Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Some museums take hours to explore. But imagine touring a small home filled with pieces from various families’ priceless collections. That’s how the Daughters of the Republic of Texas museum in Austin got its start.

Nelma Wilkinson, President General of the organization, explains the role Texas women had, and still have, in preserving Texas’ rich past.

They organized a museum over 100 years ago. Women in Austin, Texas, who were members of the William Barrett Travis chapter, which was the third chapter formed in Texas, those women had artifacts they had collected from their families, who had been involved in the Texas Revolution.

So the museum began in their homes, and eventually the legislators let them have a little corner over at the Capitol. They put their prized possessions over there to share with other people. Well, it wasn’t long before they outgrew that corner, so the legislators gave them space at the old land office building, and they had the second floor as their museum.

Now, it has been moved to our headquarters and we have a fantastic museum. I guess we’re the best kept secret in Austin. So few people know that we have this terrific museum there, but it’s just a treasure chest.

Learn more about the museum: http://www.drt-inc.org/museum.htm .

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

March second marks 171 years of Texas Independence. To celebrate… the birthplace of Texas — Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site – has festivities planned for the entire family this weekend.

We transform the park back into the early 1800s. We have costumed performers and interpreters walking around. Folks actually feel as though they’re back in the 1800s.

Beth Taylor, Executive Director of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, describes the site.

It is a 293 acre site, which encompasses Independence Hall, which is a replica of the original building, which was destroyed by fire. We also have The Star of the Republic Museum. This is the only museum dedicated to the Republic period of Texas.

Students who visit will discover a very familiar painting in the Star of the Republic Museum.

This appears in 95% of the textbooks that 4th and 7th grader read. It is the signing of the Texas Declaration. It’s really neat to hear these kids say “Hey Mom, that’s in my textbook!” And they get to see how big and how beautiful and bold that painting really is.

The Texas Independence Celebration is March 3rd and 4th from 10 until 5 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in Washington, Texas. Entrance fees for the weekend will be waived.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

This weekend observe the 171st anniversary of Texas Independence at the “Birthplace of Texas” Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site.

Washington, Texas, is the birthplace of Texas. It is where Texas independence was declared. The “Declaration of Independence” was drafted in just one day and it was signed unanimously on March 2nd, 1836.

Beth Taylor is Executive Director of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association.

What we do during that celebration each year is we transform the park back into the early 1800s, specifically the Republic period, which is 1836-1845. We have costumed performers and interpreters walking around. Folks actually feel as though they’re back in the 1800s.

Visit this Sunday and you’ll have your cake and eat it, too!

The highlight of the weekend celebration will be Sunday at 2pm- there will be an interactive ceremony. This event will be hosted by “The Eyes of Texas” Ron Stone. This ceremony will conclude with Texas’ largest birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

The Texas Independence Day Celebration is March 3rd and 4th from 10AM until 5PM. All entrance fees for the weekend have been waived. Find details at www.birthplaceoftexas.com .

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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