Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Liberty, TX – The Texas State Library and Archives Commission invites the community to celebrate Independence Day early and come out to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC) on Saturday, June 27, for a fun-filled and free patriotic event commemorating the country’s 250th birthday. Doors open at 10 a.m. with an ongoing slate of family-friendly attractions and activities until 3 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. Guest speakers include Thomas Jackson, Dr. Carolina Castillo Crimm, and Larry and Barbara Stevens.
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.
See the full schedule of events planned for this special celebration at www.tsl.texas.gov/america250/shc. Contact the SHC at samhoustoncenter@tsl.texas.gov or (936) 336-8821 for more information.
Supporters 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.
The Sam Houston Center is a component of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and serves as the official regional historical resource depository for the 10 Southeast Texas counties of Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler. The Center's primary mission is to collect, preserve and provide access to historically significant state and local government records and publications of the designated region and secondarily to serve as a library of Texana and genealogical resources.
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The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to the information needed to be informed, productive citizens by preserving the archival record of Texas; enhancing the service capacity of public, academic and school libraries; assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records; and meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov.