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Wanda Mauldin, Great, great granddaughter of Dr Joseph and Sarah Pound, unveils the marker.
Friends of the Pound House Foundation officers Sue Rae Johns, Treasurer, Betty Meyer, President Emeritus and Jeanne Polk, President, serve up refreshments in the museum.
A new historical marker was unveiled at the Pound House Farmstead in Founders’ Memorial Park on Saturday, Nov. 15 in a small ceremony that included local leaders and descendants of the Pound family.
It replaces Historical Marker #10312, which was installed on Mercer St. in 1965, and was moved to the Pound House Farmstead a few years ago. That marker included several inaccuracies.
The Friends of the Pound House Foundation applied to the Texas Historical Commission for a Marker Review in hopes that it would be eligible for replacement due to those errors. Marie Bassett, a former Pound House Farmstead docent, collections committee member, and Hays County Historical Commission Marker Chair, wrote the application. This new marker was granted at no cost by the Texas Historical Commission.
At the unveiling, Brian Sherman, Dripping Springs Methodist Church, gave the prayer, and the colors were posted by VFW Post 2933 of Dripping Springs. Alex Dormont sang the National Anthem.
Zebulon Long, a descendent of Dr. Joseph and Sarah Pound, read the marker text, and Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr. shared some history. Wanda Mauldin, great granddaughter of Dr. Joseph and Sarah Pound, unveiled the new marker.
The Pound House and Farmstead dates back to 1854, when Dr. Joseph McKeaig Pound and his wife Sarah Dunbibben Ward moved to the area, settling on a 700-acre tract of land. They had nine children, and lived in a two-room log cabin on the property.
“Being one of the original families to settle Dripping Springs, the Pounds portrayed the qualities that I feel are important for everyone, namely self-reliance, courage, pragmatism, perseverance and a deep faith in God,” Jeanne Polk, President of the Friends of the Pound House Foundation, said. “They not only provided healthcare to the growing community, but they also held church services in their home, educated children, and provided a place for community gatherings.”
Four generations occupied the Pound House Farmstead over a period of 130 years, until 1983. The farmstead was restored and opened as a museum in 2003. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The fact that the town still has an actual place to visit and see that history first hand is invaluable,” Polk said.
Polk invited local residents and visitors to attend Christmas at the Pound House on Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn more about that important history. She said the Pound House, like many other nonprofits, is really struggling financially, and this event is critical to their operations.
“We continue to rely on the generosity of donors, our admission and rental revenue and any grants we are able to secure,” Polk said.
The Pound House Farmstead and Museum is the only farmstead left from the original founding families of Dripping Springs, and it is the only museum in Dripping Springs. For additional information, to make a donation, or to find out more about Christmas at the Pound House, visit www.phfmuseum.org.
