Banner with name of program surrounded by a historic photo of the JA Ranch headquarters and a painting of John Adair

Legacy on the Land: Who is John Adair?

Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the JA Ranch!

Step back in time with our captivating lecture series as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the legendary JA Ranch—right as America marks its 250th birthday! Discover the stories, the spirit, and the influence that shaped the Texas Panhandle! Who was the man behind the JA Brand? Some might argue it was Charles Goodnight, but the brand itself, JA, stood for John Adair, a wealthy Irish broker turned Texas Panhandle cattle baron! Let's learn more about the man behind the brand and his impact on the very first cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle. This free program will be followed by a self-guided tour of the Goodnight Home! This event is presented as part of Texas-America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

A cone filled with a double scoop of peach ice cream drips in the summer sun.

Kids Cooking Class: Peach Ice Cream

Saturday 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Using peaches, cream, and sugar, we will create a sweet treat that will seal the year’s food tour of El Paso’s varied and rich history!

A portrait of Father Pinto is in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, the center of El Paso's Catholic Diocese.

America250 Lecture: Padre Pinto - The Apostle of El Paso with Janine Young

Thursday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Join Janine Young as she will “unfold the fascinating story of Father Pinto’s achievements” alongside the growth and development of El Paso’s religious communities during a period where many denominations were growing.

Banner with name of program surrounded historic photos of the JA Ranch, which includes horses and cowboys on horseback.

Legacy on the Land: Cornelia Adair's JA Ranch

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

As our country turns 250 years old, the first cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle, the famed JA, turns 150! In honor of this momentous occasion, Dr. Alex Hunt from West Texas A&M University is visiting the Goodnight Ranch on Saturday, August 22, at 11 a.m. and will look back at the history of the woman behind the ranch, Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie Adair.

Golden tree

Finding Your Roots: Genealogy at the Fulton Mansion

Saturday 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

As part of our America 250 celebration, join us at the Fulton Mansion for a genealogy presentation that connects the past to the present through family history.

Graphic for Labor Day Programs 2026, including an image of a printing press and details for the event

Printing a Revolution: The Rallying Cry

Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Travis Letter and the Boston Massacre Image by Paul Revere might be separated by years, but they both worked to rally people to a cause. The Travis Letter will be reprinted all day and the intricacies of engravings will be discussed.

Image of a cast iron press in a museum gallery with illustrations of two men working in a print shop on the back wall

Special Exhibit: Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy

Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Through Labor Day

As we celebrate the holiday weekend, please join us as we showcase our special exhibit, "Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy," highlighting the stories of the enslaved in San Felipe de Austin.

Graphic for the Labor Day programs 2026 at SFdA, it has the drawing of a printing press, printed text behind it and event information

Printing a Revolution: Mass Information

Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Newspaper wasn’t the only method of distributing information in the 18th and 19th centuries, pamphlets and books also played a role. Stephen F. Austin translated and published a translation of the Mexican colonization law (which was also the first book published in Texas). This booklet’s front cover will be printed all day.

Photo of illistrated museum mural of a printing press and man named Turner, an enslaved worker in the town of San Felipe de Austin

Final Day on View: Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy

Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Please join us for the final day on view of our our special exhibit, "Bypassed by Freedom but Building a Legacy," highlighting the stories of the enslaved in San Felipe de Austin.

Graphic for Labor Day Program 2026 at San Felipe de Austin, includes an image of a printing press, with printed text behind the event details

Printing a Revolution: Declaring Independence

Monday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Texas Declaration of Independence was printed in San Felipe de Austin, and we will once again be printing it for the day. We also invite you to compare and contrast the earlier American Declaration, which has clear influence.