Sketch of the French Legation by A. Lee

Urban Sketchers at the French Legation

Saturday 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Urban Sketchers (Austin Chapter) will be on the French Legation grounds sketching en plein air!

Carriage in the barn at Varner Hogg Plantation

All Ages Scavenger Hunt

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Learn about the site's history on your quest to complete your scavenger hunt. Completed scavenger hunts are entered for a chance to win a prize!

Visitors on walkway at Levi Jordan

All Ages Scavenger Hunt

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Learn about the site's history on your quest to complete your scavenger hunt. Completed scavenger hunts are entered for a chance to win a prize!

Image of a basket of cotton with carding paddles

Processing Fibers Part I: Carding

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Join us Memorial Day weekend as we go through the different stages of processing types of fibers for fabrics!

Churn Back Time: Frontier Butter-Making

Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join us tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a fun, hands-on butter-making experience that brings 19th-century Texas to life! Learn how early settlers made fresh butter in the Hill Country, hear stories of frontier life, and sample the results. This free, drop-in program is perfect for all ages—no reservations needed. Come churn, learn, and get a taste of history!

Image of a covered wagon and people on horseback

Goodnight's Journey series: Illinois to Texas

Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

What a fascinating opportunity to delve into Charles Goodnight's early life! The story of a young boy riding bareback from Illinois to Texas, only to later become one of Texas's greatest legends, is a powerful narrative of resilience and vision.

A child crushes up cinnamon in a wooden mortar and pestle. Bits of cinnamon bark are scattered outside of the basin, all across the table cloth.

Demo Days: Battlefield Medicine

Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For this Demo Day, venture to the San Jacinto monument to learn about the medical techniques used in the 1830s. Visitors will learn about the four humors, grind up traditional remedies with a mortar and pestle, and even get to see demonstrations of real 19th century medical equipment!

Akers Cemetery Historical Marker Dedication

Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Please join the Cooke County Historical Commission as they host the marker dedication for Akers Cemetery. For more information, please contact Norman Newton at 940-372-6489.

Blue and white cyanotype photos, or sunprints, hanging on a string outside

History in Play: Cyanotypes

Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join Sites Educators at the outdoor playscape for a come-and-go activity creating your own sun print photograph.

Road to Victory, battle reenactment program at the National Museum of the Pacific War

Road to Victory: Okinawa

Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

On April 1st, 1945, U.S. forces stormed the quiet beaches of Okinawa. On this 60-mile strip of coral rock, the final land battle between the United States and Japan played out. At stake—the defense of the Japanese homeland and the fate of the Empire. Join us on May 24th to examine the big questions of the campaign: “Why did we invade Okinawa?”, “What happened during the battle?” and “Why does it matter?”. During the program, the living history volunteers of Company K will engage in a battle presentation including simulated explosives, blank firing guns, WWII vehicles, and a live M2-2 flamethrower! Presentations are offered at 11:00 and 2:00. This presentation is not recommended for small children, pets, or those with heart conditions. Online Ticket Purchase is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. Seating is first come first serve.