Keepers of history in the Wimberley Valley

Sometimes it is easy to see that history is in the making. In 20, 50 or maybe 100 years, museums might just have a plaque for the year 2020 with a mask fittingly draped across the front. Who knows, maybe there will be an exhibit at the Wimberley Valley Museum of how residents dealt with necessary activities during the year. Masks, social distancing and lockdowns are all a part of today’s reality. These are extraordinary times, and that is how history is made.

But all is not doom and gloom. Whenever the all clear is given and things can be the new, new normal, Wimberley Institute of Cultures will be at the forefront of social activities in the valley again. But until then, the Winters-Wimberley house and the Wimberley Valley Museum is open on Friday and Saturdays by appointment.

They have quite a few activities, and it seems like there is one for each month. Not being able to have any has hurt, but yearly dues and the Board of Directors each will roll over for 2021.

“Hopefully in March, might be May or September, we’ll try to get back to normalcy, but safely. First though is the River Blessing in May or June for members and guests. The river is so important to the Wimberley Valley,” Mike Thibodeaux, President of WIC said. He continued.

“The Pie Social might happen in September or October. Someone mentioned ‘what about the summer?’ And the ladies said ‘no, they’ll melt.’ Proving that the ladies are smarter than we are.”

Pies are judged and auc tioned, music plays and the entire community turns out to eat some good pie and socialize with friends and neighbors. Enjoying the sun and weather after the winter is always a harbinger of the spring and summer seasons.

Another event is the annual historical tour of Wimberley, given each year to fourth graders of area schools and visiting sites of Wimberley history, including the old mill and other sites of interest.

“We’ll have some social events, just knowing when we’ll be able to do it, according to the CDC, local officials, the Health Department that we can have a large social event,” Thibodeaux said.

Funds from the events go to a good cause, including for high school scholarships, open to both WHS and KAPS. The scholarships are named for Bill Johnson, one of the founders of WIC and known for his generosity, wit, friendship and love of the Wimberley Valley and community.

“The scholarship applications are impressive, not only their grades, but for their volunteer choices, sorting clothes for Goodwill, volunteering at Deer Creek. They volunteer at hospitals and nonprofits. They volunteer at Market Days and raise funds for charities… They’re doing things for people and not themselves.”

Other events that WIC holds are the Harvest Moon Dance, Fireside Dinner in December and day tours to area museums and events. It is an organization that preserves and protects the history of the valley, including the Winters-Wimberley House, housing the museum.

Now that the museum is open and hosts exhibits, there are always maintenance fees involved, but future projects include the restoration of a Buck Winn’s panel of “History of Ranching” and landscaping of the surrounding facility.

For more information on WIC, the museum or the history of Wimberley, see their website at wimwic.org

Museum Hours: Friday-11a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday-10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

To request an appointment please email your request email: [email protected]

phone: call or text John Poe at 832-545-5036