HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 - Nash Farm MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2012
SUBJECT: INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMMING, EDUCATION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF NASH FARM 2012-2015
PRESENTATION:
Convention & Visitors Bureau staff will present to the City Council proposed plans for
realizing Nash Farm's value as an educational and learning experience for Grapevine's
school children, citizens and visitors on life on the GrapeVine Prairie c. 1859-1900.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2011 the position of Nash Farm Manager was filled with the hiring of Jim
Lauderdale, an experienced educator and heritage farm interpreter. Mr. Lauderdale brings
important knowledge, skills and ability to move Grapevine's heritage interpretive program
forward at Nash Farm.
Improved economic conditions allow for the continued improvements to be made to the
facilities at Nash Farm in support of our interpretive/educational program. Improvements
(that have been a part of the Nash Farm Master Plan and date back to the Lonn Taylor
Report) include walking paths, additional outdoor exhibits, accommodations for farm
animals, a classroom building, the establishment of a main entrance with a Manager's office
and farm fencing.
Outside exhibits will be constructed to allow for both self-guided tours and interpretive
demonstrations of life on the GrapeVine Prairie from 1859-1900. The Nash Home will be
developed into a house museum to show how the Nash family lived during this same period
of significance.
On August 4, 2011 the Convention & Visitors Bureau Historic Preservation staff held a
special meeting of the Nash Farm Committee to review the existing Master Plan for Nash
Farm. At the meeting it was unanimously voted to install a perimeter security fence,
entrance gate house (Estill Cottage c. 1890) and classroom building (Soil Conservation
Cottage c. 1930) at Nash Farm.
January 30,2012