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Touring Texas Treasures

Brenham

Birthplace of Texas

Just over an hour’s drive west of Houston, Brenham is a small Texas town with big history. One of the area’s chief attractions is Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, where representatives from around Texas met in 1836 to declare their independence from Mexico.

There wasn’t much in Brenham at that time — Texas founders chose the location because it was a safe distance from Mexican troops in San Antonio. Today’s visitors can see a re-creation of the unfinished gunsmith’s shed where the delegates met and hear stories about the events that led to Texas’ secession.

Also on the site is the Star of the Republic Museum, which features historic artifacts from various stages of Texas’ past, and a living-history farm where interpreters demonstrate 19th-century agricultural life for visitors.

While you’re there: Brenham and Washington County are situated squarely in the middle of Texas ranching country, and visitors can experience a bit of the cowboy’s life at various guest ranches in the area that offer horseback rides, chuck wagon cookouts and other Western experiences.

www.visitbrenhamtexas.com

 

Austin

The Story of Texas

After learning about the establishment of Texan independence in Brenham, groups continue to Austin, Texas’ capital city, where the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum gives them a deeper look into what it means to be a Texan.

Located near the Capitol, this museum was created by the state Legislature in 2001 and borrows exhibit items from around the state and around the world to present key themes from Texas history. Visitors will find engrossing exhibits on ranching, spanning from the Mission period to modern times, as well as on subjects like immigration, oil and notable Texans from throughout history.

Artifacts often displayed at the museum include a 28-star flag flown when Texas entered the Union as the 28th state and the first integrated circuit created by Texas Instruments.

While you’re there: Austin’s music scene has grown to become legendary, with more than 100 venues around the city staging live shows every night. And fans of presidential history should make time to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum on the campus of University of Texas at Austin.

www.austintexas.org