Paris, Texas -- The Sam Bell Maxey House invites visitors to take a journey through history with their sense of smell during the “Scented Stories: Spices and Trade” program on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
From pepper and cinnamon to cloves and nutmeg, spices have connected cultures and shaped global trade for centuries. Discover how these everyday ingredients traveled across oceans and trade routes before reaching American kitchens. Though they may seem ordinary today, many common spices were once rare, valuable commodities traded across vast distances. Then test your sense of smell in a hands-on activity as you try to identify a variety of spices by scent alone.
“History isn't just something we read about. It's something we can experience,” said Elana Barton, educator at the Sam Bell Maxey House. “Visitors will learn about the spice trade and then try the spices they learned about with an acitivty, making this a fun and memorable program for all ages.”
Designed for visitors of all ages, “Scented Stories: Spices and Trade” offers a unique opportunity to discover the stories behind some of the most common items found in our homes today. Admission to the program is $3 per person. House tours will be available before and after the program at regular admission rates: $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6 to 18, and free for children 5 and under.
For more information on “Scented Stories: Spices and Trade,” please contact the site at 903.785.5716, or visit the site’s website, www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/visitsambellmaxeyhouse.
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 www.visitsambellmaxeyhouse.com.
