Washington on the Brazos

State Historic Site

From humble beginnings a Nation was born

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, situated on nearly 300 picturesque acres along the lush banks of the Brazos River, transports visitors back in time to the frontier days where the idealistic dream of Texas becoming an independent nation became a reality. This historic site offers a unique glimpse and insight into the lives and times of the brave and immortal 59 delegates, who, in the midst of a bloody revolution, boldly assembled in a humble building on March 2, 1836 to formally declare Texas’ independence from Mexico. William Barret Travis, in a letter that was received in Washington on the day the Alamo fell, reiterated his determination to fiht to the death. Travis implored convention delegates to finish their work, saying, “…let the convention go on and make a declaration of independence and we will then understand and the world will understand what we are fihting for. If independence is not declared, I shall lay down my arms and so shall the men under my command.” The delegates finishedtheir work as Santa Anna and his army marched eastward, to capture and kill the political leaders of the rebellion. The work the delegates accomplished before abandoning Washington changed the world forever. Due to these heroes’ actions and the perilous sacrifies they endured, the Republic of Texas was born and proudly existed as an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. No other state in the United States can match Texas’ proud heritage. Washington on the Brazos is truly the place “Where Texas Became Texas.”

Attractions

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site has many exciting attractions for its daily visitors. The grounds of this historic site include Independence Hall, Barrington Plantation, the Star of the Republic Museum and Visitor Center and Museum Store, just a few miles away, Fanthorp Inn in Anderson. A replica of Independence Hall – the simple building where delegates convened – is the centerpiece of the site. The original Independence Hall, which also served as a town hall, district court, school, dance hall, and storage building was dismantled around 1850 and replaced with grander buildings as the town grew. Built on the original footprint, the replica stands true, complete with white oak walls, floo, and ceiling, along with open window frames. The hall’s windows were on order in March of 1836 but did not arrive in time to keep the freezing temperatures at bay. Barrington Plantation interprets Brazos Valley farm life circa 1850. Anson Jones, a medical doctor, cotton planter and politician, served as the finalpresident of the Republic of Texas before it joined the United States in 1845, lived with his family in the plantation’s fourroom, dog-trot home for 13 years. Originally built four miles away, the home was moved to the historic site in 1936. Visitors can tour the house’s downstairs rooms as well as other farm structures, including the enslaved quarters, barn, cotton cribs, hog pen, and smokehouse. Barrington’s historical interpreters show life the way it was lived in the 1850’s. They farm cotton the old-fashioned way, with ox, plow, and wagon. A noisy flok of guinea hens roams the lawn around the farmhouse, squawking mightily.

Between Independence Hall and Barrington you will findanother key attraction at Washington on the Brazos, the Star of the Republic Museum. The museum is the only one in Texas with a focus on the time period that Texas was an independent nation. It chronicles life in early Texas with artifacts such as Bowie knives, cotton bales, Spanish spears, and French spittoons. Some of the Museum’s most fascinating artifacts from the Texas Republic period include a faded flagthought to be the oldest with the Lone Star symbol, a bobbin whittled by Sam Houston, and a handwritten invitation to a March 2, 1837, Washington on the Brazos event, “in a celebration of our own National Independence.” The Visitor Center features interactive exhibits where a phenomenal historical timeline of the events during the Texas Revolution is on display, along with many other informational and illustrative exhibits and artifacts. Within the Visitor Center is the spacious Washington Emporium Museum Store, where Texas-themed items, such as replica flas, documents, maps, prints, apparel and souvenirs offered to display your Texas pride can be purchased along with snacks and beverages. A little way down the road in Anderson, sits the historical Fanthorp Inn, a wonderfully preserved 19th century stagecoach inn. Key fiures and Texas leaders, including Sam Houston, frequented the Fanthorp Inn during their journeys to and from Washington on the Brazos.

Events

The site has an incredible year-round schedule of educational events, activities and programs. Living History Saturday is the third Saturday of each month. In addition to weekly events, there are several major events scheduled throughout the year. The annual Texas Independence Day Celebration takes place on the weekend closest to March 2, Texas Independence Day. The celebration offers a glimpse of what life in Texas was like circa 1836 through musical performances featuring banjos, fiddles,and dulcimers; demonstrations of traditional crafts such as pottery, woodworking, and quilting; living-history military reenactments by the Texian army; and a theatrical play about the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The various cultures that helped create our unique state are showcased as well, including mariachi bands, Polish dancers, Gospel quartets, Irish Dancers, German bands and more. Other major events scheduled throughout the year include: • Juneteenth Heritage Celebration (Saturday after June 19) • Bark in the Park (last Saturday of September) • Night at the Museum (Saturday before Halloween) • Twilight Firelight at Fanthorp Inn (Saturday after Thanksgiving) • Christmas on the Brazos (fist weekend of December) At this historic site, considered to be the cradle of Texas Independence, visitors not only hear the vivid stories of what life was like in the days before Texas Became Texas, but will be captivated by the real-life experiences depicted by interpretive reenactment characters who provide historical narratives and hands-on demonstrations that literally transport you back in time. It is our proud honor and duty to pass onto future generations the legendary tales of those who risked their lives to transform Texas from a sovereign state under an oppressive Mexican dictatorship to its own nation; and finall, into the greatest state in the United States. Only then can those who come after us fully understand the distinction of what it means to be a Texan and treasure our rich history.