Washington-on-the-Brazos Celebrates 190 Years of Texas Independence

It was 190 years ago at Washington-on-the-Brazos when 59 delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico, birthing a new nation on the North American continent.

That event on March 2, 1836, will be celebrated Feb. 27-28 at Washingtonon- the-Brazos State Historic Site which recently reopened following a major two-year renovation project. Returning to join in the celebration will be the Texas Army, the Texas Revolution reenactment group. The Texas Army will make camp near the renovated and remodeled Star of the Republic Museum where guests can explore camp life in 1836 and see musket and cannon firing demonstrations.

Members of the Texas Army dressed in period attire will be available to visit with guests, answer questions and pose for pictures. Firing demonstrations will take place Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will host homeschool groups on Friday, Feb. 27, followed that evening by a new experience, Echoes of Independence: A Lantern Tour from 6-9 p.m. On the candlelit, lantern tour visitors will witness historic scenes surrounding the creation of a new nation. Meet David Crockett during his stay in Washington on his way to the Alamo. Speak with George C. Childress as he works on the Declaration of Independence. Watch the growing friendship of Lorenzo de Zavala and William Fairfax Gray and experience the drama and chaos of the Runaway Scrape. All of these things will take place among the night time backdrop of the newly created Washington Townsite Experience.

The site be open free to the public on Saturday, Feb. 28. The opening festivities at 10:30 a.m. includes a parade down Ferry Street to the Hall and Lott Tavern. The Texas Army will take up a firing line across the street from the Tavern to conclude the ceremony.

Guests can explore the Washington Townsite Experience with recreated historical buildings and then tour the completely remodeled Star of the Republic Museum. Featured in the museum is a special display of the Ark of the Covenant of the Texas Declaration of Independence, a box made of wood from the original Independence Hall.

For more information, visit wheretexasbecametexas.org.