During the two day celebration, the 293 acre park along the Brazos River is transported back to the time when Texas was a sovereign nation. Costumed re-enactors and members of the Texas Army, along with skilled craftsmen and talented musicians, fill the park as Texas commemorates its inception. Statesmen of the era, such as Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Anson Jones, will be on hand to explain to visitors the importance of Texas Independence. At the Visitor’s Center, guests will be able to log onto the Park Association’s new web project, the Spirit of Independence. The interactive web site, just launched in January, will allow teachers and students access to the wealth of information and primary sources available at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. The Spirit of Independence has been the focus of a major fundraising effort, designed to increase awareness of the unique place Washington-on-the-Brazos holds in Texas history.
The Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos will open a new exhibit Independence Day weekend entitled “The First Texans: Living Green”. Included in the exhibit will be archaeological artifacts from the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Pottery and stone, bone and shell tools of the indigenous people who lived in Texas at the time of European contact will be on display. Also included in the exhibit will be woven netting, matting, basketry and sandals that were preserved in the dry rock shelters of West Texas.
The exhibit focuses on the subsistence strategies and use of natural resources by these early Texans. See the tools that they used to hunt, farm and fish. “The First Texans: Living Green” will be on exhibit from February 27 – August 31, 2010.

At 2:00, the Brazos Banditos Theatrical Troupe will perform at the Bullock Amphitheater. At 3:00, a Texas sized birthday cake will be served to audience members, with the help of the Washington County Historical Society Heritage Belles. The afternoon will end with a rousing performance by the No Foolin’ String Band.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site features three attractions that are open year round – Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum, and Barrington Living History Farm.
All admission fees will be waived during the celebration weekend! Food vendors selling variety of festival foods will be on site.
This event is made possible through funding from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Bluebonnet Electric Co-op..
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located between Brenham and Navasota off State Hwy. 105 and FM 1155, approximately one hour northwest of Houston.
Directions and more information are available online at www.birthplaceofTexas.com
or by calling 936-878-2214.