Key Allegro: A Vision for Growth
Exhibit opens: August 10, 2019 The Friends of the History Center for Aransas County announce the opening of the exhibit “Key Allegro: A Vision for Growth” set for Saturday, August 10th, 7:00 p.m. at 801 E. Cedar Street in Rockport. From a Karankawa Indian settlement to the resort community it is today, Key Allegro’s history is colorful and storied. The exhibit will portray the early history of the coast to the present day, capturing all aspects of the growth of Key Allegro and how it impacts Aransas County and the surrounding areas. Artifacts, maps, photographs, and videos will further illustrate the long-term vision. Keynote speaker for the opening will be Carla Krueger, daughter of Carl Kreuger, Jr. who purchased Key Allegro in 1961. Carla and her friends will share stories of her father’s vision and often unique marketing events to increase public interest in developing the property. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. The exhibit will run from August 10 – November 17, 2019. Programs will be held on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. The following topics will be presented: The History Center for Aransas County at 801 E. Cedar Street is open Mondays and Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 -4:00 p.m. You are invited to join the Friends or become a docent on a volunteer basis. For more information, visit our web site: www.thehistorycenterforaransascounty.org or call 361 727-9214.
kick-off for the 30th Annual HummerBird Celebration
Find your Pathway in Birding! Join us for a special Aransas Pathways Event ROCKPORT-FULTON, TX — Come join in as we take you on a tour of Aransas Pathways birding sites and win! The event will be the kick-off for the 30th Annual HummerBird Celebration. It will start on Thursday September 13 at 7:30 am with a coffee and snack welcome at the Aransas Pathway’s Center Pavilion, 2491 Hwy 35 North (Walmart entrance next to Tule Creek) in Rockport. Attendees will visit four Aransas pathways sites including Linda S. Castro Sanctuary, Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary and The History Center for Aransas County. This is a self-guided tour with specific times to visit each site. The event will include a Birding card game in which participants will collect special cards at each site. Cards will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. A playing card will be collected at each site. The participant who holds the winning hand at the end of the tour will be awarded a pair of Eagle Optics Kingbird 6.5×32 Binoculars. The Tour times are as follows: The tour and game are both open to the public. We encourage our visitors and locals alike to participate. For more information on the event 361-729-6445.
Vintage Fishing Lures
Come to the History Center to learn the history of fishing lures such as Bingo, Pluggin Shorty, Humps and Heddon. Melissa Cosby-Pina and her father Charles “Popo” Cosby collected and sold lures for many years. Visitors loved visiting them and seeing their collection at PoPo’s Gallery in downtown Rockport, where Popo also sold his art. While you’re at the Center, you can see our current exhibit, “Foodways: The Culinary Traditions of Aransas County.” FREE ADMISSION, but donations always appreciated. View the full event information here.
Beware of Alligator
The Aransas Pathway’s Holiday Beach Venue is a great birding site but it also has alligators. The alligators are a great attraction for our out of town guests and residents alike. Alligators are predatory animals and can be dangerous. They should be left alone and do not feed them. Feeding them could harm the alligator and could put you in danger. Please keep what happened at Disney World in mind. That alligator was fed by people and when the Dad and Son stepped in the water the alligator took the boy. We don’t want that.
Ivy Lane Walk on 2-4-2017
A great learning experience was had by all 17 participants in the second Nature walk at Ivy Lane with Kris Kirkwood. These nature walks are sponsored by Keep Aransas County Beautiful (contact – Neli Spurrell). They are held the first Saturday of the month from 9-11 am at Ivy Lane Birding Site at 242 Ivy Ln, Rockport, TX. Check our Calendar of Events for more exciting event.
Stewards of Nature
“Stewards of Nature“ Opening 10-September-2016 through 12-November 2016 The Friends of the History Center are delighted to present an exhibit about “Stewards of Nature.” Your friends and neighbors will be showcased in posters and programs that relate their efforts that have restored and preserved our precious coastal environment. The exhibit will open Saturday, September 10 with remarks at 6:00 PM at the History Center, 801 E. Cedar St. The exhibit is free and open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM – 2 PM with programs on designated Sundays at 2:00 PM. Photos courtesy Diane Nunley and Jeff Adams (USFWS) Click here to view videos and photos from the exhibit opening – 10-Sep-2016
New Birds and Plants Lists posted for Castro Nature Sanctuary
After a lot of hard work identifying, confirming, and double checking new and revised lists are available for bird species sighted and plants located at the Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary.
Celebrate Texas Independence
Beginning March 21 through May 16, 2015, at 801 E. Cedar St., the History Center for Aransas County will present “Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence,” an exhibition developed by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. On the frozen morning of March 1, 1836, 44 men shivered in an unfinished house in the tiny hamlet of Washington, Texas. They and 15 other men who later joined them, representing all the municipalities in the Mexican province of Texas, declared the territory to be a free and independent republic. Through panels of photographic images and captions, “Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence” presents an expanded look at these 59 extraordinary men who brought modern Texas into being. Connections to local descendants of those original signers will also be on view. The exhibition will be open and free to the public from March 21 to May 16, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM. To arrange group visits, go to www.aransashistorycenter.org or call 361 727-9214. To view downloadable flyer, click signers-event-flyer.
Aransas Pathways Volunteers Honored
Volunteers with Aransas Pathways were recognized for their hard work on Saturday May 9 with a luncheon, certificate and tote bag. Speakers – Tom Callan, Charlie Smith, CJ Wax and De McLallen – all praised and thanked the volunteers from the Birding groups, History groups, Trails groups and Kayakers who have helped build and promote the projects and sites of Aransas Pathways. The concept of inter-connected exceptional sites for birding and history has been desired and worked on for many years by several different volunteer groups. They came together in 2011-2012 and formed the Aransas Pathways Project. It has always been volunteers and we all imagine it will continue that way. A great job continues to be done by all.
Come to the Grand Opening of the Henderson Nature Preserve
Wednesday September 16, 2015, 10 a.m. The newest Pathways Project – Henderson Nature Preserve – Free and open to the public. About the project: The front parking lot features paver stones with grass growing in between, thus creating an penetrable surface. There is a walking trail complete with interpretive signage. The area also features two water retention ponds, which take on the water that comes from Marion Drive. The walking trail connects to Palmetto Street and there is an available entrance with an ADA compliant parking lot available from that side – near the gymnastic school, as well as entry from Henderson St. Special Guests For the Event Include: Melissa Porter- Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grants Manager; Julie McIntyre (from GLO) – CMP Project Manager; Kristen Ransom (from NOAA D.C. Office) – NOAA Program Officer; Tom Calnan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)- Texas Liaison for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). Other Activities for the day include: Guided Tour of Henderson Habitat immediately following opening.