We were reminded that that museum is located in the original Marble Falls granite school building, built in 1892. Originally the school was a university that provided housing for young men but overtime women were admitted. However, they could not stay overnight. Overtime the structure was outpaced by newer construction and transformed into an administration building for the Marble Falls ISD.
On May 5, Robyn Richter and Darlene Oostermeyer with the The Falls on the Colorado Museum shared an update on the museum's renovation with the Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary Club.
We were reminded that that museum is located in the original Marble Falls granite school building, built in 1892. Originally the school was a university that provided housing for young men but overtime women were admitted. However, they could not stay overnight. Overtime the structure was outpaced by newer construction and transformed into an administration building for the Marble Falls ISD.
In 2001, the building was donated to the museum by the Marble Falls ISD as a lease. Its 8-foot windows, original wood floors and mortar had fallen into ill-repair over the years. Through robust fundraising efforts, including selling "sponsorships in windows" and shared Marble Falls ISD bond funds, the museum has raised enough funds to address the priority structural concerns and assure the building is renovated in excellence. Restore House, a renovation company specializing in historical building renovations, is overseeing the project and has discounted an excess supply of beautiful Honduran Mahogany that complements the original woodwork. Local craftsman, Rob Oberhause, has assisted with the fabrication of the cabinets.You can visit the Falls on the Colorado Museum Monday-Saturday from 10:00 - 2:00 at 2001 Broadway, Marble Falls, Texas.
On the right, Darlene is showing some of the fine woods that have been obtained for use in the building. The darker one is a mahogany from South America. It was found in a storeroom by the restoration company and has been provided to the Museum at a very attractive price -- much less than the cost of a more ordinary wood.
More about Darlene:
DARLENE FARMER OOSTERMEYER
Darlene was born in Trona, California to parents who were Burnet County natives. She was brought back to Texas as a 2-year old and lived her early years on the Whitman Ranch east of Marble Falls off Hwy 1431.
In 1955, her parents moved to New Braunfels where she grew up in the Comal Independent School District, graduating from Canyon High School in 1967. During high school, she participated in most sports that were available to girls. During this time, 1955-1967, Darlene returned to spend every summer with her grandparents in Marble Falls. It was during these formative years here with her Grandmother Whitman that she fell in love with her family history and the area’s plants and animals.
In 1970, Darlene graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a BS in Physical Education and Biology. In 1973, she completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling & Guidance and Physical Education at SWT.
Darlene taught and coached in New Braunfels and Comal ISD before moving to Odem, TX to be a high school counselor. It was there that Darlene learned about the better-paying oil field. She started her career as an independent Landman in Corpus Christi and ultimately went to work for Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) in various land and oil/gas marketing jobs that took her all over the world. While this may sound as if it was an awesome adventure (it was!), she points out that oil is never found in “paradise’! While stationed in Alaska, she met and married her husband of 38 years, Tom, a drilling engineer.
Upon finishing her land management career with Verizon Wireless, she came home, and brought Tom with her, 26 years ago upon retirement.
Darlene is a master naturalist and specializes in central Texas native plants. Since she lived here during the 1950s drought, she tries to educate whoever will listen about using native plants that are water-wise in our drought-prone environment. She and Tom are surrounded by animals on their acreage!
Darlene has worked with The Falls on the Colorado Museum located in the historic 2-story Granite School Building since 2012. It is her mission to make this museum THE BEST LITTLE MUSEUM IN CENTRAL TEXAS.