On Sunday May 18, People Gathered for a Pig Roast at the Haskell House to Celebrate Creation of the Unique Hezikiah Haskell House Heritage Garden
The brainchild of Kurt Schmidt, a member of the Clarksville Community Garden and a Haskell House docent, the mission of the Hezikiah Haskell House Heritage Garden is to provide a tangible glimpse into the lives and self-reliance of the formerly enslaved people who lived in the early Texas Freedom Colony of Clarksville. Through the growth of the same in the early Texas Freedom Colony of Clarksville. Through the growth of the same kinds of nourishing vegetables that families probably raised, it’s hoped that the Garden will help deepen people’s understanding of what life in Clarksville was like.
The City’s Parks and Recreation department created an interpretive sign for the Heritage Garden. And, there are signs in the Garden identifying each vegetable growing there.
Chef Jason Cruz, with the acclaimed Austin restaurant Canje, prepared the food for the pig roast. In addition to roast pig, black eyed peas (in a modified Hoppin‘ John style), grilled okra and traditional corn pone (aka hoe cakes) were served up.
Although there was no charge for the food, event attendees were encouraged to donate $12/person. All donations were for the Haskell House.
At the pig roast, Kurt Schmidt made welcoming remarks and talked about his vision for the Heritage Garden. Also, Barry Rivera, Senior Programs Manager with the Austin Parks Foundation, explained why his organization decided to help fund the Heritage Garden project.
From left to right:
Kurt Schmidt, Founder of the Hezikiah Haskell Heritage Garden; Clara Boxton, Florence Griffin, Cecilia Glasco, Elsie Glasco Jones — descendants of Hezikiah Haskell; and Barry Rivera, Senior Programs Manager, Austin Parks Foundation
