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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 2009
In honor of Dr. Anson Jones’ 211th 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.
Republic of Texas Art Contest,
February 2009
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 4, 2009.
Winning artwork will be on display at the Star of the Republic Museum
until May 22, 2009 and the Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday,
February 28, 2009 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 13, 2009
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 2009 is "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies."
Project categories include: historical papers, exhibits, performances,
documentaries, and websites. For more information, click here.
"Texas Transformed:
Early Maps of Texas," opening February 28, 2009
The shape of Texas has evolved as a result of
various boundary disputes and negotiations. Early cartographers
recorded these changes as the struggle to define "Texas"
developed. Texas Transformed: Early Maps of Texas will
feature a collection of maps from 1718-1879, and will include the
largest map of Texas, by Charles W. Pressler, on loan from the General
Land Office. The exhibit will be open through August 31, 2009, however
the the Pressler map will only be displayed through March 22. Don't
miss it!
Texas Independence
Day Celebration, February 28-March 1, 2009
 Every
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!
"H-E-B Fireworks on
the Brazos," July 4, 2009
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. For more information, click here.
School Daze-Education
in Early Texas, August, 2009
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.
Smithsonian
magazine Museum Day, September 26, 2009 
Enjoy FREE admission to the Star of the Republic
Museum for you and one guest by presenting the Museum Day
admission card found in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian
magazine or downloaded here.
Good for one day only, on Saturday, September 26. Admission cards
will be collected upon entry. Museum Day is a one-day
nationwide celebration of culture sponsored by over 900 participating
museums and cultural institutions across the country.
Home School Days
in September and October, 2009
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.
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 2009
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.
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.
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