GRAPEVINE, Texas — Pack your picnic blankets and prepare for an evening of old-fashioned charm as Historic Nash Farm hosts a delightful Victorian-themed event featuring ice cream, lawn games, and traditional heritage music under the Texas sunset.
Set for Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 7 p.m., this enchanting evening promises to transport visitors back to simpler times at one of Tarrant County’s most treasured historical sites. The $10 admission includes access to all activities and ice cream provided by Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Premium Ice Cream from Grapevine.
“There’s something magical about enjoying ice cream and traditional games in the same spot where Texas pioneers once lived and worked,” said event organizers. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, quilts, and picnic items to fully embrace the nostalgic atmosphere as heritage musicians provide the perfect soundtrack to the evening.
A Sweet Partnership
The event features ice cream from Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, a beloved local institution that recently expanded to Grapevine. The Denton-based company, which has been crafting premium ice cream since 2003, serves more than 40 flavors at their new Grapevine location in the former Buzzed Bull Creamery space.
Beth Marie’s premium ice cream contains 14% butterfat and offers an impressive rotating menu from their collection of more than 150 flavors. The company produces ice cream in their Denton factory, which can churn out 50 pounds every 15 minutes. Their pints are available in Central Market stores throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and they operate 10 licensed locations across Texas.
The business was originally founded by Dr. Randy Cox and his wife Beth—the namesake of the company—and has been owned by the current group since 2003. With locations in Denton, Corinth, Carrollton, and now Grapevine, Beth Marie’s has become synonymous with quality homemade ice cream in North Texas.
Historic Setting Rich with Texas Heritage
Nash Farm provides the perfect backdrop for this Victorian celebration, steeped in fascinating Texas history that dates back to the Republic of Texas era. The farm was purchased by Thomas Jefferson Nash in 1859, and the original 1869 farmhouse still stands today as a testament to early Texas settlers.
Nash Farm is Tarrant County’s oldest operating farmstead, and today encompasses 5.2 acres of the original property, including Thomas Nash’s house, barn, and the family cemetery. Thomas Jefferson Nash, originally from Kentucky, settled his family on a 450-acre farmstead on the Grape Vine Prairie, creating a legacy that continues to educate visitors about pioneer life on the Texas frontier.
Grapevine’s Remarkable History
The city of Grapevine itself holds the distinction of being the oldest settlement in Tarrant County, established in 1844 during the final year of the Republic of Texas. The settlement was named Grape Vine due to its location on Grape Vine Prairie near Grape Vine Springs, both names honoring the wild grapes that grew abundantly in the area.
The first permanent Anglo settlement was known as the “Missouri Colony,” established in 1844 when a group of related families from Platte County, Missouri, settled along Denton Creek as part of the Peters Colony.
Perhaps most remarkably, one year before Grapevine’s founding, General Sam Houston met with representatives of 10 Native American Nations at Grape Vine Springs, where they signed the Treaty of Bird’s Fort in 1843. This historic peace agreement opened the region for settlement and marked a pivotal moment in Texas history.
Victorian Fun for All Ages
The evening’s Victorian lawn games will transport guests to an era when entertainment was simpler but no less enjoyable. Traditional games popular during the late 1800s—the same period when the Nash farmhouse was built—will be available for families to enjoy together.
The combination of heritage music, historic setting, and old-fashioned games creates an authentic atmosphere that allows visitors to experience a taste of what leisure time might have looked like for Texas families in the Victorian era. As the sun sets over the same prairie that Thomas Nash once farmed, guests can imagine the sounds of laughter and music that would have filled similar evenings more than 150 years ago.
Planning Your Visit
Nash Farm is located at 626 Ball Street in the heart of historic Grapevine, making it easily accessible for visitors. The $10 admission fee supports the ongoing preservation and programming at this important historical site, ensuring future generations can continue to learn about Texas pioneer life.
Overflow parking is available for the event, and organizers encourage early arrival to fully enjoy the pre-sunset activities. The informal, family-friendly atmosphere makes it perfect for all ages, from curious children learning about Texas history to adults who appreciate the charm of bygone days.
For more information about the Victorian Evening event, contact the Visitor Information Center at 817.410.3185 or email [email protected].
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, ice cream lover, or simply looking for a unique family outing, this Victorian evening at Nash Farm promises to be a sweet journey back in time. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic supplies, and appetite for both delicious ice cream and fascinating Texas history.
Nash Farm is open daily for self-guided tours, with special events scheduled throughout the year celebrating life on the Texas prairie.
