By Joan Frances |
Photos by the Fort Bend County Museum –
The dining room of the Moore Home is adorned with festive décor each December.
Over one hundred years ago when land was abundant and Fort Bend residents lived miles apart, holidays were celebrated with meticulous detail. Decorations were sewn, built or cut. Ornaments were popcorn strands and pine cones. Mistletoe and holly was lavishly placed on the mantle, the smell of evergreen permeated the rooms and poinsettias dotted the halls. The oil lamps and burning fireplaces exaggerated the shadows on the wall making the large pine tree in the hall glow with the magic of the season. Gifts were handmade and wrapped with loving care. The winter air was invigorating, and wild turkey gobbled in the fields. Moods were joyous with high expectations of Christmas day. This old-fashioned Christmas made life eventful and reflective.
Today, Christmas is very different. Retailers stock shelves with enticing items as early as August. Choices are numerous and patrons begin the decorating protocol earlier every year. Houses are strung with never ending lights, and artificial trees make the job easy. Children make “lists” of gifts they must have. Somehow, the spirit is lost in commercialism. Wouldn’t it be amazing to go back to the way it all began?
Fort Bend County Museum docents Dottie Allen, Claire Rogers, Joyce Lolley, Liz Stamey, Austa Sue Kelley and Felesa Baker.
Fort Bend residents can take a step back in time during the holidays by visiting the Richmond home of Congressman John Moore, his wife, Lottie, and their three children. This original Victorian two-story mansion built in 1883 boasts four bedrooms, a classic revival porch and six regal columns. Richmond’s First Baptist Church was founded in the house, and the Moore’s hosted many politicians and cattlemen. They were very generous people, opening their doors for over fifty years, and Christmas was, as it is today, a very special time at the Moore Home.
The Moore family shared happy as well as turbulent times. Civil War disrupted the peace of the area, and many homes were used to house military troopers passing through the town. Schools were closed, and the town virtually shut down. Through the years, the Moore house suffered disarray. Thanks to the Fort Bend County Museum Society, the home has been renovated and updated. Now used for meetings, weddings and holiday events, there is a museum on the main floor for touring, but perhaps the most special time of year at the historic landmark is Christmas.
Each decorated room in the home depicts family stories and events.
One highly anticipated event at the Moore Home is the annual Candlelight Tour. For over 35 years, as many as 350 people from all over the area come to enjoy the sights. Over five hundred school children make field trips to learn about the exciting cultural heritage of Fort Bend through Moore Home.
This year, the Annual Candlelight Tour is set for December 6th and 7th. “Life in the Moore Home” will be the themed setting. The Fort Bend County Museum Society docents spend eight months carefully planning and orchestrating this event. They work tirelessly to capture the true essence of vintage history through authentic decorations and furnishings. The Moore Home is decorated for Christmas inside and out in early December, and tours are given on a regular basis.
The residents of Fort Bend are lucky to have cities that put extra effort in capturing the authentic meaning of the season. The Moore Home is a must-see to enjoy a holiday tradition from the past.