By Shelbi LeMeilleur
We had just come home when someone saw the letter on the table. The contents were shocking as we learned of all the events that had begun to unfold. The seven of us scrambled, trying to gather up all the necessary supplies, load the wagon, and escape the approaching Mexican Army led by the notorious Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
We stood in our bonnets gathering all the necessities for our upcoming trip across Texas, but no, we weren’t in 1836. Instead, the INSITE Magazine staff travelled to Washington-on-the-Brazos to work our way through the Texas-themed escape room at Blinn College’s Star of the Republic Museum. Joined by the museum’s Curator of Collections Stephanie Klemm, we had to solve puzzles and interpret clues to help us escape during the oft-overlooked Runaway Scrape events in Texas history.
“The Runaway Scrape was not as well-known as the Alamo,” explains Lisa Berg, curator of education at the Star of the Republic Museum. In fact, the purpose of the escape room is not just for people to have fun and solve puzzles. It was designed so that anyone can enjoy it, while learning about Texas history.
“We wanted it to be a thing that families can do together, friends can do together,” says Berg. “They can work together and learn together.”
Prior knowledge of Texas history is not required, which is part of the appeal. You can learn as you go, but still be able to solve the puzzles. Additionally, if you pre-register online, Berg will send an email with tips and tidbits.
Our group came to the museum with mixed Texas history knowledge. While some of us barely remembered back to our school days and others of us had it fresh in the back of our minds, we were still able to work together to solve the clues and work our way through the escape room.
Berg worked with Escape Room B/CS when designing the Runaway Scrape Escape Room for the museum. One of the biggest things she says she wanted to incorporate was the ability to use props they already had on hand.
On a normal day, the escape room is actually the pioneer playroom at the museum, where kids can come and experience the pioneer days themselves. Every third Saturday of the month, the museum flips the room using the same props to become the Runaway Scrape Escape Room. Additionally, Berg designed a lot of the puzzles and storyline herself.
“The theme really lent itself because you’re escaping Santa Anna,” Berg says. “We also wanted it to be linear, so each clue leads to another clue.”
Because the escape room follows linear clues, it’s easier for groups to know when they are stuck, instead of trying to search the room for another hidden secret. A museum staff member is present in the room at all times, both for safety and to provide hints when needed. The museum also offers a “bonus” hint if participants get into character by wearing a hat — something we jumped at the chance to do.
If you can successfully follow the clues and gather all your supplies in less than 45 minutes, you’re able to escape not only the room, but also Santa Anna’s clutches. Even if you don’t make it out in time, Berg says everyone seems to have a great time.
“Families can come out and do this together,” says Berg. Although kids have to be at least 10 years old, she says the museum has welcomed groups of all ages and walks of life. It’s also a great inter-generational activity. “There’s not a lot of activities grandparents can do with kids.” Berg says one of her favorite things to do is watch how people interact with each other, especially when the kids are the ones correctly solving the clues, not the adults.
The Runaway Scrape Escape Room is only open the third Saturday of every month. Online registration is recommended, but not required. The escape room is $15 for adults and $13 for children and includes admission to the museum. Visitors also have the option of purchasing a Brazos Pass, which offers access to the entirety of the Washington-on-the-Brazos park, for $19 for adults and $16 for children. Visit www.starmuseum.org for more information.
