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Round Rock Celebrates Historic Preservation Month with Events

Community members participating in historic events in Round Rock

News Summary

Round Rock marked Historic Preservation Month with a series of engaging activities centered around the city’s heritage. Highlights included the 19th Annual Pioneer Day, showcasing Texas culture with live music, crafts, and educational activities for children. The festivities brought together over 1,500 participants, emphasizing community ties and nostalgia. Events also featured a Chuckwagon dinner and a multi-class reunion for local high school graduates, all reinforcing the importance of preserving the city’s history and fostering pride among residents.

Round Rock Celebrates Historic Preservation Month with Engaging Events

May 2025 marked a significant month for historic engagement in Round Rock as the Round Rock Preservation (RRP) organization took active steps to celebrate Historic Preservation Month. The festivities, centered around the city’s rich heritage, included family-friendly activities such as the much-anticipated Pioneer Day and a multi-class reunion for local high school graduates.

Highlights of Pioneer Day

Celebrated annually, this year’s 19th Annual Pioneer Day event was presented by The Williamson Museum and attracted over 1,500 participants, making it a grand success. Taking place at the Old Settlers Association, the event showcased the vibrant fabric of Texas heritage through live music, authentic crafts, chuckwagon settings, and various engaging activities. Children particularly enjoyed activities centered around learning what life was like on the frontier—such as coloring train tickets, which were later punched by a friendly figure known to attendees as Frank the Friendly Conductor.

A Day of Learning and Nostalgia

As part of the educational offerings, children from the Round Rock Independent School District were brought in by school buses, totaling around 400 students who thrived in this environment filled with reenactments and opportunities to engage with friendly baby goats and chickens. Some participants established emotional ties, reminiscing about their personal family histories as they explored the day’s activities. The site was captured in vivid detail through the photography of local enthusiast Shirley Marquardt, adding a visual narrative to this celebratory day.

Chuckwagon Dinner and Class Reunion

The Chuckwagon dinner, held on Friday night prior to the main event, saw another massive turnout with families coming together to enjoy hearty meals, fostering connections in the community. The following day, RRP also took part in the Round Rock High School class reunion, which took place at Palm Valley Lutheran Church on May 3. Graduates from years between 1952 and 1972 attended the reunion, sharing cherished memories and celebrating longstanding friendships. Throughout the event, RRP representatives provided valuable information about ongoing and future preservation efforts in the area.

The Goals of Round Rock Preservation

The mission of the Round Rock Preservation (RRP) is clear: to advocate for the historic preservation of the city of Round Rock. This initiative executed through events like Pioneer Day not only preserves the past but also educates future generations about the city’s history and heritage. Volunteers played crucial roles in the success of these events, including individuals such as Frank and Ann Darr, Judy and Jim Anderson, and Tina Steiner, who dedicated their time and effort in various capacities.

Looking Ahead

As the community looks forward to more of these enriching experiences, there is a robust encouragement for residents to participate in upcoming events. Special attention has already begun for the next year’s Pioneer Day, promising to continue the tradition of celebrating and remembering Round Rock’s rich history. Through these community collaborations, RRP reinforces its commitment to preserving the unique heritage of Round Rock and fosters a sense of pride in the history that shapes the present and future of the area.