It’s Party Time with History for Young and Old with the 225th Anniversary Celebration of Stephen F. Austin’s Birth At San Felipe November 3—And It’s FREE

Texans are no strangers to celebrating special occasions and when you reflect on someone as great as Stephen F. Austin (aka the Father of Texas) celebrating a birthday, you can be guaranteed that it’s going to be a “Texas-size” superb gathering with hands-on programs for all, living history demonstrations including surveying and printing activities, guest authors and lecturers, thematic tours of the grounds, the museum, and much more.  All of these events are scheduled in one location (rain or shine)-at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe, Texas at 220 2nd Street on Saturday, November 3 from 9 am to 6 pm and because it’s such a special day, there is absolutely no charge involved for entry or activities (donations are welcome)!  Additionally, the visitor has a chance to win a very special gift.

Guests at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site can sign up for a chance to win a replica of the famous ring given to Lt. Col. William Barret Travis by his sweetheart Rebecca Cumings before his fate at the Alamo.  It is a replica hammered gold ring with a black cat’s eye stone that Travis gave to a little baby girl (babe of the Alamo), Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson for safe keeping on March 6, 1836.  He took the ring off his finger, tied it on a string and slipped it over Angelina’s head like a necklace saying “If my boy was here, I’d give this to him.  But I won’t be needing it anymore, so you keep it for me.”  General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna spared her life and the original ring is on display at the Alamo.  The drawing will be held at closing November 3, 2018 and you need not be present to win.

The site and museum are open every day from 9 am until 5 pm and is one of 22 state historic sites operated by the Texas Historical Commission.  This celebration is the first “history” event hosted at the site since the April opening of the new museum facilities and an awesome way to wrap up the Texas Archeology Month as the site completes active excavation work near the museum.  To commemorate Austin’s stories (as well as the settlers), this event offers themed programming related to the historical events from 1821-1836.

The headquarters of Stephen F. Austin’s Colony was in Mexican, Texas and San Felipe de Austin played a pivotal role in the arrival of American settlers and the ultimate story of independence.  This community has deep roots to events that took place with all of the prominent Texas Revolution sites (including the Alamo) and served as a political, economic, and social crossroads to early Texas.  Stories and activities will guide the visitors into a special chapter of Texas history.  Early celebrations stem as far back as the 1920’s.  This event is hosted by the Friends of the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and support from Walmart as well as the Mark A. Chapman Foundation.

Showcased in this event are:

* Teams in historic clothing (and using period implements) participating in a surveying course drill based on a surveyor’s test from the 1830’s.

* Author and presenters offering customized tours and sharing their expertise.

* Interpretive stations (about 15) will include hands-on activities.

* Staged and timed grounds tours will be available.

* Stations with programs on events in Stephen F. Austin’s life during his years in Texas will cover personal, professional, and political aspects.

* Special archeology-themed activities and tours will “wrap up” the Texas Archeology Month

* The museum will conduct tours and the museum shop will be open for those special gifts.

Any questions regarding the 225th Anniversary Celebration of Stephen F. Austin’s birth at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site on 220 2nd Street in San Felipe on Saturday, November 3 from 9 am to 6 pm may be directed to Peggy Spradley, Executive Director, Sealy Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau at 979-885-3222, sealycoc@sbcglobal.net, www.sealychamber.com, or www.visitsealy.com.