Events Scheduled at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site

Scheduled over the next two months are events at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe, Texas – the Colonial Capital of Texas – that may be of interest to members of the Brazos Heritage Society.

Texas Archeology Month Programs

In support of Texas Archeology Month, San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site is hosting weekend programming throughout October related to archeology at the site. Structured programs/talks will be held at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  In addition to these programs, hands-on activities for all ages, such as identifying and sorting artifacts, will also be offered.  Also, at the conclusion of each program session, a brief grounds tour of the site will be offered, focusing on the layout of the commerce district.

October 5 and 6, 2013

“Telling the Story of a San Felipe Artifact: Godwin B. Cotten and the Letter K”

October 12 and 13, 2013

“The Burning of San Felipe and the Architectural Remains of the Town”

October 19 and 20, 2013

“Telling the Story of a San Felipe Artifact: Cut Money in Austin’s Colony”

October 26 and 27, 2013

“Predicting the Past: Using the Historical Record to Assess the Archeological Landscape at Colonial San Felipe de Austin”

Heritage Celebration – Father of Texas Birthday

On Saturday, November 2, 2013, there will be a celebration of Stephen F. Austin’s birthday at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe, Texas.  The community has celebrated this event for over 80 years. This event is sponsored by Friends of the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and the Texas Historical Commission.  While admission is free, donations are always accepted.

At this event, which will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM, there will be special activities, presentations, demonstrations, and reenactments.  Topics for this year’s Father of Texas festivities include: colonial printing history and archeology related to Godwin B. Cotten’s print shop (this will also be a topic for October); a tour of the colonial footprint of San Felipe; the residents of San Felipe (who lived here both broadly, and in terms of historical figures); Two-bits! Four-bits . . . Cut Money in Austin’s Colony; The Consultation of 1835; Spanish Texas documentary; City of Houston documentary; hand set printing demonstrations; colonial games; historic surveying and the colonial land office; Bernardo Plantation; and Meet the Old 300 (at least a dozen or so).

For groups of 10 or more, a structure itinerary based on specific interests can be customized.

In addition, the congregation of the local historic Methodist church stages a plate lunch on Saturday.  Reservations are recommended; there is a fee for the lunch.

Driving Directions

The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site is located at 15945 FM 1458 in San Felipe, Texas.  It is 48 miles west of Houston, IH 10, exit 723, and only a few miles east of Sealy. 

If driving from the Bryan-College Station area, the best route is to take TX-6 South to just north of Hempstead.  Merge onto US-290 East/TX-6 South, and then merge onto FM-359 South toward Brookshire.  Upon arriving at Pattison, turn right onto FM-1458.  Travel on FM-1458 for about 7.7 miles.  Upon crossing the Brazos River into Austin County, the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site will be on the right.

For additional information, feel free to contact Bryan McAuley at bryan.mcauley@thc.state.tx.us or call (979) 885-2181.