Changes

Dr. Rae Lee Rode (1922-2011), and his wife, Elizabeth Ann, purchased Buffalo Gap in 1977. The Rodes expanded the site by acquiring more regional historic structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64382707/rae-lee-rode|title=Dr. Rae Lee Rode|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>  When Rode retired from medicine, he offered the village for sale. Through the efforts of the Taylor County Historical Foundation, the village was maintained intact and acquired by the Grady McWhiney Research Foundation. It is operated as a [[non-profit organization|non-profit]] educational facility. The village charges a small admission fee.<ref name=gap>http://www.buffalogap.com/bghistory.html</ref>​

Dr. Rae Lee Rode (1922-2011), and his wife, Elizabeth Ann, purchased Buffalo Gap in 1977. The Rodes expanded the site by acquiring more regional historic structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64382707/rae-lee-rode|title=Dr. Rae Lee Rode|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>  When Rode retired from medicine, he offered the village for sale. Through the efforts of the Taylor County Historical Foundation, the village was maintained intact and acquired by the Grady McWhiney Research Foundation. It is operated as a [[non-profit organization|non-profit]] educational facility. The village charges a small admission fee.<ref name=gap>http://www.buffalogap.com/bghistory.html</ref>​

==Interpretaive theme==​

 

Since 1999, the McWhiney Foundation has developed an interpretive theme for the site. Visitors can learn the history of the last half century of the Texas frontier between 1875 and 1925. They can obtain an understanding of the forces, such as the [[automobile]], that brought change to the region. The village offers special events and lectures. A short book, ''The Texas You Expect: The Story of Buffalo Gap Historic Village'', is now in publication.​<ref name=gap/>​

==Interpretative theme==

Since 1999, the McWhiney Foundation has developed an interpretative theme for the site. Visitors can learn the history of the last half century of the Texas frontier between 1875 and 1925. They can obtain an understanding of the forces, such as the [[automobile]], that brought change to the region. The village offers special events and lectures. A short book, ''The Texas You Expect: The Story of Buffalo Gap Historic Village'', is now in publication.​<ref name=gap/>​

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Buffalo Gap Village offers the public access to the Chautauqua Learning Series. These are monthly lectures based on the Chautauqua movement which spread throughout the [[rural]] United States at the turn of the 20th century. Speakers on the circuit included comedian and folklorist Charles Ross Taggart (1871-1953) and [[William Jennings Bryan]], three-time [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[U.S. President|presidential]] nominee in 1896, 1900, and 1908. A sample lecture is entitled "Victorian Underpinnings: Why Did They Wear That?" about heavy women's clothing in the 19th century.<ref>http://www.buffalogap.com/chautauqua/victorian.html</ref>​

Buffalo Gap Village offers the public access to the Chautauqua Learning Series. These are monthly lectures based on the Chautauqua movement which spread throughout the [[rural]] United States at the turn of the 20th century. Speakers on the circuit included comedian and folklorist Charles Ross Taggart (1871-1953) and [[William Jennings Bryan]], three-time [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[U.S. President|presidential]] nominee in 1896, 1900, and 1908. A sample lecture is entitled "Victorian Underpinnings: Why Did They Wear That?" about heavy women's clothing in the 19th century.<ref>http://www.buffalogap.com/chautauqua/victorian.html</ref>​