Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation

Help Preserve Texas History through Preservation, Education, and Celebration by joining the Foundation today!

Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation was created in the 1950s as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to facilitate preservation projects, celebrations and educational programming at this historic site and its four attractions. Besides playing an integral part in the creation and subsequent expansion of the Star of the Republic Museum, it also has supplied funding for park and museum personnel; spearheaded funding for the Visitor Center and its educational displays; assisted in the reconstruction of Independence Hall; spearheaded funding for the “real-life” exhibits and programs of the Barrington Plantation; assisted in purchasing, relocating and restoring the home of Dr. Anson Jones; assisted in construction of Six Flags Over Texas monument; provided research to have La Bahia Pecan Tree designated a “Famous Tree of Texas;” and purchased the following: an educational website with mobile phone app; new website for the complex; playground equipment; animals for the farm; bluebonnet and other wildflower seeds; and an important collection of historical papers and documents for the Museum.

As of January 2020, we’ve changed our name from the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association to Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation. New name but same great organization!

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Mission Statement

Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, a nonprofit organization, exists to help preserve the rich history of the heroic actions taken by our forefathers at Washington on the Brazos with the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico, on March 2, 1836.

The Foundation generates support to facilitate programs, celebrations, and education at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, Independence Hall, Star of the Republic Museum, Fanthorp Inn and Barrington Plantation.

You can play a vital role in Texas History by supporting Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, join today!

Accomplishments of the Foundation

• Sponsors and secures funding for the annual Texas Independence Day Celebration, Juneteenth Heritage Celebration & Christmas on the Brazos.
• Assisted in the reconstruction of Independence Hall.
• In concert with the Barrington Society, purchased, relocated to the park, and restored the home of Dr. Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas.
• Assisted in securing public and private funds to build the Star of the Republic Museum in 1969, and its subsequent expansion in 1992.
• Continues to fund the acquisition of interpretive artifacts and provides financial support for education programs presented by the park, farm, and museum.
• Assists in promoting the site through a litany of marketing opportunities.
• Raise funds for the necessary improvements needed to maintain a safe, enriching, and educational environment for visitors.
• Installed new playground equipment in the picnic area, and cultivated bluebonnets and wildflowers throughout the park.
• Funded state-of-the-art teaching website www.txindependence.org to allow anyone to learn in detail about the Convention of 1836 and the drafting of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
• Funded a new cell phone application to allow visitors to stroll park grounds and tour a “virtual” town site of Old Washington.
• Assisted in funding of the Six Flags Over Texas monument in Navasota to inform visitors of the area history, and direct tourists to the historic site.
• Provided the Texas Forestry Service with research to have the La Bahia Pecan Tree designated a “Famous Tree of Texas.”
• Raised funds and awareness of Washington on the Brazos through the sale of “For the Love of Texas” books and prints.

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Check out our list of accomplishments from 2023