Texas Baptist Historical Museum

07/26/2026

“Texas, Texas…Margaret”

At 6:15 p.m. on July 26, 1863, Sam Houston passed away from pneumonia in the downstairs parlor of the rented Steamboat House.

After the death of her husband, Margaret opened the family Bible and inscribed inside, “Died on the 26th of July 1863 General Sam Houston, the beloved and affectionate husband and father, the devoted patriot, the fearless soldier, the meek and lowly Christian.”

07/10/2026

We are excited to join in celebration of God’s preservation and goodness to this sweet fellowship of believers in Independence.

07/05/2026

Ready to hear from Thomas Jefferson on drafting the Declaration of Independence.

07/03/2026

Join us Sunday afternoon at 3pm in the Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre in Brenham as Thomas Jefferson presents the Declaration of Independence.

06/06/2026

Come see our history!

June 5, 1837, the Congress of the Republic of Texas granted a charter to the citizens of Independence, Washington County, for the establishment of a nonsectarian, nonpolitical "seminary." The charter was a response to a petition presented a month before by John P. Coles, a large landowner and Old Three Hundred settler who had founded Coles' Settlement, later Independence. In order to carry out the charter, the young Henry F. Gillette bought an existing girls' school from Frances Thompson. Hugh Wilson, a Presbyterian minister, taught at the new academy. In 1839 the institution, known as Independence Female Academy, enrolled more than fifty students taught by a Miss McGuffin. In 1841 Edward Fontaine, a Methodist minister who later became an Episcopalian minister of considerable importance in Austin, taught at the school. Independence Academy closed in 1845. Its property was purchased and donated to the newly chartered Baylor University. Not until the Constitution of 1845 were the requirements for a system of public education legally and thoroughly specified.

TSHA
Photo in Washington County, credited to Michael P

04/12/2026

Margaret Houston shared a birthday month with two of her daughters.

Margaret Lea Houston (Maggie), named for her mother, was born on April 13, 1848. She was the first of the Houston children to be born in the Woodland Home.

Mary William Houston (Mollie or Mary Willie) was born on April 9, 1850, at the Woodland Home as well.

03/11/2026

Please join us the last two Saturdays in March for hands-on history at the Museum and historic houses at Baylor Park.

Spring is here and it's time for Bluebonnets and the IHS Spring Tours of the Early Texas historic buildings in Independence. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this event, enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers, and learn about Texas history.

12/13/2025

12/05/2025

Stop by as we celebrate our freshly painted chapel! We will have drinks and cookies along with crafts for the kids!