Down a long hallway in our rural home is an area we’re really proud of and it is noticed immediately by visitors. It is a collection of thirteen (13) framed Christmas ornaments, all with a Texas theme. The Texas theme comes into play because each ornament depicts a certain area of the Texas State Capitol.
It’s a collection. Some of us collect different things, we collect the Texas Christmas ornaments each year.
Here is the description from the website on this year’s ornament: “Number 13 in the series, this remarkably intricate Capitol Ornament replicates the central rotunda’s impressive terrazzo floor design. In celebration of the 1936 Texas Centennial, terrazzo flooring was installed throughout the first level of the Capitol. Positioned at the center of the immense rotunda floor is the Great Seal of The Republic of Texas, surrounded by the six seals of the sovereign nations that have governed all or parts of Texas. It is breathtaking when viewed from the fourth floor Rotunda Gallery.”
I’ve been up on the 4th floor looking down and it is indeed a great sight to see. All Texans from all places can be proud of this collection.
Here’s one from year before this one: “Number twelve in the series, this distinctive Capitol Ornament highlights the intricate detailing of the designs found in the glass transoms, door panels, and skylights throughout the interior of the monumental Capitol Building. These designs are among the original architectural drawings produced by E.E. Myers in the late 1880′s. The 19th Century glass decorating process used involved etching with hydrofluoric acid, and was often referred to as “embossed” glass.”
We have the Goddess of Texas Liberty ornament framed in our hallway also. I believe it is #11 in the series. When the State Capitol was refurbished a few years ago, it took a National Guard helicopter to put Texas Goddess of Liberty back on her perch atop the capitol. Wonder how she got up there in 1888?
This collection also includes depictions of the capitol dome looking up 200′, the capitol gates as your approach from Congress Avenue, the elegant custom door hinges inside the capitol, and a replica drawing of the Capitol by the architect.
If you want a great heirloom collection, something to pass on, here it is just waiting for you. If memory serves me, it was Mrs. Pete Laney who came up with the original idea while her husband served as Speaker of the Texas house. Pete is a good guy, from Hale Center, and I’ve talked with him on a number of occasions back when we were both “somebody.” Mrs. Laney has created a lasting collection for us and many more who value all things Texan.
How do you get your collection started? Go to the Texas Museum Store at the Bob Bullock State History Museum, find Texas Capitol Ornaments, and you can order them for around $18 plus shipping. We then go to a great frame shop (Southland Frame in San Angelo or your local frame shop) and have it professionally framed and the whole thing ends up costing a smooth $100 bill or so. Glad we got started a long time ago and don’t have to catch up too much. Of course, you can also just hang them on the tree and not have the expense of framing them. For a great Texas themed collection, you can’t go wrong with Texas State Capitol Ornaments.
Yes, it’s all a Texas thang, ya’ll.
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I’ll have to check out the collection. I like this years, it looks really nice. I would imagine that in 1888, they used an intricate system of pulleys and block and tackle. I’m picturing in my head a wild Texas style frame built of Mesquite and Cedar poles for the block and tackle to hang from.