Celebrate Independence Day and Texas America250 at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty, Texas!
Saturday, June 27 | 10:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
Family-Friendly Fun!
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission invites the community to celebrate Independence Day early and come out to the Sam Houston Center (SHC) on Saturday, June 27, for a fun-filled and free patriotic event commemorating the country’s 250th birthday. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. with an ongoing slate of family-friendly attractions and activities until 3:00 p.m.
Crafts for kids, engaging presentations from guest speakers, documentary film viewings, storytime for the little ones, and other entertainments are planned, as well as self-guided tours of the historical buildings on the grounds for guests of all ages. Members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas will provide craft demonstrations and information on tribal history.
In addition to the scheduled program of events, visitors may explore the Center’s state-of-the-art museum where a new special exhibit, Patriotism Lives in Liberty: The 1976 American Bicentennial, will be on display along with the permanent exhibit, Atascosito: The History of Southeast Texas. For this occasion, select items from the archives in Austin and Liberty will also be on view.
The Center’s grounds are home to several preserved historic buildings such as the Hull-Daisetta Rotary Building, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Gillard-Duncan House, and the Norman House. Grab an event passport and “travel’ from site to site to participate in a range of activities—complete your set of stamps to earn a prize! Refreshments will also be available throughout the day.
Contact the SHC at samhoustoncenter@tsl.texas.gov or (936) 336-8821 for more information.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30 a.m.
Presentation:
Thomas Jackson, “Remember the Ladies” – A review of contributions of the ladies to the formation of our country, with a bonus look at the early contributions of the Daughters of the American Revolution. [St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church]
Documentary film screening:
“Voices & Visions,” featuring art, music, and literature from the Revolutionary Era from Ken Burn’s documentary, The American Revolution. [Jean and Price Daniel Home]
11:00 a.m.
Documentary film screening:
“Military History,” exploring military history and strategy during the American Revolution from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. [Jean and Price Daniel Home]
12:00 noon
Presentation:
“Bernardo de Galvez and the Spanish Contribution to the American Revolution,” with Dr. Carolina Castillo Crimm. [Jean and Price Daniel Home]
1:30 p.m.
Presentation:
“American Frontier Life” with Larry and Barbara Stevens. - A look at the clothing, tools, cooking, foods, and more used during the frontier period. [St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church]
Documentary film screening:
“Revolutionary Youth,” exploring how young people lived, contributed, and participated in the War for Independence from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. [Jean and Price Daniel Home]
2:30 p.m.
Documentary film screening:
“Spirit of Service,” exploring the spirit of service in American culture from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. [Jean and Price Daniel Home]
ONGOING ACTIVITIES:
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Main Building
Archive and historic documents:
Behind-the-scenes view of archival stacks.
Special display of historic documents from the TSLAC Collections in Austin and Liberty.
Museum exhibits:
Atascosito: The History of Southeast Texas, with activity books for children.
Patriotism Lives in Liberty: Celebrating the 1976 American Revolution Bicentennial.
Book drive:
Drop-off point for SHC Book Club Book Drive, providing books to active military and veterans.
Refreshments:
Cookies. Courtesy of the Atascosito Historical Society.
Hull-Daisetta Rotary Building
Children’s activities:
Temporary tattoos, beaded bracelets, and America250 activity books. Courtesy of the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.
Norman House
Guided tours.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Special exhibit:
Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Gillard-Duncan House
Self-guided tours.
Presentation:
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas – Tribal History and Tribal Craft Demonstrations.
Jean and Price Daniel Home and Archives
Storytime, provided by the Liberty Municipal Library.
Special Exhibit:
Becoming the United States: Colonial America to Reconstruction, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Refreshments:
Popcorn. Courtesy of Atascosito Historical Society.
Outdoors
Fire Truck and Police Vehicle
Courtesy of City of Liberty Fire and Police Departments.
Character Cut-Outs
Courtesy of Liberty High School Art and Woodworking Students and Atascosito Historical Society.
Patriotic decorations
Courtesy of Liberty Lions Club and Texas Library and Archives Foundation.
Hot Dogs and Sno Cones
Courtesy of First Liberty Bank.
Supporters of this special celebration include the Atascosito Historical Society; City of Liberty, including the Fire Department, Police Department, and Liberty Municipal Library; First Liberty Bank; Liberty Lions Club; Liberty High School Art and Woodworking; and the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.