Texas Independence Day Celebration February 27, 2009

February 28-March 1, 2009 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. This celebration brings to life the Republic of Texas era. The festival will be held from 10am until 5pm. each day.

During the two day celebration, the 293 acre park along the Brazos River is transported back to the time when Texas was a sovereign nation. Costumed re-enactors and members of the Texas Army, along with skilled craftsmen and talented musicians, fill the park as Texas commemorates its inception. Statesmen of the era, such as Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Anson Jones, will be on hand to explain to visitors the importance of Texas Independence. At the Visitor’s Center, guests will be able to preview the Park Association’s new web project, the Spirit of Independence. The interactive web site is being constructed to allow teachers and students access to the wealth of information and primary sources available at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. The Spirit of Independence has been the focus of a major fundraising effort,designed to increase awareness of the unique place Washington-on-the-Brazos holds in Texas history.

The Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos will open a new exhibit Independence Day weekend entitled “Texas Transformed: Early maps of Texas.” Included in the exhibit will be the largest map of Texas, on loan from the Texas General Land Office, and measuring approximately eight feet square. The map was drafted in 1879 by Charles W. Pressler, who worked for GLO for 50 years. Other rare maps, including the first to identify “Tejas” as a place, will be on display through August 31st. The Pressler map will be on exhibit through March 22nd.

On Sunday at 11:00, the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association and the Ron Stone Foundation will dedicate a marker and rose garden to our beloved supporter, the late Ron Stone. The Antique Rose Emporium will unveil its newest rose, a yellow bloom entitled “Ron’s Vision.”

At, 2:00, several Texas Heroes will assist in a public celebration at the park amphitheater. Dr. Stephen L. Hardin, professor of history at Victoria College, author, and widely acclaimed expert on the Texas Revolution will be our guest speaker. The Tanner Family Minstrel Show will help celebrate Texas’s 173rd birthday with a concert filled with music, songs and laughter. A Texas sized birthday cake will be served to concert goers, with the

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site features three attractions that are open year round – Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm.

All admission fees will be waived during the celebration weekend! Food vendors selling variety of festival foods will be on site.

This event is made possible through funding from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Bluebonnet Electric Co-op, and Embarq.

Official Website: http://www.birthplaceoftexas.com/press_release/texas_independence_day.htm