On June 3, 2012, the San Saba County Historical Museum Foundation held its annual spring membership event at the Mill Pond Park Civic Center. After all were welcomed by Lynn Blankenship, Foundation President, Reverend Drew Harrison, Pastor for the Presbyterian Church, San Saba, gave the invocation. Presentation of the Colors and Pledges were presented by Troup #55, San Saba County Cub Scouts USA and Scoutmaster, Joe Pete Smith. Following the Presentation of the Colors and Pledges was the National Anthem, led by Rebecca Whitley.

The foundation meeting was then called to order by President Blankenship. The minutes, read by Aileen Roberts, Museum Secretary, were approved as read. Museum Treasurer, David Williams presented the treasurer’s report. It was also approved as read. Jerry Blankenship, Chair of the Building Committee, presented the LCRA Grant update, which included the extensive renovations made to the museum’s interior. Mrs. Roberts, member of the Building Committee, discussed the need of additional donations to further improve the appearance of both the museum’s interior and exterior façade.

Clione Rochat, Nominating Committee Chair, then presented the new slate of officers and trustees for the museum foundation. All were nominated by acclamation and approved. The new officers for the county museum are Lynn Blankenship, President; Clione Rochat, Vice President; Aileen Roberts, Secretary-Reporter; David Williams, Treasurer; Paula Barrier, Curator; Kay Nettleship, Memorials; Nelda Weatherby, Historian; and Ann McElroy, Public Relations/Development Coordinator. The new Museum Trustees include Kathy Brockman, Rosemary Cox and Johnnie Clawson. The 2010-2013 Trustees are Carl Mack Carter, Ann McElroy, Elsie Millican, and Anna Wilson. The 2011-2014 Trustees are Celia Bell, Johnnie Clawson, Debbie Taff, and Buddy Whitley. The 2012-2015 Trustees are Jerry Blankenship, Kathy Brockman, Rosemary Cox, and Bettye McLaughlin.

Following the election of officers and trustees, President Blankenship announced that the next museum foundation presentation will be the program, “Barbs, Bullets & Blood: The Wire War that Revolutionized Texas” on Saturday, June 16, 2012. The program will be presented at the Mill Pond Park Civic Center from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission is by donation.

The business meeting was then adjourned and President Blankenship then called upon Buddy Whitley, Museum Trustee, to introduce the keynote speaker, Chuck Hixon, LCRA Archeologist. Mr. Hixon, who has both a BA and MA in Anthropology from The University of Texas at Austin, has performed archeological work for the LCRA for the last 14 years. He is currently serving as one of the principal investigators for LCRA’s blanket permit with the Texas Historical Commission and during the current drought has been involved in a project to document shoreline archeological sites on Lake Buchanan. He served as president of the Llano Uplift Archeological Society from 2000 to 2007. His archeological interests include ceramic technology, global information systems, and prehistoric use of freshwater mussels.

During the construction of the LCRA San Saba River Nature Park, Mr. Hixon served as the Project Archeologist of the team that conducted an intensive investigation and evaluation of both the prehistoric and historic archeological significance in the park. During his presentation, Mr. Hixon discussed both the procedure and systematic recording of any findings that were made, particularly the information garnished regarding the waterworks and both homesteads which reside within the park. After Mr. Hixson’s well received presentation, President Blankenship thanked him on behalf of the museum organization.

Following the president’s adjournment of the meeting, guests were served refreshments and invited to view the recent museum renovations. Refreshments were provided by Aileen Roberts and Clione Rochat, Refreshment Committee Co-Chairs. Floral arrangements were provided courtesy of the San Saba Garden Club and President, Anna Wilson.

The museum is located within the Mill Pond Park. For further information regarding the county museum and museum membership, as well as the upcoming presentation, “Barbs, Bullets & Blood,” can be found at http://www.sansabamuseum.org.