Star of the Republic Museum facts for kids
The Star of the Republic Museum in Washington, Texas is a special place. It's the only museum in Texas made to show what life was like during the time Texas was its own country, called the Republic of Texas (from 1836 to 1846). Inside, you'll find two floors of cool exhibits. You can learn about this exciting time through videos, displays, and historical objects. The museum is located in Washington on the Brazos. This is where important leaders met on March 2, 1836. They decided that Texas would become independent from Mexico here.
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What the Museum Does
The Star of the Republic Museum was created by the Texas Legislature, which is like the state's law-making group. It's run by Blinn College. The museum's main goal is to collect and keep items from the Texas Republic (1836–1846). It also helps people understand the history, different cultures, and values of early Texans. The museum wants to make learning about Texas history fun and interesting. It does this through exhibits, tours, programs, and online activities for everyone.
Museum's History
The State of Texas officially started the Star of the Republic Museum in 1969. It opened its doors on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1970. The museum later moved under the care of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.
In 1972, the museum earned a special approval called "accreditation" from the American Alliance of Museums. This means the museum follows high standards. It provides great service to visitors and takes good care of its collections. Only about 800 out of 8,500 museums in the country have this important accreditation.
In 1992, the museum began big plans to update its building and exhibits. The main exhibit, called "The Republic of Texas", was finished in 2002. This permanent display shows over 1,000 items. They help tell the story of Texas culture in the early 1800s.
Explore the Exhibits
The museum has exhibits on two floors. The first floor is shaped like a five-point Texas star. The second floor is shaped like a pentagon.
First Floor: Early Texas History
The first floor shows the history of early Texas in order. It starts with the first Texans, the Native Americans. Then it moves to the Texian soldiers who fought for Texas freedom.
Some cool things you can see here include:
- The Reading of the Texas Declaration of Independence: This is a painting from 1936. It shows the people who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- The Lone Star Flag: This is the oldest known Texas flag from 1839–1846.
- Personal items: You can also see things that belonged to the people who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Second Floor: Daily Life in the Republic
The second floor shows what daily life was like in the 1830s and 1840s. It highlights the different cultures of the settlers in the Republic of Texas.
Fun things to experience on this floor include:
- A pretend riverboat trip: You can imagine floating down the Brazos River.
- An observation deck: From here, you can see the 300-acre Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site.
Fun Annual Events
The museum hosts several exciting events each year.
Texas Independence Day Celebration
This is the biggest event for the whole park! It happens every year on the weekend closest to March 2. That's the actual day Texas declared independence from Mexico. During this celebration, you can visit all the park sites for free. You'll see people dressed in old-fashioned clothes. There are also historical re-enactments and special performances. Many demonstrators show what life was like during the Republic of Texas time.
Juneteenth Heritage Celebration
On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger came to Galveston. He announced that about 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were free. Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated with picnics, parades, and family gatherings. Washington on the Brazos celebrates this important day with its Juneteenth Heritage Celebration. This family-friendly event includes artifact displays, music, art, and guest speakers.
Christmas on the Brazos
You can start your holiday season at Washington on the Brazos. Activities begin in the afternoon at Independence Hall and the museum. They continue into the evening, showing what Christmas was like in the 1850s. The main part of the celebration is Candlelight Christmas. You can meet St. Nick and see how families celebrated Christmas long ago. It's recommended to make reservations for this special experience.
Where to Find the Museum
The Star of the Republic Museum is one of three important places at the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site. This site is in Washington, Texas.
The other two places you can visit there are:
- Independence Hall: This is where the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed in 1836.
- Barrington Living History Farm: This was the home of Anson Jones, who was the last president of the Republic of Texas.
The Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is located in Washington County, Texas. The museum's address is 23200 Park Road 12, Washington, Texas.
Families of the Signers
Since 2010, the Star of the Republic Museum has kept a list of the direct family members of the 60 men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Most of these men were chosen to be delegates at the Convention of 1836. Herbert S. Kimble also signed the Declaration as the Convention's secretary.
