Don Santiago: Trader, Politico, and Early El Pasoan
Thursday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.Discover how one man’s trade routes, family ties, and frontier diplomacy helped stitch together a region—and left a legacy still felt today!
Fire Resistant Plants
Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Don’t miss Landscape Architect Patti Stouter LIVE at Goodnight Ranch as she reveals the secrets of fire-resistant plants! Discover which bold flora thrive under extreme Texas heat. This FREE event ends with your own self-guided tour of the historic Goodnight Home!
From Camino Real to Civil War: San Augustine’s Roads of Trade and Troops
Saturday 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.Explore how Mission Dolores and the El Camino Real de los Tejas connects to the Civil War's 1864 Red River Campaign and the Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry. Learn about San Augustine soldiers, Civil War leadership, and the Camino Real’s role as a wartime route.
General Ignacio Zaragoza; His Birthplace, Life, and El Cinco de Mayo
Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.Please join us for two presentations focusing on the book written by Dr Thomas H. Kreneck,"General Ignacio Zaragoza: His Birthplace, Life, and El Cinco de Mayo". First presentation will be at 11am and another at 3pm. These presentations are free with paid admission to the museum, and will take place in Our Lady of Loreto Chapel
History Under the Star Lecture: Tejanos and the Texas Revolution
Saturday 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Dr. Andrés Tijerina will provide a brief review of the role of Tejanos in the founding of Texas and their legacy in the legal and cultural institutions that distinguish Texas historically from other states of Mexico and the U.S. It will provide a summary of Tejanos involved in the Texas Revolution from the Battle of Medina in 1813, the Battle of Béxar, the Alamo, and the Battle of San Jacinto. The discussion will conclude with a historical narrative of the experience of Tejanos in politics, government, and the economy of Texas during and after the Republic of Texas.
In Order of Providence; the Burial of Fannin's Command
Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Join us as we commemorate the buiral of the 342 men of Fannin's Command who were massacred on March 27th 1836 by the Mexican Army and buried on June 3rd 1836 by the Texas Army under Thomas Jefferson Rusk. This event will feature a memorial to the men, and a recreation of the Military Funeral honors given to these men. Detailed Schedule to follow.
Juneteenth Reading of General Order No. 3
Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Join us at the Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site for a commemoration of Juneteenth and the reading of General Order No. 3, which ordered the emancipation of all of the enslaved people in Texas. Federal troops, including the United States Colored Troops, entered Texas in June of 1865 and announced the freedom of the enslaved people. Program begins at 10 am with a reading of General Order No. 3 at 11 am and 2 pm from Allen Mack, a living history interpreter from the United States Colored Troops. The 2 pm reading will be followed by an interview with Allen Mack. There will be demonstrations throughout the day from 10 am to 4 pm. This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Cultural Exchange in East Texas
Saturday 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.Join our Site Educator as we learn about interactions between the Indigenous Caddo and Spanish and French settlers in East Texas.
The Blessings of Liberty: America's Founding Ideas and Their Significance Today
Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Dr. Shaffer, Professor of History at West Texas A&M University, will be visiting the Goodnight Ranch to reflect on our nation's 250th anniversary and its connection to our region. In Dr. Shaffer’s own words, “The United States is a creedal nation, a country founded on ideas laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Even before the Revolution, Americans saw themselves as a special people. John Winthrop described New England as a "city upon a hill" and told his followers that the world was watching them. That idea has been carried down throughout our history and was echoed by leaders like Lincoln and Reagan. The War for Independence was waged largely for ideological reasons, as American Patriots argued that the British government was taking away their sacred natural rights. To describe the new nation to the world, Jefferson wrote the Declaration, famously declaring that all men were created equal. These ideas are codified in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which creates a democratic republic and enshrines the fundamental rights of the people. While it is true that we have not always lived up to our founding ideas, they still guide us as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. Charles and Molly Goodnight carried these ideas with them when they settled the Panhandle in the late 19th century. They were heirs to this creed, as are we. The founding ideas are our legacy and our most important inheritance.” This FREE lecture 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.
Reflections on Rachel Patton
Saturday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.A discussion and performance exploring the life of Rachel Patton, Mistress of the plantation with guest speaker and living historian, Cheryl Mcbeth.