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It was on this spot that 59 men under the leadership of Sam Houston drafted the Declaration of Independence from Mexico. Patterned after the American Declaration of Independence with a listing of grievances and the need for revolution. It was here that Sam Houston proclaimed on March 2, 1836 “Let the citizens of the East march to the combat. The enemy must be driven from our soil or ruin and desolation will accompany their march upon us.” The assembly also established a constitution and set up an interim government declaring Texas a “Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic.” Inside the reconstructed Independence Hall a ranger explains to visitors of the many problems faced by the assembly at the time when Santa Anna and his troops were only a few days away from the Alamo, the site of the imminent disaster. The park also features the town site of the former state capital Washington. The town site trail with its historical markers remind visitors of the earlier importance of Washington as a major political and commercial center. Alas, starting in 1860, the town began its decline to disappear altogether in the 1880s. Austin had replaced Washington as the state’s capital. By the turn of the century there were only four men, one dog and a rooster left. The last historical structure burned in 1912. Today, the only remains of Washington is a cistern. The excellent visitor center in the park is filled with displays and many hands-on-exhibits. Another splendid attraction at the park is The Star of the Republic Museum which traces the life and times of the brief history from 1836-1846 of The Lone Star State as a separate nation. The many displays focus on Texas history from cattle to cotton. Interactive exhibits and a number of audio-visual presentations highlight the visit.
The park also is home to the Barrington Living History Farm, located on the site of the Anson Jones’ cotton farm. He was the last president of the short-lived republic. Here you can watch worker-interpreters in period dress as they go about their domestic tasks, 1850s style. Surrounding them are historical breeds of cattle, hogs and chicken. Fields and gardens serve to produce heirloom crops. Just a few miles from the park and Brenham, the county seat, awaits you the European-style Monastery of St. Clare, built in 1986. It is the home of the five Franciscan Sisters, who earn their living by raising and selling adorable miniature horses in addition to a variety of pottery produced on the premises The miniature horse population usually consists of around 80 frolicking animals. Their height ranges from 24 to 29 inches. A miniature horse can be no taller than 34 inches, Their life span from 20 to 30 years equals that of their “big brother.” The miniature horses consume grass, hay and grain, though in much smaller quantities than the regular horse. A miniature horse can hold a child of 50 pounds or pull a cart with several adults. Miniature horses used to be favorite pets of European royalties. Later these horses were exported from England to serve as pit horses in Appalachian coal mines and as circus show horses. With the formation in 1978 of the American Miniature Horse Association this special breed of horses has gained in popularity as show horses and in competitions. The Monastery’s horses occasionally perform at family events. The Sisters are very particular to assure that each horse gets a good home whenever they sell one. The price ranges from $1000 to $1,500. Potential buyers are the elderly, who no longer can handle a regular horse, those with financial restrictions and families who seek to teach responsibility for their children through the care of an animal. This popular miniature horse farm is open daily from 2 to 4 p.m., except for Holy Week and Christmas Day. Admission to the farm, the chapel and ceramics workshop is free. Bring along a picnic to enjoy watching the frolicking horses in their peaceful surrounding.
Less than 50 miles north of Brenham on the Campus of Texas A & M University in College Station sits the imposing George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, opened in 1997. The huge facility celebrates the distinguished political career of George Bush with his successive roles as Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Liaison to the People’s Republic of China, Director of CIA, Vice President and President The impressive holdings, among them 43 million pages of documents of George. Bush’s career, 40,000 pages of official and personal papers, 2 million photos and 5000 videos. In addition, the museum is home to 90,000 objects. The research facility is private, the museum is open to the public. Among the diversified displays are true-to-life re-creations of the offices at Camp David and Air Force One. Presidential gifts on display include folk artifacts and the Torches of the Olympics of 2000. One of the exhibit rooms has a slab of the infamous Berlin Wall. Returning to Brenham there is another popular tourist attraction. The Pleasant Hill Winery is both, the oldest and newest one in Washington County. It opened in 1993. Free tours and tastings are available on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays, from noon till 5 p.m. Picnic facilities invite you to linger awhile in its tranquil setting. The big annual event at Pleasant Hill Winery is “Crush for Fun” on the last weekend in July and the first two weekends in August. It celebrates the introduction of the new wine. Several people will assemble in a tub and stomp wine with their feet. They will be rewarded with a t-shirt showing their footprint and the message “I picked, stomped, I made some wine.” Each participant receives a photo. Kids can also participate and enjoy refreshing grape juice for their efforts. Spread on 200 acres near Brenham is the prominent International Festival Institute at Round Top. It dates back to 1972 and showcases the Texas Festival orchestra and chamber music during 6 weeks in the summer. In addition, there are concerts and forums offered throughout the year. The Institute’s impressive architecture features beautiful handcrafted interior, including one medallion fashioned after the rose window of the Cathedral of Lucerne. You need not attend a function to visit the various buildings and its treasures, among them a colorful wedding chest from 1635. Among the historical towns in Washington County is Independence, once a wealthy town nicknamed “The Athens of Texas”. The town fell on hard times after the Civil War and the disappearance of the railroad and today has a population of 56. Looking for an authentic Texas Ranch experience? Then head for Texas Ranch Life in Bellville, about 30 miles south of Brenham. Texas Ranch Life comprises three guest ranches with lodging and opportunities for dove and quail; hunting, cattle work, fishing, trail,- wagon,- and hayrides and sumptuous chuck wagon meals. IF YOU GO: SIGHTSEEING ATTRACTIONS Monastary of St. Clare, 9300 Highway 105, Brenham, Texas 77833; Tel.409-836-9452. George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station, Texas 77645; Tel. 979-691-4000; www.bushlibrary.tamu.edu International Festival Institute At Round Top, P.O. Box 89, Highway 287 (at Jaster Road), Texas 78954-0089; Tel.979-249-3129; Fax: 979-249-5078; www.festivalhill.org Pleasant Hill Winery, 1441 Salem Road, Brenham, Texas 77833; Tel.979-830-8463; Fax: 979-277-9218; e-mail: texaswine@aol.com www.pleasanthillwinery.com Star of the Republic Museum, P.O. Box 317, Washington, Texas 77834; Tel.979-878-2462, ext. 238; ax: 936-878-2462; www.starmuseum.org Unity Theater, P.O. Box 2358, Box 2358, 300 Church Street, Brenham, Texas77834; Tel.979-830-1460; www.unitybrenham.org
LODGING Lillian Farms B&B, Barbara Segal, 12570 FM 1155 East, Washington, Texas; Tel. 979-421-6332; Fax: 979-836-6187; e-mail: lillianfarms@msn.com; www.lillianfarms.com Texas Ranch Life, P.O. Box 403, Bellville, Texas 77418; Reservations: 866/TEXASRL; Tel 979-865-3647; Fax: 979-865-9461; www.texasranchlife.com
RESTAURANTS Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant, 409 West Main, Brenham, Texas 77833; Tel. 979-277-9620; Fax: 979-636-4685 Martha’s Bloomers, 8101 Highway 6 Bypass, P.O. Box 9999, Navasota, Texas 77868; Tel. 936-870-4044; e-mail: information@marthasbloomers.com www.marthasboomers.com Must be Heaven, 107 West Alamo, Brenham, Texas 77833; Tel. 979-830-8536; Fax: 979-836-9913; e-mail: pieguymbh@yahoo.com Volare Italian Restaurant, 205 South Baylor Street, Brenham, Texas; Tel. 979-836-1514. Bever’s Kitchen, 5162 Main Street, Chapell Hill, Texas 77426; el. 979-836-4178; Fax: 979-836-4178.
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