About Us

Docent Bios

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The Dixie Belle Dulcimers docents comprise a group of ladies who met as members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Their love of genealogy, history and music made them a group of friends as well. They are Beverly Plante, Melba Sanders, Margaret Phillips, Paula Bonner and Margaret Daniels. A couple of them knew how to play the dulcimers and the other three were so intrigued that they began to take lessons themselves. Since that time, they have made their period clothing, learned the instrument and the history of the songs sung during the mid 19th century. They have performed for churches, community events, conventions, libraries and the Texas Civil War Museum. Although they are considered officially retired, they work full time in various volunteer positions. When asked what they enjoyed about the Texas Civil War Museum the response was an enthusiastic “we love being in such a fantastic place with so many fine artifacts. It is very meaningful for us. We love sharing the gift of music to the children and interacting with visitors from all over the world. We hope everyone will be able to visit this museum.”

John wears many hats at the TCWM. Some are infantry and some are artillery, but he also is the Resident Historian and works at the front desk. He is a human encyclopedia concerning the Civil War and will share his knowledge with the guests that come to the museum seeking such knowledge. John's family were some of the first residents in Euless, Texas and Northeast Tarrant County has always been his home. He is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution. He remembers talking with some of his grandfathers and uncles who fought in the war. He says he has been involved in the hobby since he fought at the Battle of Chickamauga--(but really since the Centennial Anniversary of the War Between the States.) John was recruited to work at the museum after retiring from the printing industry. One of his favorite things about being with the TCWM is getting to be the official book reviewer and reading the latest books coming from the printing presses. Look for Johnny Reb's reviews under the education tab.

Doug began Harman Consulting after retiring as President and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau and as the City Manager of Fort Worth. He is a consultant, writer and public speaker on a variety of related industry topics. He has degrees in Political Science and a PhD in Urban Administration from the American University and was awarded "Certified Destination Management Executive" by the University of Calgary, Purdue University and the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He is a member and/or holds offices in the Tarrant County Historical Commission, THC Lakes Trail, Texas Trail of Fame, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Trails Committee, Log Cabin Heritage Foundation, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Fort Worth Aviation Heritage, Van Zandt Cottage, Texas Association of Museum and Sister City. He has written more than 60 published articles appearing in professional journals as well as developed a number of museum exhibits on Texas, Fort Worth and Western heritage topics. For his efforts he has received numerous awards such as: Cowtown Legend, Legacy, Community Builder, Tall in Texas, American Spirit, and Leadership Fellow. Doug enjoys working at the museum because he loves history, artifacts and being with people.

Cindy grew up in Bellmead, Texas and currently resides in Colleyville, Texas. She is part of the Daughters of American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Dallas Southern Memorial, Grady McWhiney Research Foundation, Texas Association of Museums, National Charity League, First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth and numerous other organizations and associations. After growing up with a history minded family who took her to visit the sites and study family history her love for Civil War history took off. Over the past 25 years she has been actively involved in her hobby and involvement with things concerning the Civil War. Cindy is currently the Director of Communication and Education, Texas Civil War Museum. Cindy was a secondary teacher with Arlington ISD for 16 years before becoming a mother of triplets. She worked as a Major Gifts Officer for Baylor University Development prior to coming to work at the Texas Civil War Museum. She attended Baylor University for her undergraduate work and as a graduate student attended the University of North Texas receiving a certificication in history. She is the past president of the Texas Association of Museums Trustees, Emeritus Texas Confederate Museum Board of Trustees, Founding Officer for the Texas and Southwestern Collectors Association and past Vice President of the Texas Historical Foundation.

Peter grew up a military brat and live primarily in different parts of the Northeast. He now lives in west Fort Worth and is part of many organizations including the Gettysburg Foundation and several Civil War units. His interest in the Civil War began in second grade when he memorized the Gettysburg Address. More recently, in 1993, he began Civil War reenacting in Massachusetts and has participated in national and local events ever since. As a retired navy logistics specialist and aviation storekeeper, he now enjoys being able to invest more time in his Civil War hobbies. His favorite parts about working at the museum are talking with the children and visitors as well as musing through the ever changing galleries.

Paul grew up in Fort Worth and now resides in Grand Prairie. He is a part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and became interested in the Civil War 7 years ago after attending the premier of the movie “Gods and Generals.”

His favorite part about working at the Texas Civil War Museum is interacting with the people and getting the opportunity to work around all the artifacts at the museum. Paul is a proud descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier, a veteran in the War for Texas Independence, and a Confederate Veteran.

Michael is married to Karen McKinney and has two children and 5 grandchildren. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved to Texas at the age of 8. Since then he lived one year in Shreveport and one year in Montgomery Alabama before settling back in Fort Worth. He is a member of the Air force Association (Life Member), National Guard Association of the US (Life Member), National Guard Association of Texas, (Life Member) Military Officers Association, USO, 136th AW Silver Eagles Association, American Legion; Kimball Art Museum; Alumni Associations of Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington. Michael's love for Civil War history was encouraged by his father who was a history buff. His great-great grandfather is buried just outside Bossier City Louisiana. His gravestone indicated he was a member of the 59th Alabama Infantry, Confederate States of America. Reconstructing his Civil War service has really advanced Michael's interest in the War. He has been actively involved in Civil War reenacting for most of his adult life, and enjoys studying the Civil War and visiting battlefields. When stationed in Washington, D.C, his intrest really increased in Civil War history. So many battles were fought within 100 miles of Washington, and Mike visited as many as possible. For nearly 40 years of his working life he was in the service of his country first in the US Navy and then the US Air Force. He had 15 years of reserve time and 25 years of active duty. After retiring in 1999 and moving back to Texas, he taught for 11 years for Northwood University in Accounting and taught a course in the History of the Civil War. Now he is retired.

Berta grew up in central California and now resides in Weatherford, TX. She is a member of the CWCT and has been active in living history since 1996 after meeting her husband who was a reenactor. An accomplished seamstress, she now owns and operates Kozzy Korner Sutlery after retiring as a production manager for a machine shop. She enjoys volunteering at the museum because she enjoys talking with the people who come and visit.

Frank grew up in Washington, PA and Cleveland, Ohio and now lives in Weatherford, TX. He belongs to the Civil War Center of TX. After becoming interested in history, he began reenacting with the First US Infantry in 1993. He most enjoys interacting with the children while volunteering at the museum.

Glenda has lived in McKinney and Collin, Texas all her life. She is part of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Chestnut Square Living Historians, Collin County History Center, Ladies of the South Reenacting Group, Ladies of the South West, and Civil War Women. After joining the UDC, her love for history developed and she became actively involved in the hobbies involving the Civil War which she has been involved in for 18 years. Currently, she works as a Sales, Beauty Control Cosmetics consultant, and part owner of Josh’s Auto Paint Body Shop in McKinney, Texas. Her favorite part about working at the museum is meeting all the great children and adults and bringing history to life.

David is a life long Arlington native. He is active with the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the 15th Tx Cavalry and the Trans Mississippi Medical Corps. He is married with two children and one granddaughter. What he enjoys most about teaching at the museum is talking with the guests about the history of the War Between the States.

Dennis Partrich was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Currently, he and his wife live in Burleson, TX. Dennis holds a Phd from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaches both there and at Dallas Baptist University as well as serving as Director of Singles Ministry at Cana Baptist Church. Having always been interested in history it was easy for Dennis to join the living history hobby after watching the Ken Burn's series on PBS and researching his great-great grandfather who was a soldier in the 43rd Alabama Volunteers. He wanted to do more than just read about the lasting impact the war had on his home state; he wanted to experience the sights, sounds and feel of the period so he joined as the Fighting Parson of the 36th Texas Cavalry reenactment unit. He enjoys interacting with the visitors at the museum and sharing information about the period.

In everyday life people know Gary M. Rozzell as a Texas State Trooper, but at the Texas Civil War Museum he is a soldier with the 7th Texas Cavalry. Gary grew up in the middle of Civil War history having lived in Brookhaven Mississippi and Butler, Alabama, having thoroughly explored all of the nearby battlefields as a boy scout before moving to Vernon, Texas. He now calls Mineral Wells home. Twenty-two years ago he began his living history career portraying a soldier in the Texas Revolution, but soon expanded to include the Civil War era. Gary was in the Army and flew UH-IH helicopters in Vietnam as a warrant officer. He started his law enforcement career in 1975. He is married to Kathy and together they have a son, daughter and five grandchildren. He likes volunteering at the TCWM because he enjoys visiting with the people who have similar interests in studying history.

For more than 35 years Joe has worn many reenacting hats and can talk on numerous subjects such as military tactics, uniforms, hardware, textiles and music of the period. He plays a pretty good guitar and banjo as well. His boyhood years were spent growing up on a battlefield in Atlanta, Ga, listening to his grandmother's stories. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War and earning a BA from Georgia State he moved to Waco and became the Vice President of a National Distributing Company. Upon retirement he was able to pursue his passion. He attended Baylor University graduate school in museum studies and serves as a researcher for the Heritage Museum and Research Center at Hill College. He also is a consultant for Civil War books, movies, and paintings. Aside from collecting period artifacts, he is a member of the Civil War Round Table, Hood's Texas Brigade Reactivated, Order of the Southern Cross, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Sons of American Revolution, Company of Military Historians and numerous other history related organizations. When asked what he likes best about volunteering at the TCWM he said "just being there."