Fort Bend Museum Complex [TX]
The Fort Bend Museum Complex presents the local history of the Brazos River and Fort Bend County, Texas. The complex includes the Long-Smith Cottage, the 1883 John M. Moore Home, the McFarlane House, and a history museum. The 1840 Greek Revival Long-Smith Cottage was once the residence of Jane Long (1798-1880), known as the "Mother of Texas." She is thought to be the first English-speaking woman to give birth to a baby in Texas. Today, the cottage is styled to depict 1840s and 1860's middle-class life in Richmond, Texas. The neoclassical 1883 John M. Moore Home belonged to a prominent area rancher and politician, John M. Moore. The house holds period rooms, meeting rooms, and exhibits. The museum offers dioramas of key historical periods, including the 1821 settlement, the Texas Revolution (1835-1836), the plantation period, and the Civil War.
The museum offers period rooms, exhibits, tours, school tours, school walking tours, school outreach programs, a traveling trunk, Scout programs, junior docent positions, and summer activities. The website offers activities, extra information, and suggested reading lists for teachers.