Things to Do

Celebrate the State of Texas Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site During the Month of March

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Tony Maples Photography

 

This year marks Texas’ 181st birthday, and several events were held across the state for Texas’ Independence Day on March 2, including family activities, fun, and maybe just a little bit of history, too. Although it’s been referred to as “the cradle of Texas liberty,” the Alamo was not, in fact, the site for the signing of the state’s official Declaration of Independence. This was actually signed in the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos, on March 2, 1836, while the Alamo was under siege, and many a historic detail of this great birth month of our state is being told at the site to highlight the monumental undertaking.

Celebrate the State of Texas Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site During the Month of March

Photo: Facebook/Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site

On the third Saturday of each month staff and volunteers of the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site dress in period clothing to celebrate Living History Saturday; bringing to life the people and events of the time and allowing visitors to discover unique aspects of life during the birth of the Republic of Texas. Their program features family activities including trying to write with a quill pen and signing a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence! Special activities for kids include a look at 19th-century children’s toys, 1830’s clothing dress-up, a hands-on laundry demonstration, and a blacksmithing demonstration.

Celebrate the State of Texas Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site During the Month of March

Photo: Facebook/Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site

During that time, tours of Independence Hall will not take place, but visitors are welcome to come to the site during regular operating hours (8 a.m. to sunset, daily) to do just that, as well as the Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Living History Farm, where Anson Jones, last president of the Republic of Texas, once resided. Reproduction handcrafted log buildings and cropland at the site demonstrate the working of a Brazos Valley farm, circa 1850. And the Visitor Center Complex hosts interactive exhibits and the Washington Emporium Gift Shop, containing a wide selection of souvenirs, Texas history maps and books, as well as Texas t-shirts and hats. Rumor has it, there’s even some Blue Bell Ice Cream to be had, and if anything was worth fighting for, that would be one of them! Visit the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site during the month of March to celebrate Texas’ independence and the movements and activities that secured the state as we now know it to be.