Star of the Republic Museum is administered by Blinn College The Historical Museum of Texas
exhibits Museum calendar of events School tour information public tour information What's new at the museum museum image and artifact collections Other Texas history links
Texian Flag Texas seal
Activities and Events

 

 
Black History Month
 

HEB Fireworks on the Brazos
 

Buffalo Exhibit

 

Learning about Native Americans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A variety of special events and activities are planned throughout the year at the Star of the Republic Museum. The following descriptions provide a glimpse of the many ways visitors can step back in time and experience early 19th century Texas. For additional information on these or other activities, please contact the museum at 936-878-2461.

Anson Jones: President and Physician, January 2008

In honor of Dr. Anson Jones’ 210th birthday, the Museum will present a special display on his life in the Showers Brown Discovery Center for Children. The display will include a timeline of his life, from 1798-1858, with related documents, quotes and artifacts.

Black History Month, February 2008

The Star of the Republic Museum will have a display celebrating Black History Month in the Showers-Brown Discovery Center throughout the month. Learn more about the culture, history, and legends of the African American experience during the Republic period of Texas. 

Brazos Valley Regional History Fair, February 8, 2008

Students from a five county region will compete for advancement to Texas History Day in Austin under the guidelines of National History Day. Students in Grades 6-12 create projects related to an annual theme, which in 2007 is "Triumph and Tragedy in History." Project categories include: historical papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, and websites. For more information, click here.

Texas Independence Day Celebration, March 1-2, 2008

Texian Army Re-enactmentEvery year Washington-on-the-Brazos is the site for a giant party celebrating Texas birthday, bringing thousands of visitors out to join in the recognition of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Festivities, sponsored by the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, include traditional crafts and music demonstrations, living history presentations, and historical encampments. Commemorative ceremonies, with special Texas dignitaries, highlight the event on Sunday afternoon, which culminates with a "Texas-sized" birthday cake!

Click Here for Schedule of Events

Teacher Workshop: "Integrating Social Studies with Science, Math, and Language Arts," June 6, 2008

Star of the Republic Museum, in conjunction with Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, announces a new Teacher Workshop entitled “Integrating Social Studies with Science, Math, and Language Arts” on Friday, June 6, 2008. The workshop is open to all teachers who want to learn ways to use historical materials from early Texas to enhance essential knowledge and skills for Grades 4-8, as specified by TEKS. Participants will visit all facilities at the site, including the Star of the Republic Museum, Barrington Living History Farm, and Independence Hall.

The workshop will feature presentations by Dr. Jerry Lincecum and Dr. Peggy Redshaw of Austin College, based on the writings of Dr. Gideon Lincecum (1793-1874). This frontier naturalist, whose observations of Texas fauna, flora, landscape, and weather were published in both popular and scientific journals, will be brought to life in a first-person interpretation by his great-great-great grandson. Participants will receive a copy of the award-winning Science on the Texas Frontier: Observations of Dr. Gideon Lincecum, a witty and informational book illuminating an important era in Texas history with detailed scientific investigations.

The cost of the workshop is $45, which must be paid at the time of registration. Lunch will be available for an additional $5, if orders are placed in advance. Workshop hours are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Participants will receive a certificate for six contact hours of Continuing Professional Education credits from the Department of Workforce Education at Blinn College at the conclusion of the workshop. For more information, please contact Anne McGaugh, Curator of Education, at (936) 878-2461, ext. 237 or amcgaugh@blinn.edu. Registration forms are available here, or can be faxed upon request. Deadline for registration is Friday, May 30. Space is limited!

"H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos," July 4, 2008

Celebrate our national independence at the "Birthplace of Texas!" Sponsored by HEB, the annual 4th of July celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos includes a fun-filled day of family activities. The highlight of the celebration will feature an enormous fireworks extravaganza presented by HEB!

Admission to the Park is free. Visitors can also tour the historic sites within the Park during the day, including Star of the Republic Museum (10:00 am-6:00 pm), Barrington Living History Farm (12:00-8:00 pm), and Independence Hall; regular admission fees apply. Food vendors will offer a variety of festival food choices on-site. Visit the arts & crafts booths for a special souvenir. Visitors may wish to bring picnics, blankets or lawn chairs, and flashlights. State park rules apply; alcohol prohibited.

6:30 pm 1800's period children's games
7:00 pm FREE Blue Bell Ice Cream and Coca Cola drinks
7:30 pm "An American Celebration" with the Brazos Valley Chorale (in the Amphitheater)
8:15 pm Blues band "Tubie & the Touchstones" (in the Amphitheater)
9:00 pm H-E-B presents "Fireworks on the Brazos" accompanied by patriotic music on KTEX 106

School Daze-Education in Early Texas, August, 2008

Teachers, this is your month! All sites offer you free admission with a school ID or business card. Find out what learning opportunities are available throughout the year at the Park.

Home School Days in September and October, 2008

On the second and fourth Wednesdays in September and October, the staff at the museum and the farm will present Childhood in Early Texas, an interactive, hands-on program for the entire family, targeting students ages 5-12. Discover what life was like for a child in the mid-19th century during a visit to this historic site. In the museum, learn about childhood chores, clothes, and schools, and then make some old-fashioned toys to take home. Take a break with a picnic lunch in the pecan grove along the Brazos River, then hike up to Barrington Farm to experience life on the farm. End your visit with a stroll through the cotton field, picking a boll or two along the way.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $5/child, $6/adult
Lunch not provided, picnics welcome!
Reservations required:
Call 936-878-2461, ext. 236 for reservation

Hispanic Heritage, September 2008

Throughout the month of September, Star of the Republic Museum will have a temporary display in the Showers-Brown Discovery Center entitled “Diez y Seis de Septiembre: Mexican Independence Day.” This display examines Mexico’s quest for independence from Spain and demonstrates how Hispanic heritage has influenced our lives today.

Archeology Awareness, October 2008

The Star of the Republic Museum will recognize October as Texas Archeology Awareness Month (TAAM) with a display in the Showers-Brown Discovery Center. Information about public digs, websites to visit, and other literature will also be available.

Native American Heritage, November 2008

The focus at the museum for the month of November will be “Native Americans in Texas.” A special display will be presented in the Showers-Brown Discovery Center related to this topic. An expanded program on Native Americans will be offered to students in Grades K-2, at the museum for a fee of $1 per student. Minimum group size: 20 students. Reservations required.

Christmas in the Republic, December 2008

In December, learn about Christmas from a multicultural perspective in the Showers-Brown Discovery Center in the Star of the Republic Museum. Explore the contributions of the German, English, African American, and Hispanic cultures to Texas holiday traditions.

 


ABOUT THE MUSEUM   |   EXHIBITS   |   CALENDAR   |   SCHOOL TOURS   |   PUBLIC TOURS   |   WHAT'S NEW   |   FAQ'S   |   LINKS   |   SITE MAP