Celebrate Texas Independence Day on the Very Spot Where Texas Became Texas
Washington, Texas (PRWEB) January 13, 2015 -- All Texans (natural born, and those that got here as soon as they could) are invited to a Texas-sized 179th birthday celebration on the very spot “Where Texas Became Texas”—Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. It was March 2, 1836 when 59 delegates bravely met at Washington, Texas to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico. From 1836 until 1846, the Republic of Texas proudly existed as a separate nation.
“Texas Independence Day Celebration” is an annual two-day celebration on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 2015 on the expansive 293-acre park grounds of the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, between Brenham and Navasota—and less than 1½ hours from Houston. The birthday celebration features live music, food, traditional crafts, living history presentations, firing demonstrations, historical encampments and commemorative programs.
Guests will step back into history at this state park to experience life in Texas in 1836 by visiting with reenactors; witnessing firing demonstrations in the Texas Army camps; watching cooking, weaving and period craft demonstrations; and walking the same trail as Texas’ forefathers and pioneer families. Texas musicians will provide musical entertainment, including the Lone Star String Band and the Great American Medicine Show featuring Professor Farquar and his “historic narratives, comic chronicles, tall tales, unabashed balderdash and the greatest songs of the 19th century.”
The three attractions on the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (WOB)—(Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm)—will feature special activities, and all admission and tour fees will be waived during the two-day celebration. Independence Hall, Barrington Living History Farm and the WOB Visitor Center are all administered—along with the parklands—by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD); the Star of the Republic Museum is administered by Blinn College. Free bus shuttles will run throughout the park on Saturday and Sunday.
This event is made possible by ExxonMobil, Bluebonnet Electric Co-op, the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, the City of Brenham, the City of Navasota, Brenham/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Blinn College, KTEX 106 Sounds Like Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association.
More detailed information on the weekend’s festivities will be continually updated at http://www.wheretexasbecametexas.org; the public can also call (936) 878-2214 or email office(at)wheretexasbecametexas(dot)org for more information. For lodging information, please contact the Brenham Visitor Center at http://www.visitbrenhamtexas.com/ or 1-888-BRENHAM, or the City of Navasota at 936-825-7055 or http://www.navasotatx.gov.
WHEN: Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is located on the Brazos River at the original townsite of Washington, Texas, a major political and commercial center in early Texas. It is located at 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, TX, 77880—approximately halfway between Brenham and Navasota, off of State Hwy. 105. From Hwy. 105, follow either FM 912 or FM 1155 to Park Road 12.
COST: For the TIDC weekend, tour/admission fees are waived for the Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm. Parking is free.
SUMMARY: The “Texas Independence Day Celebration” is a two-day celebration on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the expansive 293-acre park grounds of the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. At the site where 59 delegates bravely met in 1836 to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico, this is truly “Where Texas Became Texas.” The birthday celebration features live music, food, traditional crafts, living history presentations, firing demonstrations, historical encampments and commemorative programs. Admission fees are waived for the site’s attractions (Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm) during the TIDC weekend celebration. Admission to the grounds and parking is also free. This state park is located at 23400 Park Road 12 in Washington, Texas—midway between Brenham and Navasota, off of state Hwy 105. More detailed information on the weekend’s festivities and directions can be found at http://www.wheretexasbecametexas.org; (936) 878-2214, or office(at)wheretexasbecametexas(dot)org.
Jeanne Albrecht, Washington on the Brazos, http://www.wheretexasbecametexas.org, +1 (210) 392-9047, [email protected]
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