Paris, Texas -- Families are invited to explore the fascinating history of fingerprinting at the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site during a special hands-on program, “Fingerprint Fun,” on Saturday, December 27, with sessions at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Participants will step back into the Victorian era to learn how fingerprinting developed as a method of personal identification. Guests will then put their detective skills to the test by conducting a fun fingerprint investigation and creating a unique fingerprint-inspired craft to take home. The program fee is $3 per participant.

Kylie holds up her fingerprint card.

After the program, visitors are encouraged to stay for a guided tour of the historic Maxey House to discover the story of one of Paris’s most distinguished families and gain insight into daily life in 19th-century Texas.

Regular admission fees apply for tours.

WHO:          Families
WHAT:        Fingerprint Fun ($3 per participant)
WHEN:       Saturday, December 27 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
WHERE:     812 South Church Street, Paris, Texas 75460

The Sam Bell Maxey House is located at 812 South Church St. For more information, please contact the Sam Bell Maxey House at 903.785.5716, visit the site’s website at www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitsambellmaxeyhouse.

The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, was built in 1868 in the High Victorian Italianate-style as the home of Samuel Bell Maxey and his wife Marilda. Maxey served in the U.S.-Mexico War, was a Confederate general and two-term U.S. Senator. Members of the Maxey family lived in the house until 1966 and the restored house reflects almost 100 years of their continuous use. For more information visit visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com.