2008

Elementary Schools Tour NCHM
The fourth-grade curriculum unit, The Story of the Neill-Cochran House, is a favorite among Austin elementary school teachers. From January to May, the Neill-Cochran House Museum welcomed hundreds of students, the climax of a five-day study of the House -- its architecture and rich history.

Historic Houses of the Hudson River Study Tour April 16 - 21
The fourth in our series of study tours offered 20 Friends of the Neill-Cochran House Museum access to historic sites and museums from Manhattan to Albany. Members of the New York Society of NSCDA graciously extended hospitality and numerous grand houses opened their doors for the appreciative group. The wide range of historic house museums visited on the trip further enlightened the group as to the never-ending challenges and possibilities associated with stewarding the NCHM.

English-Speaking Union April 2
The English-Speaking Union chose the Neill-Cochran House Museum as a venue for its penultimate meeting of the year. Dr. George Scott Christian delivered the program "Famous Marriages of the Victorian Era" to a packed house.

Abner Cook Birthday Party March 29
Friends of the Neill-Cochran House Museum gathered again to celebrate the birthday of master builder Abner Cook. Included in the festivities this year were the Docents of the Texas Governor's Mansion, who have been on hiatus since November, with the closing of the Mansion for renovations. The annual Abner Cook Award was presented to consulting historian and NCHM docent Sue Winton Moss in recognition of her work with the Modern Times speaker series, her professional contributions to the NCHM Interpretive Plan, and her involvement in the NCHM Docent Program.

In the News March 20
The Neill-Cochran House Museum was featured in Melanie Spencer's article, "Find your flair for living near and far," in the "Life & Style" section of the Austin American-Statesman. The article included a beautiful color photograph of recently acquired faux food for a Neill family meal that included a wild turkey with raisin and chestnut garnishes, mustard greens and salt pork, baked sweet potatoes, rolls and butter, Port, and plum pudding. The exhibit was a gift from the Friends membership and private donations and tells the story of a Southern dinner in the late 19th century.

Anderson High School Tours March 6
Anderson Home Economics teacher Jill Farmer brought eight of her interior design students to see the Neill-Cochran House Museum collection of 19th-century furnishings. The class combined this glimpse into Austin?s social history with a tour of downtown's historic buildings.

Oral History Project March
Thanks to a generous anonymous gift to the NCHM, Dr. Martha Norkunas conducted a thorough oral history of Mary Cochran Bohls. As we continue our analysis of the museum's narrative, this document will serve as an invaluable resource in creating and instituting an Interpretive Plan. Dr. Norkunas is a research scientist in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin as well as director of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Oral History & Diversity Project.

Interpretive Plan Project March 29
Following the 2004 Strategic Plan, the Museum Properties Committee and museum director initiated the first step toward the creation of a fundamental house museum document called an Interpretive Plan. The multifaceted project involves a team of experts and NCHM volunteers to bring together a cohesive design for the historical space, collections, and narrative using all the research tools at hand. The goal of the project is to bring together for the first time, the story of the House, its occupants, and relevant interiors. The Interpretive Plan team will complete its recommendations by the end of August.

Girl Scout Tour February 23
Girl Scouts from Spring, Texas, swept through Austin stopping at the Neill-Cochran House Museum and the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum before setting up camp in Westlake. The troop, mostly composed of second-grade girls, their leaders, and chaperones received a tour tailored especially to them.

Book Signing February 13
The NCHM was the venue for a celebratory book signing for Drane Kendall Haw of Waco, Texas, whose collection of verses and witticisms turned into Joyous Pursuits, published in 2007. The book, in its second printing, has great bedside manner, and the crowd assembled delighted in hearing Mrs. Haw read her favorite selections.

Texas Historic Book of Days Reception and Book Signing January 25
Retired librarian and researcher Yvonne Bruce and her daughter Ann Hénaff, a graphic designer and watercolorist, have created a stunning book of days. The book addresses "what made Texas what it was before the oil boom," according to Hénaff, and was inspired by "families who came to the state in the 19th century to take advantage of homestead claims in an unsettled land, hoping for a new life for them and their children. Life was lived according to the seasons, and hard work and hospitality were the order of the day." Participants lined up to have their books autographed by Mrs. Bruce and Mrs. Hénaff and agreed that its recipes, diary excerpts, and history combine with the watercolors to make this book a requirement for an Texana collection. The book is available at www.brightskypress.com.

In the News January 8
In the business report, "On the Move," the Austin American-Statesman noted that administrator Cecille Marcato is now the Director of the Neill-Cochran House Museum. This title reflects her actual responsibilities and the very public presence that has characterized her work on behalf of the historic house.

2007

Exhibition: Colonel Neill's Christmas Dinner December 5
In the first-ever viewing of this annual exhibit, oysters and a wild turkey enlivened the dining room, attracting attention from museum visitors and media. This outstanding first experience with faux food has inspired further study of traditional cooking and presentation. The food, designed by Houston artist Henri Gadbois, along with a period table setting became a focal point for children (and adults!) on educational field trips. Not only did it offer a glimpse into 19th-century Southern foodways, the vignette enabled discussion on the tools of the table, which were as varied and specific as those of the toolshed.

Champagne & Carols December 4
Guests from Austin and beyond enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and caroling by the Texas Choral Consort. An annual event, Champagne & Carols is attended by Friends of the Neill-Cochran House Museum who donate at the Cochran Society level or higher. Interested in attending next year?

Board Retreat for VSA Arts December 1
The Board of Directors of VSA arts, an international nonprofit organization founded by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, held a retreat at the Neill-Cochran House Museum. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was created as a society in which people with disabilities can participate in and enrich their lives through the arts. (For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.)

Holiday Decorating November 28
Each year, Friends and Colonial Dames gather to decorate the NCHM for the holidays. For the past three years, the collection of Victorian Christmas decorations has expanded, and in 2007, the Friends donated miniature American flags for the tree and sumptuous magnolia garlands in addition to the dining room vignette. Teenie Hefner, of Old Time Teenie's Antiques & Curious Objects offered antique dolls and other toys to place around the tree. The House also borrowed a 19th-century Father Christmas cloak, belled hat, and homemade flax beard hand made by a family in New Braunfels, Texas, from Mrs. Hefner's collection. A child's sled and rocking horse were donated to the permanent NCHM collection by NSCDA president Ellen Johnson.

On the Radio November 14
kut.org/items/show/10599

Neighborhood Open House November 10
Physical changes and redevelopment in the NCHM's neighborhood west of the University of Texas' forty acres stimulated conversations throughout the neighborhood. On the day of the last home football game of the season, the Neill-Cochran House Museum opened its doors to the neighborhood. With coffee and doughnuts on the porch, visitors indulged their curiosity about the majestic house and discussed opportunities for mutual aid as the neighborhood changes in density and appearance.

Home School Tour October 24

Antiques Tea September 30
Friends of the Neill-Cochran House Museum celebrated the July issue of The Magazine Antiques, which featured the Dames and included a picture of NCHM. In addition to the lavish tea and silent auction, attendees enjoyed a temporary exhibit of period dresses, courtesy of Ann Dupont, University of Texas in Austin Department of Human Ecology.

Smithsonian Museum Day September 29

Austin Museum Day September 23
The Neill-Cochran House Museum welcomed over 200 visitors on Austin Museum Day, sponsored by the Austin Museum Partnership. Re-enactors engaged museum-goers through tatting demonstrations in the front parlor and discussions of Civil War-era medical practice in the upstairs hall. More information here.

Cochran Furniture Summer
Members of the extended Cochran family donated several dozen pieces of historic family furniture to the museum collection for eventual display. In the interim, Director Cecille Marcato designed and installed a modest Cochran exhibition in the upstairs hall. The beautiful pictures have drawn attention from visitors and docents alike, creating much intrigue and anticipation for the future exhibit.

The Magazine Antiques issue "Properties of the NSCDA" July
The Magazine Antiques, a prestigious monthly publication for antiques enthusiasts and collectors, created an entire issue devoted to the properties and furnishings owned and managed by NSCDA state groups across the United States. The Neill-Cochran House Museum received fine coverage and a beautiful photograph on page 82. Copies can be purchased at the NCHM gift shop for $5.00.

Historic Houses of Virginia Study Tour April 19 - 23
20 Friends of the Neill-Cochran House Museum enjoyed gracious hospitality, fine lodging, and an outstanding guide as they explored notable historic house museums and sites in and around Richmond, Virginia. Coinciding with Jamestown's 400th Anniversary Celebration, a trip highlight included a tour of the historic city. Additionally, the group paused to recognize the accomplishments of previous generations of Colonial Dames, who constructed the Memorial Church in recognition of the 300th anniversary of the First Settlement at Jamestown.

French Parlor Reception March 29
The French Parlor was the setting for Texas wine and French music as Colonial Dames and Friends honored Françoise Cachin, Director Emerita of the Orsay Museum in France. Visiting Texas as a guest of the Allbritton Art Institute at Baylor University, Mme. Cachin also enjoyed the Blanton Museum of Art, French Legation and concluded her trip with a visit to the Neill-Cochran House Museum.

Landmark Tea January 31
The Landmark Tea offered interested community members a chance to get involved at NCHM, providing them with information regarding docent education for leading tours of both students and the visiting public. The museum is fortunate to be blessed with a dedicated group of community volunteers who regularly serve as docents. Interested in joining our group of volunteers?

The Neill-Cochran House Museum is owned and maintained by
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Texas