All Texans are invited to a Texas-sized 179th birthday celebration on the very spot “where Texas became Texas” on March 2, 1836 when 59 delegates bravely met to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico.
“Texas Independence Day Celebration” is a two-day celebration on Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, 2015, on the expansive 293-acre park grounds of the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site between Brenham and Navasota. The birthday celebration features live music, food, traditional crafts, living history presentations, firing demonstrations, historical encampments, commemorative programs, and keynote address by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Guests will step back into history to experience life in Texas in 1836 by visiting with reenactors and witnessing firing demonstrations in the Texas Army camps as well as a virtual townsite tour. Attendees can walk the same trail as Texas’ forefathers and pioneer families, and witness cooking, weaving and period craft demonstrations.
The featured exhibit at the Star of the Republic Museum—Enduring Spirit: African Americans in 19th Century Texas—opens on Feb. 1, 2015 and runs for a year. Artifacts on display will include typical documents of the period such as slave records, freedmen contracts and an oath of allegiance. Stoneware pottery made at the Wilson Pottery near Seguin, the first African American business in Texas, will be exhibited as well as an example of the intricate and difficult Pine Burr pattern quilt.
“Texas Independence Day Celebration” is a two-day celebration on Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, 2015, on the expansive 293-acre park grounds of the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site between Brenham and Navasota. The birthday celebration features live music, food, traditional crafts, living history presentations, firing demonstrations, historical encampments, commemorative programs, and keynote address by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Guests will step back into history to experience life in Texas in 1836 by visiting with reenactors and witnessing firing demonstrations in the Texas Army camps as well as a virtual townsite tour. Attendees can walk the same trail as Texas’ forefathers and pioneer families, and witness cooking, weaving and period craft demonstrations.
The featured exhibit at the Star of the Republic Museum—Enduring Spirit: African Americans in 19th Century Texas—opens on Feb. 1, 2015 and runs for a year. Artifacts on display will include typical documents of the period such as slave records, freedmen contracts and an oath of allegiance. Stoneware pottery made at the Wilson Pottery near Seguin, the first African American business in Texas, will be exhibited as well as an example of the intricate and difficult Pine Burr pattern quilt.
The three attractions on the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (WOB)—(Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm)—will feature various activities, and all admission and tour fees will be waived during the two-day celebration. Free bus shuttles will run throughout the park on Saturday and Sunday; and—as always—parking and admission to the grounds is free. A free shuttle will also run from the city of Navasota to the park grounds. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at the corner of McAlpine and Railroad, and will run continuously from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday only.
For more detailed information on the festivities planned for February 28 and March 1, call (936) 878-2214 or email office@wheretexasbecametexas.org.
For lodging information, please contact the Brenham Visitor Center at www.visitbrenhamtexas.com or 1-888-BRENHAM, or the City of Navasota at 936-825-7055 or www.navasotatx.gov.
For lodging information, please contact the Brenham Visitor Center at www.visitbrenhamtexas.com or 1-888-BRENHAM, or the City of Navasota at 936-825-7055 or www.navasotatx.gov.
WHEN: Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, located at 23400 Park Road 12 in Washington, Texas, off State Hwy. 105 on FM 1155 (between Brenham and Navasota—approximately one hour northwest of Houston).
COST: The celebration, as well as parking and admission to the parks’ three attractions (Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm) are free.
INFORMATION: www.birthplaceoftexas.com/Events-TexasIndependenceDay
INFORMATION: www.birthplaceoftexas.com/Events-TexasIndependenceDay
