush Square Museums

Making Butter the Pioneer Way

Frontier Fabricators-Central Texas Women and Children in the 1800s

Homemade butter is old fashioned, but it isn't hard to make. Learn how the Texas pioneers did it!

Created by: Brush Square Museums

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