The Texas Independence Day Celebration at the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site two-day celebration features live old-time music, traditional crafts and living history presentations. At the event, you’ll be able to see the Texas A&M University Singing Cadets and family reunions of the descendants of the 58 men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
The event is held the weekend of March 4.
The site is located just southwest of Navasota, tucked away in a rural area where the fields are large, the flowers are beautiful, and wildlife is abundant. But if you can’t visit this weekend, this is a living history available throughout the year.
The site is home to the Barrington Living History Farm, the Star of the Republic Museum and Independence Hall, all of which center around Texas history circa 1836 to 1850.
Ansel Jones was the last president of the Republic of Texas. The Barrington Living History Farm features his house as it was in 1850. Visitors can explore most rooms in the house and ask questions – the Texas Parks and Wildlife park rangers who are dressed in clothes of the era will answer.
The rangers not only dress the part, but do the work in the house and on the farm just as would have been done in 1850. There are no modern conveniences, tools or power. If it’s cold, the rangers light a fire in a stone fireplace, if they’re bored, they embroider or make cotton yarn. If they’re hungry, they cook food raised on the farm in an 1850’s kitchen – complete with wooden utensils and cast-iron pots.
The rangers are eager for visitors to also take part and help on the farm. Children are asked to fetch firewood or plant in the garden using traditional tools of the period. If they’re lucky, they might even get to feed the animals.
The Star of the Republic Museum is a short distance from the farm. It’s dedicated to preserving the historical material and culture of the Texas Republic from 1836-1846. It is the only museum in the state that was created specifically for this purpose and has a vast wealth of artifacts and exhibits that will interest Texas history buffs and children alike.
Another treat to visit is Independence Hall or “the birthplace of Texas,” where the Declaration of Independence for Texas was signed, freeing it from Mexico and making it a brand new nation.
The building is a replica, but right outside is a monument to the site that has been standing since 1899. It is hard to stand in that spot and not feel a historical connection to the brave people who came before us to help make Texas what it is today.
