History
The Log Cabin Village is a living history museum devoted to the preservation of Texas heritage. The Village was originally a project of Pioneer Texas Heritage Committee and members of the Tarrant County Historical Society. Six log houses, dating back to the mid 1800s, were selected from the North Texas region, moved to the present site, and restored in the 1950s. The Village was then donated to the City of Fort Worth, and it opened to the public in 1966. The Foster Cabin, an impressive 1850s log house, was added in 1974, and the 1870s Marine School in 2003.
Today, each of the historical structures, furnished with authentic artifacts, provides a vivid look at life in the nineteenth century North Texas frontier. Each log house displays different aspects of pioneer life. The exhibits include a water-powered gristmill, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, an herb garden, and several log home settings. Historical interpreters, who are City of Fort Worth staff and volunteers, depict the lifestyle of the pioneers who settled in the area in the mid to late 1800s.
Throughout the Village, interpreters bring the 19th century to life. Skilled spinners twist natural wool into thread for knitting and weaving. At the gristmill, the miller grinds shelled corn into meal as the water wheel creaks and moans. Candles on the cooling rack and cauldrons of wax lead to visions of living by candle light. The echo of the blacksmith beating on hot metal as he shapes nails may be heard on some days. Visitors may sit on the hard wooden benches in the one-room school house and imagine doing sums on slates with the dim light of lanterns. It is these sensory experiences, along with the beautiful natural surroundings, that make the Log Cabin Village a memorable and unique place to learn about the past.The Village collections consist of authentic artifacts and reproductions from the Texas time period. These collections include furniture, textiles, personal artifacts, tools and equipment, photographs, and family documents. The Research Collection contains some of the most fragile and historically valuable artifacts,such as quilts, photographs, family letters and deed records. All these artifacts relate to the time period interpreted by the Village, primarily 1840 to 1890, although some date earlier because of their relevance to Texas pioneer history. The Research collection is accessible to the public, but it is available for viewing by appointment only. The museum also has a Public Use collection that consists primarily of reproductions. These objects are intended to be used by the public, particularly for educational programs.