Birth of Texas Documentaries - "Houston: A Nation's Capitol" and "Spanish Texas"

Houston Arts and Media’s Birth of Texas Docs to Air on Houston's KUHT-TV Channel 8 in March

Houston, TX – March 11, 2013 – The two completed titles from Houston Arts and Media's Birth of Texas Series, including their latest release, will air on Houston's KUHT-TV Channel 8 in prime time on Tuesday, March 19. Houston: A Nation's Capitol will start at 7 PM to be followed immediately by the brand new Spanish Texas. There will be an encore showing of each at 10 PM on March 26 and March 27.

The folks at Houston Arts and Media are very excited about this opportunity and hope that other PBS outlets around Texas will follow suit in airing these compelling documentaries about the state. HAM's Executive Director Mike Vance said, "Channel 8's support of Texas history is a terrific development for us. We are constantly working on great titles about Texas, and we hope to see all of them on PBS affiliates around the state."

Spanish Texas is the chronologically first title in the Birth of Texas Series. It is the story of the missions, presidios and villas in this most remote part of New Spain. It is Texas Indians, some of whom converted to a life with the Spaniards, and some who most decidedly did not. The settlers in this often hostile outpost would become known as Tejanos, and they would alternately battle and cooperate with the Anglos sneaking into Texas from the east. There are filibusters and pirates, vast Texas ranchos, battles for survival and revolution against Royal Spain.

The Birth of Texas Documentary Series is a multi-part series of feature length documentaries that chronicle the journey from Spanish Texas, along the road to Revolution, through the days of the Republic and on to statehood. The videos not only explore the complete stories of the famous military actions at the Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto including recent breakthroughs in scholarship and archaeology, but also the roles played by Tejanos, American settlers, filibusterers, enslaved African-Americans, European immigrants and foreign governments in shaping the story of our state.

These documentaries educate adults and students about the early history of our great State of Texas. They also serve as a powerful vehicle for history tourism, motivating people to visit these hallowed locations for themselves.

In addition to Spanish Texas, other documentaries in the Birth of Texas Series revolve around San Felipe de Austin, Washington-on-the-Brazos, San Antonio and the Alamo, Goliad, San Jacinto, Houston and Austin. Each follows the same pattern of telling not only the stories of what happened there, but exploring the broader themes that existed in Texas of the early nineteenth century and grounding them in solid and recognizable historical context.

Spanish Texas and Houston: A Nation's Capitol are available on DVD through HAM. Public viewings will continue to be scheduled. DVDs may be obtained here http://www.houstonartsandmedia.org/spanish%20texas.html

Houston Arts and Media continues to work on several other projects such as the award-winning HAM Slices of History which are reachable through HAM's homepage. Documentaries are in the works on other state and area history subjects including Home Front: Texas in WWII and Stand Up Story, a history of standup comedy in Houston. They also continue with Neighborhood to Neighbor, an ongoing oral history gathering project that has already placed the stories of scores of Houstonians in the Houston Public Library’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center and Rice University’s Woodson Research Center. Parties interested in supporting these efforts through donations or volunteerism should contact Houston Arts and Media via e-mail at info@houstonartsandmedia.org.

About Houston Arts and Media:

Houston Arts and Media’s purpose is to produce educational and historical film, video and books. The work will be done by members of Houston’s creative, educational, research and production communities. Houston Arts and Media is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.

For information: http://www.houstonartsandmedia.org or

Contact: info@houstonartsandmedia.org

Phone: 713-686-9244

2013 Texas Independence Day Celebrations - Washington-on-the-Brazos

Texas Independence Day Celebration

Washington-on-the-Brazos

March 2-3, 2013

Schedule of Events

 

Ongoing activities, throughout the weekend, 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:

• Craft vendors, demonstrators, and musicians located along the trail between the Visitors Center and Museum, the Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Farm
• The Social Republic: The Frontier Tavern as a Networking Hub at Washington Inn
• Descendants of Declaration Signers sign-in at the Visitor Center
• New Museum exhibit "The Substance of Life: Texas Through the Eyes of Theodore Gentilz"
• Book signings by Texas authors at the Visitor Center 

 Saturday March 2, 2013

• 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. - Texas Independence Day Commemorative Program at Independence Hall
• 10:45 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. - William Carroll Crawford: Last Surviving Signer at Independence Hall
• 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. - Geocaching 101: Introduction to Geocaching at the Education Center
• 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. - Recollections of the Runaway Scrape by Mary Jones at Barrington Farm
• 11:00 a.m. - Texas Heroes Living History: General Sam Houston at the Museum Theater
• 11:00 a.m. - No Foolin' String Band at the Amphitheater
• 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Firing Demonstrations, small arms and artillery at the Washington Inn
• 12:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. - Dave Parsons, Texas State 2011 Poet Laureate at the Amphitheater
• 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Independence Hall  Tours at Independence Hall
• 1:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Craig Toungate presents In the Shadow of Giants at the Amphitheater
• 1:30 p.m. - Texas Heroes Living History: Col. James Bowie at the Museum Theater
• 3:30 p.m. - Texas Heroes Living History: General Sam Houston at the Museum Theater

Saturday March 3, 2013 

• 11:00 a.m. - Texas Heroes Living History: Col. James Bowie at the Museum Theater
• 11:00 a.m. - The Convention Through a Lady's Eyes at Independence Hall
• 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. - Texas 1836:  Virtual Townsite Tour that starts at the Visitor Center
• 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. - Recollections of the Runaway Scrape by Mary Jones at Barrington Farm
• 12:00 p.m. - No Foolin' String Band at the Amphitheater
• 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Firing Demonstrations, small arms and artillery at the Washington Inn
• 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Independence Hall Tours at Independence Hall
• 1:00 p.m. - Washington on the Brazos Park Association Commemorative Program on the lawn in front of the Conference Center
• 1:00 p.m. - Craig Toungate presents In the Shadow of Giants at the Amphitheater
• 
  1:00 p.m. - Geocaching 101: Introduction to Geocaching at the Education Center
• 2:00 p.m. - The War for Texas Independence by Naomi Carrier at the Amphitheater
• 3:00 p.m. - William Carroll Crawford: Last Surviving Signer at Independence Hall
• 3:30 p.m. - Texas Heroes Living History: General Sam Houston at the Museum Theater
• 4:00 p.m. - Texas Independence Day Commeorative Program at Independence Hall

A Texas Destiny, The Saga Begins by - Joe G. Bax - Book Review

I just got through reading Joe G. Bax's A Texas Destiny, The Saga Begins and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  I enjoy excellent historical fiction especially when it is about the romantic Mexican colonial period and Texas revolutionary period.  This novel is the much awaited "prequel" to Bax's celebrated and award winning novel, The General and Monaville, Texas published in 2009 which introduced Bax's readers to Texan Leander Wilhite and his family during the Reconstruction period following the War Between the States. 

Originally, The General and Monaville, Texas was intended to be a stand alone book. However, when reading The General and Monaville, Texas, readers became aware that some rather important and dark events had occurred in the lives of the main characters years before the events related in The General and Monaville, Texas.  Many readers contacted Bax and advised him that they just had to know more about the main characters and earlier somewhat mysterious events alluded to in The General and Monaville, Texas. In response to the popular demand, Bax wrote this excellent and very entertaining prequel, A Texas Destiny, The Saga Begins.  A Texas Destiny, The Saga Begins allows its readers to live vicariously, for a while, with Leander Wilhite and his family as they go through many adventures beginning with the early settlement of Texas in 1820's up to the eve of the War Between the States.  If you like Texas history and historical fiction, be sure and read A Texas Destiny, The Saga Begins.  It is sure to please. 

Now we need to encourage Joe G. Bax to write the part of the Wilhite saga that occurs during the War Between the States. 

Book Review by Kameron K. Searle

Steamboat House Historical Marker Dedication - Huntsville. Texas - November 11, 2012

The Oakwood Cemetery Advisory Board and the City of Huntsville, Texas cordially invite you to attend the dedication of a Historical Marker illustrating The Steamboat House as it appeared on its original site.  The dedication of this historical marker will held on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Adickes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery on MLK Boulevard in Huntsville, texas.  Reception to follow immediatly after the ceremony at the Wynne Home located at 1428 11th Street in Huntsville, Texas.  For more information 936-291-7316 or candycedixon@sbcglobal.net

Texian Navy Day Celebration & Cannon School - Surfside Jetty Park - September 15, 2012

Texas Navy Flag - Texas Revolution

There will be a Texian Navy Day Celebration & Cannon School on Saturday, September 15, 2012; at Surfside Jetty Park. Meet and visit with the infantry and cannon crews of the Texas Revolution.  Observe 19th century artillery on display and being fired at the cannon school.  Schedule for this event:

Flag Raising- 8:00 a.m

Infantry Drill -9:00 a.m.

Cannon School 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Ceremony - 4:00 p.m.

For information, call 979-864-1541 or e-mail co3militia@yahoo.com

Organized and conducted by the Brazoria Historical Militia with support from the Village of Surfside, the Brazoria County Parks Department, and the Brazoria County Historical Museum. The Texas Government Code - Section 662.051 provides the following information about the observance of Texian Navy Day:

Texian Navy Day

§ 662.051. TEXIAN NAVY DAY.

Text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 697, § 1

(a) The third Saturday in September of each year is Texian

Navy Day in remembrance of the Texian Navy.

(b) Texian Navy Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 697, § 1, eff. June 17, 2005.

For text of section as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 19, § 1,

see § 662.051, ante.

For additional information: James Glover is the contact person for this event:

jamesg@brazoria-county.com

Thanks Ever so Much,

M. Bailey



The Pioneers of Montgomery Sculpture - Cedar Brake Park - Montgomery, Texas

The Pioneers of Montgomery - Click Image to Enlarge

The Pioneers of Montgomery historical monument sculpted by Montgomery resident Lynn Peverill, represents the folks that built Montgomery, Texas from scratch.  To be placed in Montgomery's Cedar Brake Park, the piece includes Charles B. Stewart (an entrepreneur who designed the Lone Star Flag of the State of Texas and the Texas State Seal) at center, a Cattleman, a Farmer, a Logger and a Pioneer Woman.

If you would like to sponsor this worthy endeavor, contact Patrons of Cedar Brake Park.  Patrons of Cedar Brake Park is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.  Contact information: (936) 499-6091 or http://www.lynnpeverill.com.  Also see the Patrons of Cedar Brake Park web site at http://patronsofcedarbrakepark.org/.

Battle of Medina, August 18, 2012 - 199th Anniversary of the Bloodiest Battle in Texas History

The public is invited to attend the 199th anniversary of the Battle of Medina on Saturday, August 18, 2012, at a site in Atascosa County overlooking the Galvan Creek, where we believe between 800 and 1,300 men died August 18, 1813. This was the bloodiest battle and largest loss of life of any battle in Texas history, and it occurred about 20 miles south of San Antonio, Texas. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2012, and everyone interested in Texas history is invited. Due to the heat, we will only be at the large Oak tree overlooking the battle site for about one hour so that each Society can rededicate their marker to American Revolutionary Patriot Peter Sides, the Sons of The Republic of Texas marker for Benjamin Allen, the Mayflower Society marker for Samuel Adams and all the other men who fought and died in this battle. The SAR, DAR, SRT, DRT, The Daughters of the War of 1812 Society, and the Mayflower Societies will all re-dedicate their markers, making this one of the most honored and dedicated historic sites in Texas. Our combined Color Guard will present the Colors to begin the ceremony and fire a musket salute to all those who participated in this battle on both sides to conclude the event. Chief of the Caddo Nation, Rufus David will conclude the ceremony with a memorial ceremony.

Everyone will then retire to Pleasanton, Texas, for lunch on your own, and then reconvene at the Pleasanton Church of Christ located at 1003 North Main Street for an air-conditioned history seminar from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. in the church meeting hall. The Atascosa County Historical Commission members will graciously provide us with refreshments in the afternoon at the church during the symposium again this year. The afternoon history seminar will present the latest research on the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition, which began 200 years ago this year, and the last battle of the Expedition, the Battle of Medina. Several speakers will be featured, including Robert Thonhoff, KSJ, the award winning author of several books, Richard G. Santos, author of 37 books, over 3,000 articles and dozens of documentaries and former instructor at Our Lady of the Lake University, Trinity University and School of Aero Space Medicine; Al McGraw, Archeological Studies Program for TxDOT will also speak on various facets of this historic era, Dan Arellano, author and historian and Tom Green promoter of the event. These are all great speakers and historians, so you don’t want to miss this symposium. The Military History Coordinator for the State Historical Commission, Mr. William McWhorter is also planning to attend, as is Caddo Chief Davis, who will say a few words of wisdom.

To reach the site for the 10:00 a.m. outdoor ceremony, proceed south from San Antonio on Highway 281 some 15 miles from the intersection of Loop 410 South and Highway 281, to the community of Espey, Texas, at the intersection of U.S. 281 and FM 536; then turn right (west) onto the Old Pleasanton Road, and then left onto Bruce Road where signs will direct you to the ceremony. For additional details, contact Tom Green, at (281) 922-1118, or Cell Phone (832) 687-3474. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes and bring water and a lawn chair that will not easily sink into the “sugar sand!”

The Battle of Medina was between the Republican Army of the North consisting of approximately a 1,400 men, called the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition by historians, and a Royal Spanish Army commanded by General Joaquin de Arredondo consisting of approximately 1,800 men. The Republican Army of the North was truly a diverse group, consisting of Tejanos, Native Americans, and adventurers from the U.S.A. along with at least one African-American named Thomas. This was at a time in history when only about 2,000 people lived in San Antonio, called San Fernando de Bexar at the time. At least 5 Patriots of the American Revolution were involved in the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition, and at least one of these Patriots, Peter Sides, fought and died in the Battle of Medina. Peter Sides is one of over 50 Patriots of the American Revolution believed to have been buried in Texas. Direct descendants of Peter Sides are eligible for membership in both the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution and The Sons and Daughters of The Republic of Texas. Some of the descendants of Peter Sides will be in attendance for the re-dedication of a Sons of the American Revolution Patriot Grave Marker. A Grave Marker will also be re-dedicated by the Sons of the Republic of Texas for Benjamin Allen, as descendants of all the approximately 3,200 men who fought on both sides of this battle are possibly eligible for membership in the SRT and the DRT. One of our objectives is to honor the many other participants on both sides of this battle, which is the land battle with the largest loss of life in Texas history. Toward that end, descendants of the Spanish solders, Native Americans and the native Tejano participants have also been invited to attend this annual commemorative ceremony.

Earlier in the expedition the Royal Spanish Army surrounded the Republican Army of the North for approximately four months at the La Bahia Presidio near present day Goliad, Texas. This is believed to have been one of the longest sieges in American military history, and is the reason the La Bahia Presidio flies the Emerald Green flag of the Republican Army of the North as one of the nine flags flown at La Bahia.

Prior to the August 18, 1813 Battle of Medina, the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition formed the Republican Army of the North, and won all the preceding battles and declared Texas free from Spain, including a battle at Nacogdoches, a four month siege of the Presidio La Bahia, the Battle of Rosillo, and the Battle of Alazan. On April 6, 1813, Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara, and his junta, wrote and signed the First Texas Declaration of Independence. On April 17, 1813, the junta and Governor-Elect Bernardo Gutierrez approved the First Constitution of Texas in present day San Antonio. A ceremony is held each year in San Antonio commemorating these events. Come join us and learn more about this all but forgotten part of our history.

Special thanks to contributor Ron W. Brown, P.E. for providing the information in this email.