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Friends of the Sam Bell Maxey Historic Site

An interesting and beneficial organization in Paris, Texas, is the Friends of the Sam Bell Maxey Historic Site, now the property of the Texas Historical Commission, and I am currently serving the first of a two-year term as president of the Friends. The House is currently undergoing an extensive restoration process, having deteriorated to a degree during the lengthy hiatus between ownership by Texas Parks & Wildlife and the new owners, hereinafter known as the THC. The Friends have soldiered on during this difficult transition period, but are happy to see the lawns manicured once again under the able work of George Harder and see the architects at work accessing the damage to the house which must be addressed and repaired before painting.

Our Friends board consists of the following: Daisy Harvill, President; Jeanette Bender, Phyllis Bryan, Secretary; Carl Covert; Judy Gibbons, Treasurer; Martha Stephens; Betty Ann Entzminger; Brady Fisher;
Judy Martin; Armand Frank; Caroleen Thornton; George Kimbrough; Laura Carrington, Vice President; Arvin Starrett; Devon Mason; and honorary members, Dr. and Mrs. William deG. Hayden.

Members of the Friends receive a free tour of the Maxey House during the year of active membership and a 10% discount of book store purchases. The book store is to be located in the offices which are now housed in the former book store that was once operated by the Friends, but is now operated by THC. An individual membership is $10; a family membership is $25; an organization or small business is $50; and a corporate membership is $100. Members also get an informative newsletter, “Generally Speaking,” published twice a year. The fall issue will feature an article on women of the Maxey family, written by Amanda Reed, who has done extensive research in Aikin Archives, as well as the Maxey House records.

Memberships may be mailed to Daisy Harvill at 2255 E. Cherry St. #12, Paris TX 75460, or Judy Gibbons, 595 Laurel Lane, Paris TX 75460. Money raised by the Friends is used exclusively to assist the governing entity of the Maxey House (now the THC) with expenses. Projects pending include a donation to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial in honor of U. S. Senator Sam Bell Maxey, who served in the War with Mexico; a contribution toward the possible acquisition of adjacent land for a driveway and parking space; and a future film production of the house to be used in numerous ways to promote the site.

The public is invited to an event sponsored by the Friends in the Parlor at the House on August 20 at 6 p.m. Patsy Davis (Mrs. Norman Davis) will show a DVD tour through the Lamar County Historical Museum. Light refreshments will be served afterward, and Friends memberships will be available to all who are interested. All Friends and prospective Friends are invited to come and bring a friend.

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