Star of the Republic Museum
Notes
Vol. 37: No.1
2012
A Slice of Life: Washington in the 19th Century
Exhibit Opening
The thriving town of Washington, Texas played a vital role in the formation of the Republic of Texas. Its claim to
fame, of course, is that it was the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in
1836. Other than that, its history has faded into near oblivion, its story long forgotten. The Star of the Republic
Museum brings the spotlight back to Washington with the opening of a new exhibit, A Slice of Life: Washington
in the 19th Century, on March 2, 2012.
Built on a bluff overlooking the Brazos River, Washington’s population grew as travelers came down the La Bahia Road, a centuries-old trail used by Spaniards and Indians. The shallow ford was made easier when Andrew
Robinson established a ferry operation in 1821. In 1830 he advertised in the Texas State Gazette that there was
a “house of Entertainment within a few yards of said Ferry, where travelers, and others with their horses, may be
comfortably accommodated.” By 1834, lots had been platted and sold in the town; two years later, it became a
municipality. The town prospered as taverns, hotels, merchants, and professional offices sprouted along Ferry
Street. Cotton commerce increased rapidly with trade downriver.
For twenty years, Washington was a vibrant community, until its leaders rejected an offer from the Houston and
Texas Central Railroad to link to its rail system. Residents believed that river commerce along the Brazos would
continue to be successful and would sustain the town. They were sadly mistaken! Citizens moved away to be
closer to the rail line, and the population fell from 750 in 1856 to 175 in 1884.
A Slice of Life: Washington in the 19th Century will focus on the early citizens of Washington and their everyday
lives in the town at its heyday. The exhibit will be open through December, 2012.
Washington, Texas circa 1860, Marcus Mallard Collection, Star of the Republic Museum
A Fond Farewell
For the last 20 years, husband and wife team Bob Heinonen and Elizabeth
Seibert have been instrumental in bringing Texas history to life at the annual
Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos. They
have performed countless times on the stage at the Star of the Republic
Museum both as William Barret Travis/Susannah Dickinson and Stephen F.
Austin/Mary Austin Holley. Every performance had an overflow audience as
crowds clamored to see their inspiring presentations. When Bob ended his
dramatic portrayal of William Barret Travis with a powerful “Remember the
Alamo!” every person in the audience felt a shiver down their spine! Sadly,
this year marks the final opportunity to see this powerful duo on the stage.
Bob and Elizabeth are hanging up their costumes and calling it quits. “I’ve
spent the last 26 years being ten different people. Now that I’ve grown up,
it’s time for me to figure out who I am,” Bob said. “Elizabeth may find she
is married to a whole different person, but then she’s gotten used to that!”
Born and raised in Minnesota, Bob moved to Dallas in 1970 for a better opportunity in his field of computer software engineering. Elizabeth is a native
Texan. In 1986, during the Texas Sesquicentennial, Elizabeth suggested
Bob volunteer for the Dallas Historical Society’s new Lone Star Adventure
program. His assignment was to portray William Barret Travis, Commander of The Alamo, for Sesquicentennial
events, and Elizabeth performed as Susannah Dickinson.
In 1990, Bob and Elizabeth were two of the founders of Texana Living History Association, a non-profit corporation. Bob guided and promoted Texana to become “one of the leading forces in the state in the teaching of Texas
history.” In March, 2001, Bob fulfilled a dream by forming Texas Heroes, a professional troupe of historians/actors
who portray heroes and heroines in the first-person. In 2009, Texas Heroes also became known as Heroes Of
History because of its expansion into history outside Texas.
Bob has performed as William Barret Travis, Stephen F. Austin, Old Rip Ford, Charles Goodnight, George Durham,
Patrick Henry and Isaac Cline. Bob also created a one-man Christmas program called “A Cowboy’s Christmas”
and, in 2010 he began his recreation of “Charles Dickens Reads A Christmas Carol.” In addition to Susannah
Dickinson, Elizabeth has performed as Mary Austin Holley and “The Cattle Queen of Texas, Lizzie Johnson.
In 26 years, Bob has performed for over 400 schools and 220 retirement communities. By the time Bob
concludes his performances, he will have performed over 2,800 times. He has performed for literally hundreds
of thousands of people and two generations of students. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Bob and Elizabeth in
their final performances, March 3-4 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
“Girl Scout Day” at Star of the Republic Museum
The Star of the Republic Museum at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site presents “Girl Scout
Day” for Junior Girl Scouts in the Girl Scouts of Central Texas area. Juniors can fulfill the requirements
for the “Playing the Past” Girl Scout Badge.
Join us Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. to learn about life in the Republic of Texas.
After the program, visit our other sites to learn more about the past at Independence Hall and Barrington
Living History Farm. All Girl Scouts who wear their vest or sash will receive the discounted rate of $1 per
scout per site. Adult fee will be $5 for 1 site or $9 for multiple sites. Please check in at the Star of the
Republic Museum for tickets. Call 936-878-2461, ext. 236 for reservations. Space is limited!
Texas Independence Day Celebration
176th Anniversary of the Signing of the
Texas Declaration of Independence
Performance schedule
for
Star of the Republic Museum
Saturday, March 3, 2012
11:00 am Texas Heroes Living History……………………….…Museum Theater
(William Barret Travis & Susanna Dickinson)
12:30 pm
Republic of Texas Art Contest Awards………..…….Museum Theater
1:30 pm Texas Heroes Living History………………………….Museum Theater
(Stephen F. Austin & Mary Austin Holley)
3:30 pm
Texas Heroes Living History.…………………………Museum Theater
(William Barret Travis & Susanna Dickinson)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
11:00 am
Texas Heroes Living History……………………….…Museum Theater
(Stephen F. Austin & Mary Austin Holley)
1:30 pm
Aggie Wranglers…………..………………….......………..Amphitheater
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY PROGRAM……………………………..Amphitheater
2:00 pm
Opening Remarks by John Fultz, President,
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association
2:15 pm
Remarks by Texas State Representative, Lois Kolkhorst
2:25 pm
William Barret Travis, portrayed by Bob Heinonen
3:00 pm
Roll call of Descendants of the Signers of the Texas
Declaration of Independence, by Sam Houston,
portrayed by Jack Edmondson
3:15 pm
Texas-sized Birthday Cake & Blackpowder Salute
4:00 pm
Texas Heroes Living History……………………….….Museum Theater
(Sam Houston)
Throughout the weekend, the Park will be filled with living historians recreating the everyday life, chores
and activities of Texian settlers and soldiers. Visitors can experience small arms and artillery firing demonstrations, historic craft demonstrations, musicians, and free admission to all sites in the Park.
Upon arrival, see Event Program for additional activities and information
Star of the Republic Museum
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6
Washington, TX
77880
Notes
P. O. Box 317 Washington, Texas 77880
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Brazos Valley Regional History Fair
The seventh Brazos Valley Regional History Fair was
held on February 10 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The
Museum gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors:
FOUNDERS $400+
• Washington on the Brazos State Park Association
• Lorene Jackson
• Blinn College
• Star of the Republic Museum
• Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
DELEGATES $250+
• Brazos County Historical Commission
• Brazos Heritage Society
• Washington County Genealogical Society
• Independence Historical Society
TEXIANS up to $249
• Dr. Richard Fox Brenham Chapter, DRT
• Jared Patout, C. P. A
• La Villita Chapter, DAR
• John Brieden State Farm Insurance
• Fultz & Fultz, PLLC
• Celia & Steve Haley
• Lacina & Kenjura, P. C.
• Grimes County Greys Camp #924, SCV
• William Joel Bryan Chapter #14, SRT
• Minnie B. Williams Chapter #531, UDC
• Washington County Historical Commission
• Blue Bell Creameries
• Henry P. Mayo
• Houston McGaugh
• Gilbert Mediation Service
Words of Wisdom:
“A person who undertakes to raise himself by
scandalizing others, might just as well sit down on
a wheelbarrow and undertake to wheel himself.”
from
–The Texas Ranger
Vol. 1, No. 38, Ed. 1
Friday October 12, 1849
Washington, Texas
STAR OF THE REPUBLIC
MUSEUM
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
936-878-2461 (fax) 936-878-2462
www.starmuseum.org
www.txindependence.org
www.facebook.com/staroftherepublic
Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Houston McGaugh
Curator of Collections & Exhibits . . . . . . . .Shawn Carlson
Curator of Education & Editor . . . . . . . . . Anne McGaugh
Public Programs Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheri Finke
Education Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Valerie Purcell
Museum Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Effie Wellmann
Articles may be reprinted
with permission.