The day after Christmas is Boxing Day, an official holiday in much of the British Commonwealth and this is the 16th year Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will celebrate Boxing Day with an open house from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m’
Ranger Lil Morava says the tradition of Boxing Day was brought to the historic Agate Ranch, which included what is now the monument, by Dorothy Meade….the great-granddaughter of pioneer homesteader Captain James Cook…and her husband Grayson.
They had celebrated it while living and working in Canada and when they moved back to the ranch, they began inviting friends and neighbors over for visiting and relaxing the day after Christmas.
Morava says music was a big part of Cook family gatherings at the ranch as many members of the family played or play at least one instrument, so music with the Green Valley Homesteaders will be the centerpiece of today’s open house.
The open house also features a pair of special temporary exhibits related to the Agate Springs Ranch.
One features the mounted skeleton of a Stenomylus, tiny gazelle-camel, that Grayson Meade excavated in 1942 on part of what is now the Monument, and an oil painting of the Stenomylus in their habitat some 20 million years ago done by Professor Langefeld, a friend of the Meades.
Morava says the condition of the fossil is excellent and shows an almost complete animal in situ or exactly as it was found by Meade, while the painting puts the fossil into perspective. Both were donated by the Meade family and will be on display in the main room of the visitor center through the end of the year.
The other exhibit is a series of photographs of the Agate Springs Ranch house and grounds by Mel Flick, a professional photographer from Mitchell.
Morava says Flick captured angles and shadows that emphasize some lesser known views of the Agate Springs Ranch. The exhibit is displayed in the upstairs hallway for visitors to view as they enjoy refreshments.
Craft materials are available to make ornaments to take home or to hang on the Agate tree while refreshments for the open house are provided by the Oregon Trail Museum Association…which is also discounting all bookstore items 15%.
Morava also encourages guests to bring along canned goods to help others, but says one of the best parts about Boxing Day is just reminiscing about special holiday memories and enjoying a relaxing winter afternoon.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is about midway between Harrison and Mitchell along Highway 29. The visitor center is 3 miles east of the highway.