The Annual Heritage Syrup Festival takes place on November 8 this year in Henderson featuring the folk tradition of syrup making and other activities that offer a nostalgic peek at days of old. The celebration of gooey goodness draws roughly 30,000 visitors to the Depot Museum grounds and historic downtown Henderson, the official “Syrup Capital of Texas.”
The Depot Museum at 514 N. High Street features heritage demonstrations and artisan goods on its five-acre historic grounds while Henderson’s Main Street district offers a street fair along 12 city blocks with a variety of modern goods and street foods.
Just one acre of sugarcane produces 500 to 600 gallons of syrup. A week before the festival the museum purchases 2,000 of the sweet stalks in preparation. The volunteer syrup-making team uses traditional methods and equipment. Some educate the public and explain the process which begins by feeding the stalks of sugarcane into a crusher. A mule powers the crusher by walking in a wide circle known as the crushing mill sweep.
After crushing, the cane juice flows through a pipe and travels below the ground to a pump a few yards away. A fire fighter feeds the stove with kindling to keep the flames hot while the cane juice flows gradually into a large copper pan. Volunteers use long-handled paddles to skim pieces of stalk and push the juice while it cooks slowly.
The cooking thickens the juice to a tenth of its original volume, making one gallon of syrup for every 10 gallons of cane juice. After cooking, the syrup is removed from the pan and allowed to cool, then canned in metal pails. Syrup is available for purchase inside the museum all year long.
Shawn Markman demonstrates candle making at the Heritage Syrup Festival. Photo by Phedra Johnson
Syrup making is just one of many folk arts at the annual festival. Visitors can see demonstrations by blacksmiths, broom makers, spinners, and flintknappers, who make arrowheads. Storytellers and folk musicians perform on the grounds where there’s also an antique tractor and engine show.
The Depot Museum grounds include 12 or more historic structures. Some are open the day of the festival, including the Beall Ross House, an operating print shop and a saw mill, cotton gin, and carousel. A Native American teepee, the Walling cabin, the Arnold Outhouse, an old saw mill, a train caboose, an oil derrick, and an old dry goods store are also on display.
The festival’s Main Street portion of the day includes activities with arts and crafts booths, retail vendor booths, food, antique and classic car exhibits, musical entertainment, cloggers and square dancers, and the Howard Dickinson House and Museum. Children’s activities include pony rides, face painting, and inflatables such as bounce houses and slides.
Admission for syrup making at the Depot Museum is $3 for adults, $1 for children, and free for veterans. There is no admission charge to the downtown events. For information visit www.visithendersontx.com or call (866) 650-5529.
For more information about the Depot Museum and adjoining Children’s Discovery Center, visit www.depotmuseum.com. Call (903) 657-4303 to confirm availability of outdoor tours.
