Sites to Visit
Star of the Republic Museum
A visit to the museum provides an overview of the Texas Republic period, beginning with a thirty-minute film entitled, Independence: A Lone Star Rises Following the video, visitors can browse through the museum's exhibits to learn about the social, political, and economic history of early Texas.Over 1,000 artifacts are on display throughout our two floors of exhibits. The Pioneer Playroom provides hands-on activities for children of all ages! Please allow at least 1 hour to see everything. Hand-held audio tour devices are also available at no charge.The museum is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
Barrington Plantation
Visitors will have an opportunity to experience life in early Texas with a tour of Barrington Plantation, home of Anson Jones, last President of the Republic of Texas. Discover the sights, sounds and smells of life on a small cotton plantation in 1850. Learn about farm chores such as plowing, feeding the chickens, working in the garden, cooking on an open hearth or picking cotton. Life at Barrington changes with the seasons, so you will always find something new! Self-guided, approximately 1 hour allotted to see everything. The plantation is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beginning June 2019, the Plantation will be closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Please note: For visitor and staff safety, whenever inclement weather (thunder and lightning) is present, Barrington Plantation will close and remain closed for 30 minutes after the last episode of thunder or lightning.
Independence Hall and Townsite
With a guided tour of Independence Hall, visitors will learn about the beginnings of the Republic of Texas, the convention of the provisional government of 1836, and the Texas Declaration of Independence. Tours leave from the back doors inside of the Visitor Center and progress to a replica of Independence Hall on the old Washington Townsite. Tours last approximately 40 minutes and involve walking about 100 yards. Seating is available inside Independence Hall and the building is wheelchair accessible. Hand-held audio tour devices are also available.
Independence Hall/Townsite Public Tour Times:
Weekdays: Tours for the general public are offered at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. unless scheduled groups of 20 or more persons are touring at those times. Visitors may call ahead (936-878-2214 ext. 222) and check with the Visitor Center, or inquire upon arrival, regarding the availability of public tours for that day. No reservations are necessary for public tours.
Weekends: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Visitor Center/Gift Shop
The Visitor Center is an excellent place to begin a tour of Washington-on-the-Brazos. This location provides restrooms, a gift shop, a comprehensive display explaining the various park sites and their historical significance, as well as the opportunity to buy tickets to any and all of the park's three sites. The Gift Shop offers a wide range of Texas-themed items and keepsakes. No fee is required to enter the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and Gift Shop are open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Group Tours
For groups of adults, please visit our Scheduled Adult Tour Information Page. For information about student tours, please visit our School Program Options.
