Future Plans: Republic of Texas History Complex

University students can work as interns at the two Austin museums with advance preparation and coordination with The Daughters of The Republic of Texas. Historical and genealogy workshops and seminars, and historical re-enactments are offered throughout the year in collaboration with area academic institutions and other historical associations. These normally surround the eleven annual Texas Honor Days.

January 26 – Mirabeau B. Lamar Day February 19 – Texas Statehood Day March – Texas History Month March 2 – Texas Independence and Flag Day March 6 – Alamo Heroes Day March 27 – Goliad Heroes Day April 21 – San Jacinto Day September/3rd Saturday – Texian Navy Day October 2 – Gonzales Day November 3 – Stephen F. Austin’s Birthday November 6 – DRT Founders Day

The Daughters of The Republic of Texas maintains the Republic of Texas Museum, and conducts educational programs and its business operations in a building located in North Austin under an unattractive overpass at the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and Interstate Highway 35. Originally commercial in nature, the building was not intended to serve as a museum. Regardless, we have created a museum space within this facility. The location at 510 East Anderson Lane is not easy for visitors to locate, nor does it have adequate parking for school buses and large groups of visitors. In addition, the building is located far from the French Legation Museum and grounds, where we have maintained significant operations since 1949.

The Republic of Texas History Complex is our Vision for the 21st Century. It will involve the consolidation of all the Austin activities of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas at the site of the historic French Legation, in an area called Robertson Hill. By bringing all aspects of our work together at one location, our

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operational efficiency will be improved and visitors of all ages and walks of life will have a quality, satisfying experience as they learn about the fascinating history of Texas, the city of Austin, and The Daughters of The Republic of Texas. By doing so, we will better meet our mission to perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.

The French Legation Museum and grounds are centrally located in downtown Austin, immediately on the east side of Interstate Highway 35, accessible by a main downtown artery, E. 7th Street. It is easy to find by visitors, and is an area where we can easily construct a new facility, the Republic of Texas History Center, on land yet to be acquired, immediately adjacent to the French Legation on San Marcos Street. By moving our operations to this area, The Daughters of The Republic of Texas will become more efficient, more accessible, and more sophisticated overall.

While we do have an initial architectural rendering of the proposed Center by Tom Hatch of Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects, Austin, we continue to revise and fine-tune the original floor plan. We are working closely with the Texas Historical Commission and the Heritage Society of Austin to ensure the new Center is properly situated and does not conflict with the historic nature of the French Legation site and historic homestead – which is the oldest structure remaining in Austin. The design will be 16,000 square feet in size (3 floors), and references the French Legation Museum building and the historic East Austin neighborhood nearby. The new Center is meant to compliment them from an architectural standpoint. This basic premise guides a Vision for the 21st Century. The new Center will also be a “green” building in keeping with environmental concerns of our state and nation today.

The building we currently occupy in North Austin – containing the Republic of Texas Museum and the business offices of our organization – will eventually be sold and the proceeds applied to the Republic of Texas History Complex campaign budget.

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