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Museum History
Mission
Facilities
Library & Archives
Museum Newsletter
Facebook
Hours
Employment Opportunities
Map
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| Welcome to Texas |
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| A Beautiful, Promising Land |
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| Collage of Early
Texans |
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| "The First
Texans" Exhibit |
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For ten years, from 1836 to 1846, the Republic
of Texas proudly but precariously existed as a separate and unique
nation.
Located at the site where 59 delegates gathered
on March 2, 1836 to declare Texas’ independence from Mexico, the
Star of the Republic Museum depicts the colorful saga of the Texas
Republic—the story of Texas and its heritage…cotton and cattle…legends
of blood and iron…vast resources and vast lands.
Museum History
The Star of the Republic Museum, located in the
300-acre Washington-on-the-Brazos
State Historic Site, was created by the State of Texas and opened
on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1970. House Bill No. 634, of
the Sixty-first Legislature, in regular session, transferred the
control and custody of the Museum to Blinn
College, Brenham, Texas in Washington County.
Mission
"The Star of the Republic Museum was created
by the Texas Legislature and is administered by Blinn College as
a cultural and educational institution. Its purpose is to collect
and preserve the material culture of the Texas Republic (1836-1846)
and to interpret the history, cultures, diversity, and values of
early Texans. The Museum strives to inspire interest, understanding
and appreciation of Texas heritage for students, teachers, scholars,
and the general public through exhibits, tours, programs, web activities,
and outreach." (approved by the Blinn College Board of Trustees,
2007)
Facilities
The Museum is a two-story contemporary building,
the first level of which is in the shape of a five-pointed Texas
star, and is faced with native limestone. The pentagon-shaped second
level is reached by a gradual rising circular ramp from the first
level, and is also accessible via elevator. A large observation
deck off the second floor provides views of the surrounding Park.
Through 10,000 square feet of new exhibits, audio-visual
presentations, and educational programs, the Museum presents the
experiences of ordinary Texans and extraordinary events. The exhibits
emphasize social and cultural history, as well as military and political
events. Primary memoir accounts are used as much as possible to
let the people of the Republic tell their story "in their own
words." Exhibits are designed to interpret interesting and
significant artifacts with photographs, graphics, contextual material,
and text labels. The interpretation of the artifacts also includes
the social context of the objects, illustrating the people and values
from which they were produced. In addition, seasonal exhibitions,
special events, and interpretive demonstrations illustrating early
19th century life are regularly scheduled.
The Showers Brown Discovery Center incorporates
hands-on educational activities to help visitors make a personal
connection with the past. Interactive exhibits and displays in this
area change frequently to encourage multiple visits.
Library and Archives
The Museum maintains a research library of over
3,000 volumes, 25 magazine and journal subscriptions, and over 100
microfilms. Published primary source material is well represented.
The library contains 19th and 20th century materials on Texas history
including many rare volumes of Texana. The library also contains
publications on museum procedures and practices, and artifact care
and identification. The library may be utilized during weekday visiting
hours, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The archives, manuscript, and map
collections comprise additional research materials, and are accessible
by appointment only. No materials from the library or archives may
be checked out to the public. They are only available for use within
the facility.
Museum Newsletter
The Museum publishes a quarterly newsletter, Notes;
available free of charge, upon request. Check it out for the latest
information about what's happening at the Museum or for interesting
tidbits about life in the Republic of Texas. To subscribe, please
send your mailing address (street, city, state, and zipcode) to
star@blinn.edu. To download
the most recent issue, click here.
Find us on Facebook
 Become
a fan of the Star
of the Republic Museum today! Keep informed about what's happening
at "The Star" and let us know what you are thinking!
Hours
The Museum is open to the public seven days a
week, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day,
and from December 24 through January 1.
Employment Opportunities
The Museum currently has no open positions.
Map
From Brenham take Hwy. 105 east
14 miles, turn right on FM 912 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State
Historical Park.
From Navasota take Hwy 105 west
7 miles, turn left on FM 1155 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State
Historical Park.
From Austin take Hwy 290 east
straight into Brenham. Turn left onto Hwy. 105 near Blinn College.
Continue on Hwy 105 east through town. Continue on Hwy 105 about
20 miles to FM 912. Veer to the right, and continue going straight
until you come to the Park entrance.
From Houston take Hwy 290 to
Hwy 6 at Hempstead. Turn right on Hwy 6 to Navasota. Take Hwy 105
west 7 miles, turn left on FM 1155 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State
Historical Park.
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