Star of the Republic Museum, Historical museum in Washington, United States

This two-story institution holds exhibits focused on the history and society of the Texas Republic from 1836 to 1846. The collections feature artifacts and documents from that era, showing what life and governance looked like during those 10 years.

The Texas Legislature created this museum in 1969, and it opened in 1970 on Texas Independence Day. It was established to document the brief period when Texas existed as an independent nation before joining the United States.

The second floor displays how people lived and the different groups who inhabited 1830s Texas, including a recreated riverboat journey down the Brazos River. This hands-on experience helps visitors see what daily life looked like along the water during that era.

The museum is one of three venues in the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, alongside Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm. Exhibits fill two floors, the first shaped as a five-point Texas star and the second as a pentagon. The second floor has an observation deck over the 300-acre park. During the Texas Independence Day weekend, all park sites can be toured free of charge.

This is the only museum in Texas created specifically by legislative action to tell the story of the independent Republic. The recreated riverboat journey stands out as a rare hands-on way to experience how people moved and traded during that time.