Star of the Republic Museum
Notes
Vol. 29: No. 4
2004
The Know Nothing Platform
Know Nothing? Sounds like the platforms of some of todayʼs political parties. In the recent campaigns, some of
the candidates truly seemed to “know nothing.” At least that is the impression one got from their opponents.
However, in the mid 1800s, a political party known as the Know Nothings stormed into existence and called for
radical changes in the American government. This controversial party advocated the so-called “rights” of native
born, Protestant, male voters. By 1845, newcomers to the United States numbered more than 100,000 per year, and
this steady surge in immigration spurred a fear and distrust of foreigners. The most frequently targeted groups were
the Irish and the Germans, who were often disease-ridden and impoverished upon arrival into the United States.
The Know Nothings began as a secret society. Although the existence of the party was generally acknowledged,
any inquiry by an outsider regarding its purpose or membership was met with the answer: “I donʼt know.” Members
took an oath never to reveal facts about the organization. The Know Nothing Platform included these main tenets:
“1.) Repeal of all naturalization laws; 2.) None but Native Americans for office; 3.) A pure American common
school system; 4.) War to the hilt, on political Romanism; 5.) More stringent and effective Emigration Laws.”
The life of the Know Nothing Party in Texas was brief but influential. Successes in the 1854 and 1855 local elections in Austin and Galveston encouraged a run at other state offices. A covert meeting took place on June 11, 1855
at Washington-on-the-Brazos, under the guise of a “river improvement convention.”
Cartoon supporting the Know Nothing charge that Irish and German
immigrants were stealing American elections.
The Granger Collection, New York
At the convention, nominees were selected for several
state offices. Word of the Know Nothing convention
quickly spread across the state, and caused great alarm
to the Democratic Party. Due to the fragmentation of
the Whig party over the issue of slavery, the Democrats
did not expect any serious opposition in the 1855 election. Even Sam Houston was intrigued by the party, and
although he never officially joined the Know Nothings,
he supported many of their views. In the 1855 election,
the Texas Know Nothings successfully voted into office
over a dozen legislators and one United States Congressman. Although their candidates failed miserably in the
1856 general election, their presence served as a catalyst
for the Democratic Party to become a better-organized
political machine. By 1857, the Know Nothings in Texas
had virtually disappeared, but not without having made
a significant impact on Texas politics.
Kids Say the Darndest Things!
by Anne McGaugh, Curator of Education
The fall school tour season has begun at the museum. As the eager little faces come through the door,
we know it is our job to instill into each one of them a love of history. As we walk through the exhibits
with the students, we usually ask questions to determine what the students already know about Texas
history. The answers are usually predictable, but every now and then, we get an answer that is priceless!
I would like to share a few of these with you to provide a little chuckle in your day—
Q: “Who was Sam Houston?”
A: “The guy they named San Antonio after!”
Q: “Who were the first Texans?”
A: “Adam and Eve!” “The Pilgrims!”
Q: “What language did the Tejanos speak?”
A: “Tejanian!” “Tejanese!”
Q: “Christopher Columbus came from what
country?”
A: “Tennessee!”
Q: “This is a statue of what famous person?”
(Correct answer—Sam Houston)
A: “Jesus!” “George Bush!”
“George Washington!”
Q: “This is a statue of what famous person?”
(Correct answer—Stephen F. Austin)
A: “Elvis!”
Q: “The first towns in Texas were built close to a
river, for transportation purposes. For example,
this is “Washington-on-the-what???”
A: “River!”
Q: “Many people came to Texas in the early 1800s
looking for something that was real cheap.
What were they looking for?”
(Correct answer—land)
A: “Spices!” “Chocolate!”
Q: “What did the Indians eat?”
A: “Indian food!”
Museum Expands its Audience
The Star of the Republic Museum recently installed an exhibit entitled, “The Other Texas Presidents,” in the main
lobby of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at Texas A&M University in College Station. From 1836
to 1845, the Republic of Texas maintained its sovereignty, and four men served as chief executive of the Republic. The new exhibit highlights the lives of ad interim President David G. Burnet, and Presidents Sam Houston,
Mirabeau B. Lamar, and Anson Jones.
To enhance their stories, several documents and objects relevant to these individuals are included in the exhibit.
A copy of the 1836 Treaty of Velasco, signed by David G. Burnet and Antonio López de Santa Anna after Santa
Annaʼs capture at San Jacinto, is an important document exhibited from Burnetʼs administration. Also displayed
is a copy of Sam Houstonʼs instructions to Indian agents, enumerating the criteria and qualifications necessary
for a good agent, which reflect his concerns over Indian relations. From Mirabeau B. Lamar, known as the “Poet
President,” a number of poems are displayed from the 1825 commonplace book of Sarah Rossetter, whom he was
courting at the time. Lastly, a copy of Anson Jonesʼ Memoranda and Official Correspondence Relating to the
Republic of Texas, Its History and Annexation, published in 1859, completes the exhibit.
Star of the Republic Museum is an MFA Grant Recipient
The Star of the Republic Museum is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a $72,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for a proposed digitization project. The Museum is one of seven in
Texas and 190 throughout the nation receiving awards totaling$16,406,694 from the largest IMLS grant program
for museums, Museums for America (MFA).
As with most museums, the Star of the Republic Museum has many items in its collections that may never be seen
by visitors. This is partly due to the regular rotation of exhibits and of light sensitive objects such as textiles and
documents. It is also due to the fact that museums are repositories for our cultural heritage with the responsibility
of preserving and protecting their collections for the public. That is, there are many more items being protected
than what can be exhibited.
One way to make these collections and the information about them more accessible to the public—while at the
same time preserving the objects from excessive handling and exposure—is through digital imaging. For a rural
museum like the Star of the Republic, digital images uploaded to the Internet will provide the dual benefits of
reaching a larger audience and making its collections more accessible.
Curator of Collections and Exhibits, Dr. Shawn Carlson, will coordinate this two-year project. Student workers will
assist in photographing the 3,000+ objects in the Museumʼs collections which include everything from furniture,
clothing, tools, and tableware, to personal items such as eyeglasses, snuff boxes, and jewelry. Approximately
1,800 documents will be scanned in-house and 300 oversize documents will be outsourced.
Internet access to the digital images will be implemented by the University of North Texasʼ Digital Projects
Department. Images of the Museumʼs collections will be accessible from the Museumʼs website as well as the
“Portal to Texas History Project” at the University of North Texas. Future plans include development of virtual
exhibits for the Museumʼs website.
New Acquisition
Recent acquisitions by the Museum include this baby
“tender,” reminiscent of todayʼs baby “walkers,” but
without the wheels. It is solidly constructed of wood and
designed to protect little ones from all sorts of household
dangers, particularly open fires. Standing 56 cm high, it
is equipped with a tray to hold toys or food. Remnants
of buttermilk red paint are visible on the slats. The
paint, made from a mixture of milk, lime, clay, and earth
pigments, was used throughout history and prior to the
availability of water-based paints. A well-worn base and
an assortment of wire nails, cut nails, and wrought nails
are witness to its long period of use, beginning in the first
quarter of the nineteenth century.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6
Washington, TX
77880
Star of the Republic Museum
Notes
P. O. Box 317 Washington, Texas 77880
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Schedule of Upcoming Events
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
December 1–23 Christmas in the Republic
Star of the Republic Museum
Learn about Christmas from a multicultural display in
the Showers-Brown Discovery Center for children. Explore the contributions of the German, English, African
American, and Hispanic cultures to the Texas holiday
traditions.
December 10 & 11 Candlelight Christmas
Barrington Living History Farm/Conference Center
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Come share a traditional Christmas with the Anson
Jones family at their annual gathering of friends and
neighbors. You will also be able to experience a recreation of the Constitutional Convention of 1836.
December 24–January 2
Museum closed
January 3–31 Anson Jones: President & Physician
Star of the Republic Museum
Throughout the month, the museum will display documents and artifacts related to Dr. Anson Jones in the
Showers-Brown Discovery Center for children.
February 1–27 Black History Month
Star of the Republic Museum
The museum will have a display in the Showers-Brown
Discovery Center focusing on the history of African
Americans with a connection to the Republic period.
Texas Independence Day
Each year, Washington-on-the-Brazos celebrates Texas
Independence Day on the weekend closest to March 2.
When March 2 falls on a Wednesday, as it does in 2005,
the Park Association decides which weekend to designate
for the celebration. The weekend of March 5–6 has been
selected for the 2005 celebration. Join us for the 169th
anniversary of Texasʼ declaration of independence from
Mexico. Historic craft demonstrators and reenactors will
bring the Republic period to life. Admission to all the
sites in the park will be free.
STAR OF THE REPUBLIC
MUSEUM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
936-878-2461 (fax) 936-878-2462
website: http://www.starmuseum.org
e-mail address: [email protected]
Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Houston McGaugh
Curator of Collections & Exhibits . . . . . .Shawn Carlson
Curator of Education & Editor . . . . . . . Anne McGaugh
Public Programs Coordinator . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . Sara Keil
Museum Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effie Wellmann
Articles may be reprinted
with permission.