Star of the Republic Museum is administered by Blinn College The Historical Museum of Texas
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Activities and Events

 

 
Brazos Valley Regional History Fair
 

Texas Independence Day Celebration
 

HEB Fireworks on the Brazos

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

"Texas Tots" Story Time

The Star of the Republic Museum is holding a monthly story time, “Texas Tots,” for preschool children age 3-5 on the 3rd Tuesday of each month*. During “Texas Tots,” a craft or activity will be offered which follows the story theme. Themes center around Texas history and cultures, and will include topics such as Native American Heritage, Texas Wildflowers, and Tall Tales.

The cost for the program will be $3 per participating child, to help cover the expense of craft supplies. Adults will pay the public admission fee of $5, or may choose to purchase a $9 three-site Brazos Pass, good for admission to the Star of the Republic Museum, Barrington Living History Farm, and/or Independence Hall. There is no admission fee for children under age 6 to visit Barrington Farm or Independence Hall.

“Texas Tots” will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Advance reservations are required, as seating is limited. Payment is due at the time of reservation. Families must register individually. Call 936-878-2461, ext. 236 for reservations.

*NOTE: Texas Tots date for March will be March 23!

Christmas in the Republic, December 2009

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.

The Museum will be CLOSED from December 24 through January 1, 2010! Happy Holidays!

Anson Jones: President and Physician, January 2010

In honor of Dr. Anson Jones’ 212th 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.

"Making Every Stitch Count," January 30-31, 2010

Focus weekend throughout the Park, highlighting various textile skills from the mid-19th century. Quilts and other items from the museum collection will be on display.

 

 

Republic of Texas Art Contest, February 2010

The Star of the Republic Museum is hosting the annual Republic of Texas Art Contest. The purpose of this art contest is to give area 4th graders the opportunity to make historical and cultural connections through Art. They will explore their artistic talents while they discover the rich history of the Republic of Texas, as well as events that led up to the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Deadline for entry is February 3, 2010. Winning artwork will be on display at the Star of the Republic Museum until May 21, 2010 and the Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:30 in the Star of the Republic Museum Theater during the Texas Independence Day Celebration. For more information, guidelines and registration form, click here.

Brazos Valley Regional History Fair, February 12, 2010

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 2010 is "Innovation in History: Impact and Change." Project categories include: historical papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, and websites. For more information, click here.

"The First Texans: Living Green," opening February 27, 2010

The Star of the Republic Museum will open a new exhibit entitled “The First Texans: Living Green” in celebration of Texas Independence Day 2010. Included in the exhibit will be archeological artifacts from the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Pottery and stone, bone and shell tools of the indigenous people who lived in Texas at the time of European contact will be on display. Also included in the exhibit will be woven netting, matting, basketry and sandals that were preserved in the dry rock shelters of West Texas.


The exhibit focuses on the subsistence strategies and use of natural resources by these early Texans. See the tools that they used to hunt, farm and fish. The exhibit will be open through August 31, 2010.

Texas Independence Day Celebration, February 27-February 28, 2010

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

College Saturday: "Love & Lust," March 27, 2010

The Star of the Republic Museum proudly presents “Love & Lust: Romantic and Sexual Relationships in the Republic of Texas” with FREE BlueBell Ice Cream! Join us Saturday, March 27, from 1:00-2:00PM or 3:00-4:00PM for an exposé of the more intimate side of life in the mid-19th century, created specifically for college students.*

Students with a college ID pay just $3 for program admission. Since the Museum is administered by Blinn College, anyone with a Blinn ID gets in FREE (free ice cream with admission + free admission = FREE ICE CREAM!). Some students may even receive extra credit for attending.** Students are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy in our scenic, riverside picnic area.

*Non-students are welcome, but will be subject to the adult public admission fee of $5. Due to mature content, no one under the age of 18 will be admitted.

**Please confirm extra-credit procedures with your instructor prior to attending the program.

"The Bison: American Icon," June 18-August 11, 2010

An "NEH on the Road" traveling exhibition, developed by the C. M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana. The exhibit explores the meaning and significance of this iconic creature from the Plains Indian culture of the 1800s through the commercial and national symbol of the present.

"H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos," July 4, 2010

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.

School Daze-Education in Early Texas, August, 2010

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, 2010

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. Enjoy your picnic lunch in the pecan grove along the Brazos River. At Barrington Farm, experience life on an 1850s era farm to learn more about the crops, livestock, and daily life of early Texans. No minimum group size required. For more information, click here.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $8/child, $6/adult
Lunch not provided, picnics welcome!
Reservations and payment in advance required:
Call 936-878-2461, ext. 236 for reservations, after August 1.

Archeology Awareness, October 2010

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

 

 

 


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