Sizzle Sites: Homestead Heritage at Brazos de Dios

Driving the 100 or so miles to Homestead Heritage at Brazos de Dios in tiny Elm Mott, Texas takes only about an hour and a half. But the journey is more like time travel.

Stepping onto the Homestead is like stepping back in time. The 510-acre homesteading community is a fully self-sufficient farm and traditional crafts village with so many things for families to look at, see and do, it almost takes your breath away.

Six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Homestead’s gorgeously wide-open grounds are open to visitors. During that time, families can watch homesteaders make everything from pottery to musical instruments — there’s even a blacksmith working at a forge just like you’d find on farms back in the 1850s, and a miller grinding grain in a 1750s gristmill.

These are not actors: everyone working on the Homestead lives there as part of a church community. Their religion is openly visible, but “we don’t push it on anyone,” says Homestead spokesman Howard Wheeler. Indeed, the people are warm, friendly and eager to demonstrate their way of life to visitors.

“Families are being pulled in many different directions nowadays and we’re wanting to show people there is an alternative way of life that tends to pull families together instead of that force that pulls families apart,” Mr. Wheeler says.

To that end, the Homestead offers classes in every imaginable craft and farm skill. You have to pre-register for the classes, and most aren’t for kids (although older kids are admitted to some), but if you’re looking to learn how to make candles, or even become a homesteader yourself, this is the place to learn. All classes are taught with hand tools and other “old fashioned” implements, which forces attendees to really learn the basic skills. The results are amazing (check out the furniture in the woodworking shop—absolutely stunning).

The Homestead also is happy to arrange group demonstrations, tours and hands-on activities for mothers’ groups, schools and homeschool co-ops. This is where the place really shines! You have to call ahead to make the necessary arrangements, of course (remember: everyone who “works” here is a volunteer), but when you and the kids arrive you’ll be treated to a sheepdog demonstration, dig-in-the-dirt organic gardening, or myriad other fun activities that are certain to delight even the most hardened city slicker. When you call, be sure to ask which events they’d recommend for your specific group — the homesteaders are used to entertaining kids and have lots of ideas to make your group’s trip both educational and fun.

On Saturdays, the homesteaders hitch up a hay wagon and take visitors on a ride to the Homestead’s amazing overlook of the Brazos River Valley — you can see for 20-to-25 miles! If you go on a weekend, you’ll want to save enough time for this lovely ride.

Over Thanksgiving Weekend, the Homestead throws a family festival you simply must attend — we’ll tell you more about that in November, but in the meantime, pencil in the Homestead Heritage Festival for Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 26-28. Really, do it now. It’s that good.

Getting to Homestead Heritage is easy: just hop on IH-35 and head north; the Homestead is roughly five miles northwest of Waco. It’s a short distance, but a wonderful world away.

If You Go:
Homestead Heritage at Brazos de Dios
Elm Mott, Texas
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Parking and admission are FREE! (except for Thanksgiving Weekend, when parking is $5 per car)
www.HomesteadHeritage.com