Heritage Association History
2012-2014
One of the highlights of 2012 was “If the Dead Could Talk,” a successful Cemetery Walk held in October at the San Marcos Cemetery. Celebrating 15 veterans of seven wars who are buried in the cemetery, the event was jointly sponsored by the Friends of the San Marcos Cemetery and proceeds were earmarked to purchase historic signs for the cemetery. In May, five beautiful homes were featured in “A Stroll Through Historic San Marcos,” the 37th annual Tour of Homes. In conjunction with this tour, the “First Saturday Heritage, San Marcos” initiative was launched to create a lasting partnership between the Association and the community’s other cultural and historic sites. The iconic gazebo in Juan Veramendi Plaza received a much-needed facelift in the fall thanks in part to a $30,000 Heritage donation. Also this year, Heritage presented an encore screening of the Aquarena Springs documentary, expanded its Oral History project by including videotaped interviews, and launched a redesigned and renamed website, HeritageSanMarcos.org. The Association's hard work this year resulted in the “Non-Profit of the Year” Award from the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.
Among the memorable Heritage events of 2013 was the “Heritage Roundup on the Square: Sunday Cinema and Social” in June. The Association partnered with the Hays County Historical Commission to show the documentary 101 Ranch: The Story of the Kuykendall Family at the Texas Music Theatre, followed by an old-fashioned cobbler social on the courthouse lawn. The Riverwalk Park Committee successfully sold and installed bricks on the fountain plaza to fund the final $5,000 pledged toward the gazebo repair project. The 2013 Tour of Homes focused on Hopkins Street, and the second annual Cemetery Walk introduced visitors to several of our city’s founders and settlers. At the Cottage Kitchen, our volunteers served 562 more people than in 2012 with a 50% increase in revenue.
An expanded agenda was adopted for the 2014 Tour of Homes, encouraging participants of all ages to interact with the history of our community. “Grit & Grace: The Powerful Combination that Built our Community” featured four different historic homes, an art show and sale, an historic reenactment at the Merriman Cabin, a USO themed venue with root beer floats and jazz music, and much more. Several sites on the tour had connections to the Col. Peter C. Woods family, and author Janet Woods Windle was guest of honor for a separately ticketed brunch in conjunction with the tour. The Riverwalk Committee made several enhancements to Veramendi Park, including the addition of a new lighted flagpole, a Tree of Honor plaque, and the purchase of hundreds of American flags that were placed between the gazebo and the fountain plaza on Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. The oral history committee made Heritage history by capturing subjects on video for the first time. The year ended with the return of the Christmas “Homes for the Holidays” tour that featured five beautifully decorated homes.
Among the memorable Heritage events of 2013 was the “Heritage Roundup on the Square: Sunday Cinema and Social” in June. The Association partnered with the Hays County Historical Commission to show the documentary 101 Ranch: The Story of the Kuykendall Family at the Texas Music Theatre, followed by an old-fashioned cobbler social on the courthouse lawn. The Riverwalk Park Committee successfully sold and installed bricks on the fountain plaza to fund the final $5,000 pledged toward the gazebo repair project. The 2013 Tour of Homes focused on Hopkins Street, and the second annual Cemetery Walk introduced visitors to several of our city’s founders and settlers. At the Cottage Kitchen, our volunteers served 562 more people than in 2012 with a 50% increase in revenue.
An expanded agenda was adopted for the 2014 Tour of Homes, encouraging participants of all ages to interact with the history of our community. “Grit & Grace: The Powerful Combination that Built our Community” featured four different historic homes, an art show and sale, an historic reenactment at the Merriman Cabin, a USO themed venue with root beer floats and jazz music, and much more. Several sites on the tour had connections to the Col. Peter C. Woods family, and author Janet Woods Windle was guest of honor for a separately ticketed brunch in conjunction with the tour. The Riverwalk Committee made several enhancements to Veramendi Park, including the addition of a new lighted flagpole, a Tree of Honor plaque, and the purchase of hundreds of American flags that were placed between the gazebo and the fountain plaza on Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. The oral history committee made Heritage history by capturing subjects on video for the first time. The year ended with the return of the Christmas “Homes for the Holidays” tour that featured five beautifully decorated homes.
