Explore 19th Century Life with Interactive Summer Events and Exhibits
HUNTSVILLE, TX — The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library has an array of events planned for families to enjoy this summer. Beginning June 8, the Summer Spotlight Program will begin. Running every Saturday until July 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the museum’s education department will be on the grounds hosting free activities for all ages.
“We have a variety of activities planned this summer for visitors to learn about life during the 19th Century,” said Nancy Gajan, curator of education. “We will kick off the Saturday Spotlight on June 8, with shucking and grinding corn at Eliza’s Kitchen. In addition, there will be spinning where you can learn about a spinning wheel and how to spin yarn as well making homemade ice cream.”
Other programs for the summer will include the basics of wood shaving, quilting, dye, weaving, the game of Faro and gardening. The Saturday Spotlights will be rounded out with the Steamboat House opening to the public on July 27.
“Sam Houston died in the Steamboat House on July 26, 1863, and his funeral was held the next day in the upstairs parlor,” said Gajan. “This last event of our summer programs is a way to honor Houston’s life and give the public an opportunity to go inside the Steamboat House.”
Throughout the summer, two exhibits are also on display. “The Café Raven: Honoring Sam Houston” is on display at the museum until Sept. 1. The exhibit highlights Cafe Raven, a restaurant that was in downtown Huntsville from 1930-1969, it’s forward-thinking owner Abe Dabaghi and its connection to Sam Houston.
“Sam Houston: A Texas Icon” is on display in the exhibit gallery at the museum’s Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education until Aug. 25. Sam Houston remains a larger-than-life figure in Texas and American history with a career that spanned the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, annexation, early statehood and the state’s secession from the Union in 1861. “Sam Houston: Texas Icon” traces the life and career of Houston from his boyhood in Virginia and Tennessee through his retirement and eventual passing in Huntsville, Texas. The exhibition is produced by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This exhibition is made possible in part by funding from the Summerlee Foundation and a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library is part of Sam Houston State University and is dedicated to preserving the memory of Sam Houston (1793-1863) and his times in a 15-acre complex located on the site of the property and home of Gen. Sam Houston. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m.
