Star of the Republic Museum
Notes
Vol. 33: No. 1
2008
John James Audubon: Man of Genius
In the preface to the London edition of his memoirs, John James Audubon (1785-1851) was described as a man
of genius, with the courage of a lion and the simplicity of a child. Through his diary, one can gain insight to the
man, his mission, and his spirit. His contributions to the world of science and art came from his endless pursuit
of the wonders of nature and his ability to preserve its grace and beauty through his work.
This famous field naturalist left his footprint in Texas at a critical time in the fledgling republic. For fifty-four
days in 1837, he scoured the Texas Gulf coastline on an ornithological expedition to search for new species to
include in the fourth volume of his Birds of America. Sailing from New Orleans on the Campbell, Audubon and
his party arrived in Galveston, hailing the new Texian government with a 24-gun salute. The trip revealed no new
species of birds, but increased the knowledge base about Texas wildlife, including a new species of rattlesnake
with a double row of fangs.
It took one week, battling wind and rain, to sail from
Galveston to Houston. Throughout the excursion, Audubon
kept a journal of his observations, not only of the fauna and
flora, but also of the people and conditions along the way.
Upon arrival in Houston, he described the scene as “wild
and desolate,” where few trees had been spared the ax.
Wading through water above his ankles, he passed tents,
shanties, and houses without roofs, on his way to meet
with President Houston. The city was crowded with many
Native Americans who had come to enter into a treaty with
the government. The capitol was also without a roof, and
the floors, tables, and benches of both houses of Congress
were drenched with water as well. Audubon described the
President’s “mansion” as:
...a small log house, consisting of two rooms and a passage
through, after the Southern fashion. The moment we stepped
over the threshold, on the right hand of the passage we
found ourselves ushered into what in other countries would
be called the antechamber; the ground floor, however, was
muddy and filthy, a large fire was burning, a small table
covered with paper and writing materials was in the center, camp-beds, trunks, and different materials were strewn
around the room.
continued on page 2-
continued from page 1-
Audubon’s visit with the President was
brief, but made an impression never to
be forgotten. Standing over six feet tall,
Houston appeared at first, foreboding and
disagreeable. He had just returned from one
of the grog shops to prevent the further sale
of spirits to the Native Americans. However,
upon introductions, he received Audubon
cordially and wished to be of service. In spite
of the conditions, Houston was dressed in
“ a fancy velvet coat, and trousers trimmed
with broad gold lace; and around his neck
was tied a cravat somewhat in the style
from “Naturalists of the Frontier,” by Samuel Wood Geiser, 1948
of seventy-six.” At the conclusion of the
visit, Audubon wished the President success to the new republic, then traveled down Buffalo Bayou to return to
Galveston. Along the way, he observed an abundance of Black-Throated Bunting and American Widgeons, and
gathered specimens for future study. Sadly, the majority of the collections Audubon gathered in Texas were lost
in transit to the north.
Audubon’s trip to Texas was but a glimpse of his life. His observations in Texas provided inspiration for some
of the lithographs in The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, an extensive collection of work created by
Audubon, his two sons, and John Bachman. His son, John Woodhouse Audubon, returned to Texas in 1845-46 to
collect more specimens, notes, and sketches for the project.
As noted by a visitor to the naturalist’s home shortly before his death, “It is hard to confine one’s self to dates and
times when contemplating such a man as Audubon. He belongs to all time. He was born, but he can never die.”
Audubon Exhibit Coming to Star of the Republic Museum
The Star of the Republic Museum will open a new exhibit entitled “Audubon’s Creations: His Texas Legacy”
in celebration of Texas Independence Day 2008. John
James Audubon is world renowned for his glorious images
of birds, but he is equally recognized for his images of
mammals. The exhibit at Washington-on-the-Brazos will
display a select collection of hand-colored lithographs of
these mammals––including the Texian Hare, Red Texan
Wolf, Texan Lynx, and Texan Skunk––all drawn from
specimens collected by Audubon and his party during
their visits to Texas in the 1830s and 1840s.
“Audubon’s Creations: His Texas Legacy” will be on
exhibit for the Texas Independence Day Celebration at
Washington-on-the-Brazos beginning March 1, 2008 and
continuing through August 31, 2008.
“Prairie Wolf,” by John James Audubon, Artist
John T. Bowen, Lithographer, 1845
Texas Independence Day Celebration
On Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2, 2008, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association will sponsor the
172nd anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Festivities at the Park will include
historic craft demonstrations, guest speakers, music and entertainment. The event is also sponsored by ExxonMobil,
Bluebonnet Electric Co-op, Navasota Emporium, and Embarq. Admission to all sites in the Park will be free.
Texas Independence Day Celebration
Schedule of Events
(subject to change)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:30 pm
1:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:30 pm
Texas Heroes Living History……………………….…Museum Theater
(William Barret Travis & Susanna Dickinson)
No Foolin’ String Band…………………..Walkway near Visitor Center
Republic of Texas Art Contest Awards………..…….Museum Theater
No Foolin’ String Band…………………..Walkway near Visitor Center
Texas Heroes Living History…………………………Museum Theater
(Stephen F. Austin & Mary Austin Holley)
Texas Heroes Living History…………………………Museum Theater
(William Barret Travis & Susanna Dickinson)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
10:00-12:00 Book signing………………………………..………........Visitors Center
(John Potter-Flags in the History of Texas)
11:00 am
Texas Heroes Living History ………..……………....Museum Theater
(William Barret Travis & Susanna Dickinson)
11:00-3:00
Book signing………………………………..………........Visitors Center
(Jimmy Killingsworth- Reflections of the Brazos Valley
Martha Tannery Jones- The Great Texas Scare, The Ghost at the
Old Stone Fort, Terror from the Gulf)
11:15 am
Texas Heroes Living History (Sam Houston)…….Independence Hall
11:30 am
No Foolin’ String Band…………………..………………. Visitor Center
12:30 pm
Gone to Texas**………………………………...……...Museum Theater
1:15 pm
No Foolin’ String Band………………………..…….……..Amphitheater
2:00 pm
Texas Independence Day Program…………………..Amphitheater
(featuring notable Texans–past and present–and Brian Burns*, followed
by Texas Army blackpowder gun salute and Texas-sized birthday cake)
4:00 pm
Gone to Texas**………….…………………………….Museum Theater
* Brian Burns is a multiple award-winning performer that stirs the hearts and minds of young and old while
instilling a great appreciation for the importance of the history of the Lone Star State. His Once Upon a
Time in Texas is an engaging live performance of songs and storytelling that brings Texas’ illustrious history, culture, and folklore to life.
** Gone to Texas is a foot-stomping musical production about the life of Sam Houston, sponsored in part by
Raven Rangers of the New Army of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston Memorial Museum and the Cast.
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
Third Brazos Valley Regional History Fair is Now “History”
The third annual Brazos Valley Regional History Fair was held February 8 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. One
hundred seventy two students in grades 6-12, from Brenham, Navasota, College Station, and Bryan competed for
advancement to Texas History Day in Austin, sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association. The winners
at the state contest will advance to National History Day in June at the University of Maryland. For a complete
list of winners, go to www.starmuseum.org/bvrhf/bvrhf_info.htm, and click on “2008 Winners.” The Museum
gratefully acknowledges the following history fair sponsors:
FRIENDS up to $99
•Blue Bell Creameries
FOUNDERS $400+
•Waller County American Legion Post #459
•Washington on the Brazos State Park Association
•Waller County VFW Post #4007
•Brazos Heritage Society
•Blinn College
•Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site
DELEGATES $250+
•Daughters of the Republic of Texas,
Dr. Richard Fox Brenham Chapter
•Washington County Genealogical Society
•Brazos County Historical Commission
•Chesapeake Energy
•Independence Historical Society
TEXIANS $100+
•Jared Patout, C.P.A.
•African American National Heritage Society
•John Brieden State Farm Insurance
•Lacina & Kenjura, Attorneys at Law
•United Daughters of the Confederacy,
Minnie B. Williams Chapter #531
•Washington County Historical Commission
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 . . . . . . . . . . .Erin Crawford
Education Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Judy Habermehl
Museum Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Effie Wellmann
Articles may be reprinted
with permission.