Texas Independence

Washington-on-the-Brazos, the birthplace of Texas, was a crucible of Texas democracy—the place where Texans’ gave voice to their grievances, forged their Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and brought forth a new nation: the Republic of Texas. Yet it is given short shrift in the telling of Texas history, overshadowed by the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, in both schools and popular culture. Men like Travis, Houston and Austin understood at the time that without the convention, the Texas Declaration of Independence, and the establishment of a democratic government, the world would see the Texas revolution as just an uprising of disgruntled farmers and outlaws.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site and the Star of the Republic Museum are devoted to restoring Washington-on-the-Brazos and the Convention of 1836 to their rightful place in Texas history, of equal if not greater importance than the epic battles of 1835-36. Unfortunately, only 3% of Texas' 687,000 fourth and seventh grade students have the opportunity to visit these sites annually.

Thus, the Texas Independence Web site, which brings the struggle, compromise and sacrifice of the Convention of 1836 and the men who founded that new nation to a new generation and takes Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site into every classroom in Texas.

The Texas Independence Web site restores Washington-on-the-Brazos and the Convention of 1836 to their rightful place in Texas history, of equal if not greater importance than the epic battles of 1835-36. The Web site offers a rich variety of activities and resources, from dramatic animations to timeline and storytelling interactives to primary source documents and lesson plans, all designed specially to meet Texas State teaching requirements for 4th and 7th grade teachers and their students. The centerpiece of the site is "In Washington Town," a Web-based 3D game in which players explore a virtual recreation of Washington in March 1836. Over the course of the game, players meet key figures in the independence movement while discovering why ordinary Texans came to support this risky path. By exploring the site's many features, students will experience the days of revolution in new and compelling ways, deepening their understanding of the struggles, compromises, and sacrifices of the Convention of 1836.This project is a collaboration between the Star of the Republic Museum, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Washington on the Brazos Park Association, and Blinn College. The Web site and 3D game were designed and developed by Eduweb.