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File #: 25-832    Version: 1
Type: Report Status: Regular Agenda
File created: 10/14/2025 In control: Historical Preservation & Restoration Board
On agenda: 10/23/2025 Final action:
Title: Receive an update on Historical Park current projects, events, and upcoming activities.
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Title

Receive an update on Historical Park current projects, events, and upcoming activities.

 

Body

Staff will be present to discuss the current projects, events, and upcoming activities happening at the Historical Park.

 

Calendar of Events for October 23 - December 31, 2025

 

 

Halloween in the Park

Sat | Oct 25 | 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.| Family Friendly | Free for Residents with Boo Passes

 

Join us for Halloween in the Park at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Featuring a KidZone with face painting, balloon artists, bounce house, carnival rides, and crafts, as well as food trucks, roaming characters, and live entertainment.

 

Branch Arts Live - Gussie Field Watterworth Park

Sun | Oct 26 | 12:45 - 4 p.m. (come & go) | Family Friendly | Free

 

Enjoy an afternoon of live dance performances by a variety of local schools and organizations brought to you by the Arts & Culture Committee.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

 

 

Diá de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration

Thur | Oct 30 | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.| Family Friendly | Free

 

Diá de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. Join the Historical Park and the community as we welcome back and honor the souls of our deceased loved ones.  Activities include musical and dance performances, Loteria, kids’ crafts, air brush artists, and a beautiful community altar where attendees can pay respect and celebrate beloved family and friends.  Notecards, candles, and flowers provided to place on the altar.  Attendees are invited to bring duplicate photos or mementos to lay at the community altar to honor their loved ones; items will not be returned.  Festival food and beverages will be available for purchase.

 

Fall Family Minis: Photoshoot

Sun | Nov 16 | sessions:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

$150 per 20-minute mini session; pre-registration is required. 

 

The Farmers Branch Historical Park is excited to announce it is partnering with Rosa Poetschke Photography for a special day of fall family photo mini sessions.  What’s included in the session:  20-minute mini session, private online gallery, 8 digital images, print release rights, and $20 credit to online print store at www.rosapoetschke.com <http://www.rosapoetschke.com>.  If you have questions and want some inspiration or outfit planning, feel free to message Rosa Poetschke Photography once you have booked your mini.

 

 

The Victorian Fencing Society presents a Grand Assault of Arms                     

Sun | Nov 16 | 1 - 3 p.m. (come & go) | Family Friendly | Free

 

A Public Exhibition of Nineteenth Century Fencing Matches, to be contested among the members of the Victorian Fencing Society with various fencing weapons to determine a champion.  Visitors are invited to cheer for their champions, ask questions, and take photos of the events.

 

 

Mad Hatter Tea

Tickets on sale:  Mon | Dec 1 | 8 a.m.

Tea:  Sat | Mar 7 | 1 - 3 p.m.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

 

Join us for our annual Mad Hatter Tea at Venue 1842!  Don’t be late for a very important date!  By order of the Queen of Hearts, you’re cordially invited to a curious tea party, complete with lunch, dessert, tea, lemonade, and a chance to snap a pic with Lewis Carroll’s, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland characters.  “Every adventure requires a first step” as the Cheshire Cat wisely says.

 

Exciting new seating options! Table of eight: $240 and table of ten: $300.  Community seating available, for individuals and smaller parties; $30 per seat.  For questions, please call 972-919-8735.  Space and tables are limited; pre-registration is required.  Tickets are non-refundable.  Don’t miss this whimsical wonderland.

 

 

Artchella: Summer ARTventure 2026 with Paloma

On sale:  Mon | Dec 1 | 8 a.m.

Camp dates:  June 15 - 19, 2026

Camp times:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$250 per camper; space is limited and pre-registration is required. Price includes all materials, including snacks.

Ages 6 - 12.

 

Camp instructor:  Paloma Nadine, Artist and C-FBISD Art Teacher

 

Pack your imagination and get ready for a colorful journey! We will dive into a world of creativity, exploration, and artistic discovery. Each day is a new adventure filled with painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media, and more.

 

Artchella: Surf’s Up! Summer Camp 2026 with Paloma

On sale:  Mon | Dec 1 | 8 a.m.

Camp dates:  June 22 - 26, 2026

Camp times:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$250 per camper; space is limited and pre-registration is required. Price includes all materials, including snacks.

Ages 6 - 12.

 

Camp instructor:  Paloma Nadine, Artist and C-FBISD Art Teacher

 

Get ready to ride a wave of imagination. We will dive into ocean-inspired art adventures all week long. From sandy shores to sunny skies, each day is filled with hands-on projects, beachy vibes, and artistic exploration. A new adventure daily filled with painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media, and more.

 

Girls Make History Camp 2026

On sale:  Mon | Dec 1 | 8 a.m.

Camp dates:  July 13 - 17, 2026

Camp times:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$250 per camper; space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Ages 6 - 12.

 

Camp instructors: Bonnie Neumann - Historical Cultural Specialist, Lauren Prengler - Museum Educator, and Hillary Kidd - Historical Park Manager

 

Join the Historical Park on an adventure to meet girls from the past who have shaped America!  Experience the life of girls from early pioneer days, the Victorian Era, the Jazz Age, the nifty 50’s, and ending with a celebration of the counterculture that made the 1970’s so exciting!  Camp activities include cooking, baking, specialty crafts, outdoor nature walks, and lots more. This award-winning camp will explore the impact girls have made throughout American history!  A snack will be provided.  Please bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer to camp each day.  Price includes all materials.  Camp will begin outdoors and rotate between several structures during the afternoon.  Camper drop off and pick-up in the Historical Park parking lot.

 

 

A Christmas Carnival

Sat | Dec 6 | 5 - 9 p.m. | Family Friendly | Free

 

Immerse yourself in a holiday wonderland as the Farmers Branch Historical Park transforms into A Christmas Carnival.  The park will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holiday season featuring live performances.

 

 

Christmas Teas

Sat | Dec 6 at 11 a.m. - SOLD OUT

Sat | Dec 13 at 11 a.m. - SOLD OUT

 

Enjoy a new twist on a Historical Park tradition with our Christmas Teas in Venue 1842! Join us for an afternoon of live harp music, delectable treats, Christmas décor, and of course, tea.

 

 

Christmas Exhibit Tours

Sat | Dec 6 and 13 at 12:30 p.m.

Fri | Dec 12 and 19| lantern-led at 7 p.m.

Family Friendly

$5 per person; space is limited and pre-registration is required.

 

Celebrate the season with guided tours of the From Prairie to Posh Christmas exhibit.  The exhibit offers a glimpse into the mid-late 19th century and spotlights how the average "citified" urban versus "country" rural family celebrated Christmas.  Guests will be able to compare the similarities and differences in the decorations, gifts, entertainment, and attire.

 

Wreaths Across America - Keenan Cemetery

Sat | Dec 13 | Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. | Family Friendly | Free

 

Join us at Keenan Cemetery with Wreaths Across America to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. This is a nation-wide ceremonial event.

 

 

Operating and Holiday Hours: (Park begins closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 2)

 

Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) - Park open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Holiday) - Park Closed

 

Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Park Closed

 

Thursday, January 1 (New Year’s Day - Park Closed