The Texas State Library and Archives Commission invites the community to celebrate Independence Day early during a free, family-friendly event commemorating America’s 250th birthday on Saturday, June 27, at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center.
Doors open at 10 a.m., with activities and attractions continuing throughout the day until 3 p.m.
The celebration will feature crafts for children, guest speakers, documentary film screenings, storytime for young visitors, and a variety of other activities. Guests can also enjoy self-guided tours of the historic buildings located on the Center’s grounds.
Members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas will provide craft demonstrations and share information about the tribe’s history and culture. Guest speakers scheduled to appear include Thomas Jackson, Dr. Carolina Castillo Crimm, and Larry and Barbara Stevens.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the Center’s museum, where a new special exhibit, Patriotism Lives in Liberty: The 1976 American Bicentennial, will be on display alongside the permanent exhibit, Atascosito: The History of Southeast Texas. Select items from the archives in Austin and Liberty will also be exhibited for the event.
The Center’s grounds are home to several preserved historic structures, including the Hull-Daisetta Rotary Building, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Gillard-Duncan House and the Norman House. Guests can pick up an event passport and travel from site to site, participating in activities and collecting stamps. Those who complete their passport will receive a prize.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
A full schedule of events is available at www.tsl.texas.gov/america250/shc. For more information, contact the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center at samhoustoncenter@tsl.texas.gov or call 936-336-8821.
Supporters of the event include the Atascosito Historical Society; the City of Liberty, including the Fire Department, Police Department and Liberty Municipal Library; First Liberty Bank; the Liberty Lions Club; Liberty High School Art and Woodworking; and the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center serves as the official regional historical resource depository for 10 Southeast Texas counties: Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler. The Center collects, preserves and provides access to historically significant state and local government records and publications while also serving as a library of Texana and genealogical resources.
