Montgomery Historical Society Turns 70

MONTGOMERY, TX -- The Montgomery Historical Society turned 70 years old this past Saturday, as members and invited guests celebrated with an Ice Cream Social, on the same grounds where the MHS was birthed many decades ago, on the lawn of the Magnolia House in Historic Montgomery. The house is the former home of Anna Weisinger, and founder of the historical society. It was in April 1954, that Ms. Anna, who passed away in 2005, held an ice cream social to get the society started, and offered the house as the first home to tour that spring. Another home followed in 1955, and others in subsequent years. The Tour of Homes now is on the second Saturday in December, in conjunction with Christmas in Historic Montgomery.

Frank Tamberello, the home’s current owner, welcomed all to his property, as ice cream, small cakes, floats, and other drinks were provided to all the event goers. It was also the 170th anniversary of the Magnolia House itself. Ms. Anna, and her husband Raymond, had just finished restoration of the home for its 100th anniversary in 1954, when they got the idea to begin a historical society to preserve the older homes of Historical Montgomery. The MHS has since broadened the scope of its mission to include Voices of the Past, a living history day of volunteers who reenact Montgomery citizens from the founding of the city in 1837. They also provide reenactors to various groups throughout the year.

“I am pleased to accept this Proclamation from Mayor Sanford and The City,” said Billy Ray Duncan, President of the Montgomery Historical Society. “It’s hard to believe how far our little town has come, as we have still maintain Montgomery’s history, and continue to discover new facts such as the location of a trading post just north of town.”

Duncan spoke to the guests about Raymond and Anna Weisinger, and how they influenced the early years of the historical society, while Magnolia House owner, Frank Tamborello provided a short history on the home and grounds.

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