Texas Heroes Day Going Virtual On September 19

Texas Heroes Day 2020 is going virtual. The Texas Historical Commission, in partnership with the Friends of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill State Historic Sites, will host a series of internet-accessible programs and activities to commemorate the Texas History of Monument Hill. Monument Hill State Historic Sites memorializes Republic of Texas soldiers who died during the ill-fated Dawson and Mier Expeditions (1842-1843). Texas Heroes Day evolved out of earlier commemorations to honor those who defended the Republic of Texas and to pay tribute to the Texas men and women who have served in the military.

Virtual Texas Heroes Day will take place on Saturday, September 19. Content will debut on the Sites’ Facebook page; however, programs and activities will be reposted on the event webpage, www.friendsofkreischebrewery.org/texasheroesday.

The day’s programming will begin with recorded video greetings from Sites Manager Dr. Marsha Hendrix, Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Mark Wolf, and Fayette County Judge Joe Weber. A live-streamed wreath ceremony will follow and include a musket salute by Texas history reenactors. The Site will debut a new video, “The Men of Dawson and Mier: In their Own Words,” which highlights firsthand accounts of the Dawson and Mier Expeditions.

In the afternoon, partner history organizations will share virtual tours and presentations from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas-Monument Hill Chapter, Fayette County Museum & Archives, Fayette County Historical Commission, Historic N.W. Faison House, La Grange Main Street, and the Texas Heroes Museum. Winners of the Friends-sponsored student art and creative writing contest will also be announced.

Virtual guests are also encouraged to participate in social media programs and activities during the week preceding Texas Heroes Day, September 12-18. Sites staff and volunteers will share daily social media posts about the history of Monument Hill, the Dawson Massacre, and the Mier Expedition. Families will also enjoy a series of activities that can be done at home including pioneer games, activity sheets, and historic recipes.

Texas Heroes Day 2020 is sponsored by the Sons of the Republic of Texas-Monument Hill Chapter, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas-Monument Hill Chapter, the Friends of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill State Historic Sites, and Reba’s Deli and Pizzeria.

For more information, please visit www.friendsofkreischebrewery.org/texasheroesday and follow @kreischebrewerymonumenthill on Facebook.