New Issue of The Medallion

The Summer 2013 issue of The Medallion, the Texas Historical Commission’s official quarterly magazine containing news and advice about preservation projects, Texas’ historic sites, and heritage tourism opportunities, is now accessible online.

Featured in this issue is an article about efforts to preserve El Camino Real de los Tejas – the Royal Road.  There is also an informative article about Big Bend Ranch State Park and expansion efforts at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.

This latest publication of The Medallion is accessible at either of the following links: http://www.thc.state.tx.us/medallion or http://issuu.com/texashistoricalcommission/docs/medallion-summer-2013.

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.

Celebrating the 1960s: An Unforgettable Decade

The Brazos Valley African American Museum will host a reception to “remember the sixties” on Friday, September 20, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the museum, located at 500 East Pruitt Street in Bryan, Texas 77803.

The decade of the sixties began with the elections of President John F. Kennedy in 1961, and it ended with a major war in Vietnam.  According to Velma Spivey, the museum’s director, “We will come together and share our stories about what happened in the mean time.  Come meet and greet and share your stories with us.”

Admission is completely free, but the museum does accept and appreciate donations. Refreshments will be served.  Come for a time of laughter, good conversation, and great memories.

Members of the Brazos Heritage Society are cordially invited to attend this interesting event.

Activities at Fanthorp Inn

The nearby Fanthorp Inn in Anderson, Texas, built in 1834 by English immigrant Henry Fanthorp as a home for his third wife, and later expanded in 1850 to serve as an inn and store, is a rich historical resource for the area.  The inn, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has several activities throughout the remainder of this year that members of the Brazos Heritage Society may find interesting.

  

On September 28, 2013, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, discover the music that inspired celebration and recreation in 19th century Texas with the program “Make Music a Celebration,” presented by the Roseville Fair Old Time String Band.

On October 12, 2013, visit the inn from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM for “Texian Days” and experience the origins of the Texas mystique.  What is the history and lore that gives Texans that special swagger and confidence?  How does being Texan somehow make us special and perhaps a bit more proud than most?  Poets, cowboys, and musicians will entertain as visitors’ tour the inn and have the unique opportunity to learn about travel and communications at one of Texas’ most authentically restored stagecoach inns.  Stepping onto the Fanthorp front porch is a passage into yesteryear as guides dressed in period clothes take visitors back to Texas in the 1850s.  It’s a special event the whole family will remember and enjoy.

On October 26, 2013, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, visit the inn for “Music for Henry’s Wake.”  The unfortunate death of Henry Fanthorp on October 31, 1867, proprietor of one of Texas’ most successful stagecoach inns, is a reminder of the fragile state of life in the 19th century.  This famous innkeeper and his wife were but a small portion of the souls who met their demise at Fanthorp’s inn.

On November 30, 2013, Fanthorp Inn celebrates the holiday season with a journey back to the 1850s in the evening from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  The old stagecoach inn will be open for a special “Twilight Firelight” holiday event.  Visitors will enjoy the ambiance of the candle lit inn, period music, stagecoach rides, chuck wagon cooking, carol singing and a host of living history characters.

Information about this historic inn may be found at the following links: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/fanthorp-inn and http://www.birthplaceoftexas.com/FanthorpInn.htm.

And for information about the planned events, visit the following link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/fanthorp-inn/park_events.

Feel free to call Tom Skaggs at (936) 878-2214 should additional information be desired.

New Issue of TSHA Riding Line Available

The Summer 2013 issue of Riding Line, the newsletter of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), is now available online.

Featured in this issue is material on the Handbook of African-American Texas, events supporting the Texas State Historical Association, publications, and educational programs.

To read this latest issue of Riding Line, visit the following link: http://www.tshaonline.org/sites/default/files/images/events/2011/riding_line_summer_2013_final.pdf.

Additional information about the TSHA may be found at the following link: http://www.tshaonline.org.