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Photos of 1999 Annual Meeting Click on thumbnail pictures to see full size photos.
(Digital photos courtesy of
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Our 60th Family Reunion! by Wayne E. Nelson
Sheldon's gathered at the Hilton Inn and Towers in Austin, Texas on August 20-21, 1999, for the 60th Sheldon Annual Meeting and Reunion, the first ever held West of the Mississippi. President Bruce Robertson and his wife, Suzanne, hosted a dinner for the Board at the hotel on Thursday evening, August 19. Board members and spouses then motored to Mt. Bonnell for a violet-tinged sunset over Lake Austin and Westlake Hills from the most scenic and one of the highest points in the city limits (785 feet above sea level). The Congress Avenue Bridge, home to 1.5 million bats, could be seen across the valley (we were at a safe distance). The Board then held its meeting at the spacious home of the Robertson's. The home has commanding and breath-taking views of the surrounding hills. After the Board meeting, members were transported back to the hotel.
On Friday morning, August 20, we caught the Number 15 bus downtown to the Old Bakery and Emporium on Congress Avenue just down from the State Capitol. The Old Bakery is housed in an 1876 structure that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Lundeberg Bakery occupied the building until 1936. Recently restored, its gift shop, confectionery and hospitality desk welcomed Sheldon's to Austin. A short walk took us to the Governor's Mansion, current home of Governor George W. Bush, for a docent-guided tour of the house and grounds. The mansion has been occupied by every Texas governor since 1856 and has undergone several renovations, most recently in 1979-1982. The mansion is filled with19th century antiques. One of the most interesting collections is the heirlooms presented to the Texas Governor's Mansion on behalf of every First Family to have lived in the house. After a tour of the house and gardens, SFA President Bruce Robertson presented to an aide of Governor Bush a greeting signed by all attending Sheldon's. The next stop was the State Capitol. Dedicated in May, 1888, the Sunset Red granite Capitol cost more than $3.7 million to build and was returned to its 1888-1915 appearance by an extensive renovation during 1990-1995. An underground Capitol Extension was added to relieve serious overcrowding. Our tour began in the massive ground floor rotunda and included both chambers of the legislature and the Supreme Court courtroom. An interesting feature were the portraits of the Presidents of the Republic and Governors of the State that circled the four public levels of the rotunda. After a delightful lunch in the gleaming cafeteria, we headed to the Texas State Library and Archives Building, admiring the many memorials and statues along the way. Some Sheldon's headed for the Genealogy Collection, some searched the Archives and others headed back to the hotel. This was free-time when one could do research, shop at the nearby Mall, or simply relax. On Friday evening, Sheldon's gathered in the Elm Room of the Hilton Hotel for a Texan Fajita Feast Buffet. After a delicious dinner, SFA President Robertson presided over the annual business meeting. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved; the Treasurer's report was read and approved; a report from the Genealogist was delivered; the nominating committee report was read and adopted (all incumbents were re-elected); and a report was made on the sale of Sheldon publications. Weary from a busy but interesting schedule, Sheldon's called it a day and headed to their rooms for a peaceful rest. Saturday, August 21 dawned as a beautiful and exciting day for Sheldon's. The main event was a seminar sponsored by the Austin Genealogical Society at the Highland Park Baptist Church featuring Myra Vanderpool Gormley as guest lecturer. Ms. Gormley presented four lectures, "Netting Your Ancestors on the World Wide Web," "If it Please the Court," "Finding/Identifying your Immigrant Ancestors," and "Getting Your Ox Out of the Ditch." The lectures were informative and entertaining. Several Sheldon's won door prizes. Sheldon's not attending the seminar were treated to a tour of Austin by the Robertson's. The reunion ended with a seated dinner and photo opportunity. The after dinner speaker was David Baskin of the Texas State Library and Archives. Mr. Baskin offered tips on deciphering old hand-writing. As has become the tradition, the meeting closed with Sheldon's joining hands and singing "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." Special thanks to our hosts Bruce and Suzanne Robertson. They put together an interesting, educational and inexpensive program that served as a platform for fellowship by bringing Sheldon's together for this historic meeting.
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