Visitor Services Complex

Independence Hall and
Washington Townsite Trail

Barrington Living History Farm

Picnic Area / Pavilions

Visitor Services Complex

Independence Hall - Photo TXDot

Barrington Living History Farm

The 300-acre park, established in 1915, is located at the original townsite of Washington, a major political and commercial center in early Texas. First settled in 1821 by one of Austin's colonists, Washington was formally established in 1835, and named after Washington, Georgia, the hometown of settlers Andrew Robinson and Asa Hoxey. Washington served as the first ad-interim capital and last capital of the Republic of Texas. The Park is open 8:00 a.m. to sundown year round.

Visitor Services Complex
The new Visitor Center features interactive exhibits in the Gallery of the Republic which present a timeline of the Texas Revolution and highlight the historic attractions located within the Park. It also houses the spacious Washington Emporium gift shop, which offers a wide range of Texas-themed items, as well as keepsakes to help you remember your visit. Take a bit of the Texas mystique home with you! Visitor Center open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily; gift shop open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Overlooking the Brazos River, the newly renovated Conference Center features an auditorium with a capacity for 400 seated theater-style or 250 for banquets. Restaurant services are open seasonally and catering lists are available. The Education Center is located adjacent to the auditorium. Consisting of two carpeted classroom-type spaces, it is perfect for smaller groups or for breakout sessions of larger meetings. An Amphitheater is also available.

Independence Hall and Washington Townsite Trail
An all-weather walking trail leads from the Visitor Center to a reconstruction of Independence Hall, which stands on the original location at the corner of Ferry and Main Streets. This site marks the place where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed and the government of the new nation was formed. From Independence Hall, the walking trail follows Ferry Street down the bluff overlooking the Brazos River. This trail is also part of the historic La Bahia Road, an important Spanish trade route following an ancient Native American trail. New trail signage shows maps of the small town of Washington in 1836. Open daily for tours.

Barrington Living History Farm
This facility recreates daily life on an 1850s Brazos Valley cotton farm through the story of Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. The site is centered around Jones' original home, which he named Barrington after his birthplace of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The scene is complete with replicas of the log outbuildings that were noted by Anson Jones in his extensive diary and farm account books. These include a barn, cotton crib, kitchen, smokehouse, chicken coop, and two slave cabins. Historic breeds of farm animals are raised including cattle, hogs and chickens. Heirloom crops are grown in the surrounding fields, garden and orchard. Interpreters dressed in nineteenth-century clothing perform the daily chores of an 1850 farm. Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.-Monday through Saturday; 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.-Sunday.

Picnic Area/Pavilions
Picnic tables, grills, shelters and public restrooms are located in the beautiful pecan grove along the Brazos River on the east side of the Park. Outside tables are available at no charge on a first-come basis. Two pavilions are available for rental by reservation. To reserve call (936) 878-2214.