The Blinn College District’s Star of the Republic Museum celebrates the arrival of fall by encouraging visitors to revel in the Lone Star State’s storied past during its annual Night at the Museum on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Located at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Star of the Republic’s Night at the Museum will feature wagon rides, a flashlight museum tour with live exhibits, and tavern tales beginning at 6:30pm.
“This annual event is a unique way for visitors to learn about Texas history and immerse themselves in the state’s road to independence,” said Donna Barker, visitor services coordinator for the museum. “As dusk falls, characters come to life and share their stories about the farm’s history and witnessing Texas’ birth as an independent nation.”
This year’s Night at the Museum includes an evening wagon ride that takes visitors around the Barrington Plantation State Historic Site. Founded by Dr. Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas, the home site supported the Jones family for over a decade as they built a successful cotton farm after Texas joined the Union. The farm currently features period-costumed interpreters using 19th-century farming practices for planting, cultivating, harvesting, and working with livestock. Wagon rides will run until 8pm, weather permitting, and last 10 minutes.
Tours of the Star of the Republic Museum begin when the lights dim and the exhibits come to life with live characters telling the story of the Texas Republic. Visitors are encouraged to bring flashlights to explore the museum’s more than 1,000 artifacts and meet historic characters, including early Texas settlers, a riverboat captain, French sailor, and Texas Ranger.
Guests also can visit a nearby tavern, where they may encounter residents from the Old Washington cemetery telling tales of their lives in the 1800s.
This family friendly attractions are designed for museum visitors of all ages.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children ages six and under. Blinn students and employees can receive free admission with a current Blinn ID.
Star of the Republic Museum was created by the Texas Legislature and is administered by the Blinn College District as a cultural and educational institution. Its purpose is to collect and preserve the material culture of the Texas Republic from 1836-1846 and to interpret the history, cultures, diversity, and values of early Texans.
The museum is located off Highway 105 between Brenham and Navasota on FM 1155 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Daily museum hours are 10am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.starmuseum.org or call (936) 878-2461.
