Experience Living History in the Texas Independence Trail Region
We've curated the perfect day for Texas history lovers. Look below to see how you can experience history first-hand at Levi Jordan, Presidio la Bahia, San Felipe de Austin, San Jacinto Battleground, or Varner-Hogg Plantation state historic sites. Then stay awhile to visit more heritage attractions, try some tasty places to eat, and rest your road warrior head at some unique places to stay the night.
Want to see and do more? There's lots to do in the Texas Independence Trail Region! Learn more about visiting our cities, heritage sites and attractions, and exciting events on our website.
Scavenger Hunt! – May 24-25
Come celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day with us! Join site staff on Friday, May 24th and Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn all about the history and archeology of the Levi Jordan Plantation by completing a scavenger hunt around the site. Completed scavenger hunts will be entered into a raffle to win a prize!
May 19-25: Self-Guided Tour of the Presidio
The Spanish Colonial Presidio, established on this site in 1749, was crucial to the development of Texas. Witnessing filibustering expeditions and playing a role in the Mexican war for independence from Spain, the Presidio was the site of the Goliad Massacre on Palm Sunday, 1836. It played host to one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico after the shocking Texian defeat at the Battle of Coleto Creek. The massacre prompted the rallying cry, "Remember Goliad," heard at the Battle of San Jacinto.
May 19-25: Self-Guided Tours of San Felipe de Austin
Commemorating the location where, in 1823, Stephen F. Austin established a headquarters for his colony in Mexican Texas, a state-of-the-art museum and historic townsite exhibit share the stories of early settlers in this region. Today, visitors can walk in the footsteps of these early pioneers at what was the social, economic, and political center of American immigration to Texas before independence.
May 23: Jose Antonio Navarro: Early Tejano Revolutionary with Kristin Rodriguez
Please join us for our next installment of our History At Night Series: Jose Antonio Navarro - Early Tejano Revolutionary with Assistant Site Manager to Casa Navarro, Kristin Rodriguez!
Jose Antonio Navarro utilized his familial and political ties to represent the citizens of San Antonio de Bexar under the governments of the Mexico, Republic of Texas, and United States. While he is best known for being one of two Tejanos signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Navarro also fought for Tejano rights and was a proponent of the economical growth of the region.
Picture Yourself at San Jacinto – May 19
You're invited to join us by the main entrance to receive a complimentary instant photograph of yourself or your group in front of the historic monument. Learn about its rich history and explore our pop-up photography gallery showcasing visitors’ photos throughout the years!
Come visit the Varner-Hogg Plantation and take part in a scavenger hunt!
Sketching Stories: Cattle Ranching & Caretaking - May 25
In this all-levels drawing class, you will be guided through a life drawing of real artifacts and discover the real stories of the people who used them! Join us May 25th for our first session and uncover the story of cowboy and caretaker, Hal Fields!
Self-Guided Tours of Varner Hogg Plantation - May 19-25
Generations of Texas history, commerce, and entrepreneurship are encapsulated at Varner-Hogg Plantation, which tells the stories of the many families, both enslaved and free, who worked to build Texas. Both floors of the main house as well as the smokehouse and 1920s kitchen are open for self-guided tours. We suggest allowing additional time for walking the plantation grounds and viewing other areas of interest.