Star of the Republic Museum

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 remains closed for renovation work until 2025, after which visitors will be able to explore the extensive collections. Plan to spend a couple of hours here to comfortably see both floors and the exhibits without rushing.

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.