Getting started on your Genealogy research can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Thankfully there are many helpful people and resources available to assist you at the Abilene Public Library and via online and digital sources. Watch this brief overlook at getting started and working with Ancestry.com’s system specifically.

It’s #FilmFriday at the end of Summer Heat Week and we wanted to cool off with this beautiful photograph by American photographer, George Krause of this little boy playing in what appears to be water from a fountain in the year 1970 in Philadelphia.

It’s Illustrated Happy Hour and we are talking about FIRE – at least sculpture formed by fire! Check out welding and casting and learn to make a Spicy Paloma cocktail with Cypress Street Station and then paint along at the end!

It’s #WayBackWednesday and this week we are talking about Summer Heat and here in Texas we are feeling that heat this week! Our Summer heat is not a new thing for us and we found these “cool” photos of people cooling off in our neighbor town, Buffalo Gap, around the turn of the century. Buffalo Gap is still a respite for many locals and travelers, alike – with many offerings for recreation, dining, history, and beautiful scenery.

Here’s your special Saturday edition of Illustrated Happy Hour and we are bringing the FASHION to your weekend. Browse The Grace Museum’s rarely-seen but beautiful Folding Fan collection and learn the history of hand fans while enjoying the very fashionable Cosmopolitan cocktail as demonstrated by @Cypress Street Station. Then grab your watercolors and paint along at the end.

We wrap up #FashionWeek with a bonus #FilmFriday look at the vast and beautiful traditional dress of cultures from around the world as featured in the Alice and Bill Wright Photography Collection of the Grace Museum. Many of these photos are documentary in nature, however each photographer captures the spirit of their individual subject(s) beautifully. Join us on this global tour as we celebrate each location’s charm and unique expression through fashion.

The Victorian Era fashion (1837-1901) was a time marked by immense changes in technology and distribution as well as elaborate and creative trends. The mass production of sewing machines in the 1850s and introduction of synthetic dyes in clothing led to more affordable fashions for the middle class. Fashion magazines and distribution also led to the broader distribution of fashionable trends. For women – the Victorian era placed them mostly in domestic roles and their fashion was a representation of their station in society. For men, it seems, facial hair fashions erupted in the late Victorian era as depicted in many of the images on-view at The Grace Museum in the exhibition, Early Photographic Portraits from the Permanent Collection.

It’s #WayBackWednesday during #FashionWeek so we are exploring the current exhibition on-view in the History Gallery on the 3rd floor of The Grace Museum titled WOMEN’S FASHION EVOLUTION: 1900S – 1920S, FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION!

It’s #FilmFriday and today we are featuring ocean images from The Grace Museum photography collection. Originally we selected the classic black and white images but we came across a few beautifully colorful beach scenes that could not be missed!

It’s Tuesday Tea Time and Judy and Sheila are sharing their treasured dinnerware and drinkware collections.

It’s Way Back Wednesday so Kathryn shares her historic GE Home of the Future designed by renowned architect, David S. Castle and Laura shares her vast globe collection.

Enjoy a very TEXAS illustrated happy hour! Take a look at the Grace Museum’s new painting and learn about the artist, Cindi Holt while enjoying a very Texas cocktail (instructions included) and then practice your watercolor skills by illustrating your drink.

Its Way Back Wednesday – part of My Museum at Home week – so get out your watercolors and a cocktail shaker for this new edition of Illustrated Happy Hour! Meet featured artist Ann Ekstrom and her painting, Desert Birds – and learn to make and paint a classic 1920s-30s cocktail – the Commodore. Share your way back wednesday treasures @#mymuseumcollection

In celebration of World Book Day – some of our wonderful Board members volunteered to share their special books!

It’s #FilmFriday! Rebecca shares her photography collection and a quick look at a Kowa SIX medium format camera. Share your special photos, cameras, and memories for #mymuseumathome week and #mymuseumcollection.

It’s Superhero Sunday and Grace Staff are sharing their special Superhero collections and powers!