History series continues at museum

WALLISVILLE— From Black cowboys to local historical figure Sarah Ridge to Anahuac's role in the Texas Revolution, the Chambers County Museum at Wallisville is offering an opportunity to learn a bit about pivotal moments in history. 

The museum will feature a second edition of the History and Then Some series, beginning Sept. 18, continuing on the third Thursday of each month, and ending on Nov. 20.  

"We had amazing success with our first three productions of History and Then Some," said museum Director Marie Hughes. "It's been very well received."  

On Thursday, Sept. 18, Preston Frank, who is a descendant of a line of natural-born cowboys, will present "The Legacy of the Black Cowboy."  

Frank's grandfather, Cosied "Shine" Frank, worked on the McFadden Ranch in Jefferson County and was known for his skill as an all-around cowboy. "Shine" also rode a bucking horse in the film "Buffalo Bill."  

Frank's father, Floyd Frank, spent much time with his father at the ranch, learning the way of the cowboy, before he began working at Boyt Ranch, which stretches across four counties.  

In 2016, Floyd received the honor of being the only cowboy from the area inducted into the National Multicultural Western Museum Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.  

On Thursday, Oct. 16, author Nancy Stanfield Webb, great-granddaughter of Texas pioneers, will present "Sarah Ridge: A Woman of Marked Character."  

Now living in Rhode Island, Stanfield Webb devoted three decades to researching and writing the two-part biographical/historical fiction series on former Smith Point resident, Sarah Ridge.  

The novels follow the life of Sarah Ridge, 1814-1891, daughter of Cherokee leader Major Ridge.  

Ridge moved to Galveston with her husband after her father and brother, John Ridge, were assassinated by Cherokees for selling their land. The Trail of Tears was just three years later.  

Around 1856, Ridge moved to Smith Point, and there she is buried in a family cemetery.  

While the novels are fiction, much of the details are historically accurate, following the life of Ridge.  

"She (Stanfield Webb) did such a deep dive into the culture, the surroundings, the weather and everything involved," Hughes said.  

Stanfield Webb's essays and articles have been published in Southwest Art magazine and various other magazines. She is also an associate member of Western Writers of America and the recipient of a writing residency to Millay Colony for the Arts.  

Stanfield Webb will present her two-volume collection of "A Woman of Marked Character," and she will have copies for sale during her presentation.  

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Justice Ken Wise, 14th Circuit Court of Appeals in Houston, will present "The Anahuac Disturbance."  

"He is just an amazing historian," Hughes said.  

Wise will discuss major events, now known as the Anahuac Disturbances, that sparked the Texas Revolution.  

Wise is a part-time professor at Houston Baptist University and a former part-time professor at the University of Houston Law Center. He is the creator and host of the award-winning Texas history podcast, "Wise About Texas," and has published multiple articles.  

In 2021, Wise was honored by the Texas House of Representatives for his contributions in preserving Texas history.  

Admission is free, but seating is limited, so the museum asks those interested to make a reservation for each session of interest. For more information on the presentations or to make a reservation, call 409-389-2252.  

The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is located at 20136 Interstate 10 E., Wallisville.