Preston Hollow resident TRACY GARDNER isn’t bothered by the rising gas prices. That’s because she gets around town in a donkey-drawn carriage. She plays a fictional 1890s character at Old City Park, so in her world, cars don’t exist. She spends her days cooking over an open hearth, tending to her farm animals, and helping us get an idea of what life was like here more than 100 years ago.
 
Tell me a about the historical character you play.
I play Mrs. Clementine, who lives circa 1893. I help my husband run his freight and delivery service by driving a carriage around town.
 
Did women commonly help run family businesses back in 1893?
No, most women just did housework, but my character is an exception. The story goes that my husband was injured in an accident, so while he is recuperating, I’m stepping in to help.
 
What’s it like driving that carriage?
My carriage is pulled by two donkeys, Nip and Tuck, and they do all the work, so it’s easy. Nip and Tuck are both Mammoth Jacks, which are the second-tallest breed of donkey in the world. They’re about four-and-a-half-feet tall at their shoulders. There are only about 5,000 of them left today, and George Washington helped establish their breed.
 
So Old City Park even uses historically accurate animals?
Yes. In fact, just about all the farm animals here are dying breeds from that time period. Like our chickens, they’re Jersey Giants and weigh about 14 pounds. Most people have never seen chickens that large because they’re seldom bred today.
 
Do you care for all those farm animals?
Yes, I’m in charge of all the animals here. In fact, several of our animals have been on the TV show “Prison Break” and I’ve trained them to be on camera. My love for animals is what led me to this job.
 
So have you always worked with animals?
I spent 25 years working at zoos and with animals in the movie industry. Getting to work with the animals here is one of the best perks of my job.
 
Then you were never a big history buff?
Before I started working here, I couldn’t have even told you who was president during this time period. But now, I’m really starting to get into the time period of my historical character.
 
How so?
Well, for example, I have learned open-hearth cooking. I cook over an open fire and prepare authentic 1860s recipes from old cookbooks.

What kinds of dishes do you prepare?
I make roasted stuffed leg of lamb with forced meat, which is basically like sausage. I also make meatballs, and some sort of veggie and mashed potato. And I bake fresh breads, biscuits, pies, cobblers, and cookies. I didn’t even cook before I worked here, but now I teach open-hearth cooking classes to anyone who is interested. It looks hard, but it’s really quite simple.
 
I understand you’re getting ready for the holiday celebration there at Old City Park.
Yes, we’re getting ready for our Candlelight celebration. The entire park will be lit with candles, and there will be carolers, carriage rides, storytellers, and all the houses will be decorated. It’s a lot of fun because it lets people see what the holidays were like back in the 1800s.
 
For information about this year’s Candlelight celebration, please see page ##.