They say that everything is bigger in Texas, but we don’t always take time to understand the rich history of the Lonestar State. Well, Washington on the Brazos, known as the place where Texas became Texas, will be hosting their annual Texas Independence Day Celebration on March 3 and 4.
Texas Independence Day Celebration, presented by H-E-B and coordinated by the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association, is an annual two-day living history celebration which commemorates the day in 1836 when 59 delegates bravely met to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico. After all, there is no better place to celebrate Texas’ independence than on the very spot “Where Texas Became Texas.” The free event features live music, food, traditional crafts, musket and cannon firings, the Texas A&M University Singing Cadets, the Kids History Zone, “The Birth of a Republic” (a historical play about the signers of the declaration), the Brenham Children’s Chorus and other commemorative programs.
A new museum exhibit, titled “So Others Could Follow: Four Centuries of Maps That Define Texas,” will open that weekend and will illustrate the evolution of Texas over four centuries, both geographically and politically. Historical reenactors set up a bonafide 1836 Texas Army camp, where visitors can wander freely to learn how the soldiers and their families lived. Admission fees are waived for the site’s permanent attractions (Independence Hall; Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Living History Farm) for the weekend celebration.
Located on 293 acres of lush park, the picturesque Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is the core of the Republic of Texas Complex, which also includes Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site—a wonderfully preserved 19th century stagecoach inn located nearby in Anderson, TX. Additionally, you’ll find the nearby Six Flags over Texas Monument in Navasota, TX. A visit to this significant historic site is a must for all Texans and visitors alike!
The Texas Independence Day Celebration will take place on March 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, TX. Admission to the grounds, on-site shuttles and parking are free for the event. Contact: 936-878-2214 for more information.
