Description

Mason known as the “Gem of the Hill Country” and the only place in Texas where you can find Texas Topaz in nature. The city is located on the western side of the Hill Country and is an extremely agriculturally based town located on Comanche Creek. Mason residents take pride in their German heritage. Out first stop of the day will be for a tour of the Seaquist House. This historic mansion formally owned by the Seaquist family is the oldest standing mansion in Texas. The mansion sat empty for ten years, until 2015, when it was purchased by the Seaquist House Foundation for restoration as a Texas Historical Site. The house received a Texas State historical marker in 1974 and was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The house is three stories with a basement. This house is not ADA compatible. For those who cannot do stairs, they have a computer program that gives the history of the house as well shows every room in the house and tells about the two families that lived there. After the house tour we will take a break and go to lunch at the Willow Creek Cafe. Following lunch we will stop and visit the Mason Square Museum. The museum brings history alive with chronological displays ranging from prehistoric times. Feature displays of Fort Mason, the Mason County “Hoodoo” War in 1877, Indian captives, the early German Colonists, geology, and archaeology. Our last stop of the day with be Fort Mason where we meet our docent that will tell us about Fort Mason. The fort was the last U.S. Army Command of Robert E. Lee. Cost includes motor coach transportation, lunch, admission fees and tips.