Editor Pick
Keasler-Blair Haus
- December 7, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
carolynann831 from Jefferson, Texas
We visited Keasler-Blair house during the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes in Jefferson, Texas.(cost to tour four homes $15 adults; $2 children under 10) To get here turn right off Hwy 49 onto Main Street(next to Brookshires Grocery). Travel south 2 blocks, take a left, another two blocks and you're there. The home, built in the 1930's, has been renovated to resemble a pre-civil war German immigrant home, allowing a reflection on the lifestyle of German immigrants who settled in the area during the mid-1800's.
Upon arrival, we were greeted in front by a gentleman dressed in mid-1800's fashion. The least ornate home on the tour, Keasler-Blair is finished in painted rustic wood with no wallpaper as was the custom for a middle class home of the era. Throughout the house are rugs and tapestry handmade by the owner from fabric scraps. Also throughout are antique pieces of German and American furniture, a German clock, and other period artifacts.
Upon entering the home, we encountered a couple, dressed and acting in character as german immigrants, discussing their day. The Christmas tree, adorned with period decorations including popcorn strands, was a cedar tree commonly found in this area. I really liked that touch because of the authenticity. They were the same Christmas trees we had when I was a young girl.
In the gentlemans parlor, where the men could smoke and play cards, we found a man in character telling jokes and humorous stories from his life. This evoked the image of a group of men relaxing in a time before electronic entertainment.
Just beyond this room was the sewing room which housed the cloth used for the beautful handmade rugs and tapetsry. Old post office sorting boxes were recycled to hold the fabric scraps sorted by color. The rugs, beautiful works of art, were made using thread from the desired color of fabric.
Last on the tour was the kitchen with modern amenities but a style in keeping with the era. Here we encountered two women, also in character as german immigrants, cooking and baking for Christmas while chatting about the happenings in the community. Through them we discovered there were appoximately 25 German immigrant families in Jefferson during the mid 1800's.
This was my favorite of the four homes on the tour because it was a reminder of a simpler time in a common middle class home. It was also a nice touch to have people in character allowing us a glimpse at a living history.
If you get a chance, tour this home. Unfortunately, they don't have regularly scheduled tours, but you might get a chance on one of the historic home tours during Christmas or the Jefferson Pilgramage in May. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys history and antiques, especially at Christmas for a glimpse of Christmas in the past. For more information on historic tours in Jefferson, Tx visit on the web at www.jefferson-texas.com or contact by phone at 903-665-2672 or 888-GO RELAX.
From journal Jefferson-Candles, Homes, and History