Make History Your Adventure This Summer at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum
Make History Your Adventure This Summer at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library has an array of events planned for families this summer. Beginning Saturday, June 13, the Summer Spotlight Program will begin. Running every Saturday until July 25 (excluding July 4), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the museum’s education department will be on the museum grounds hosting free activities for all ages.
“We have a wide variety of engaging activities planned this summer, giving visitors a hands-on way to experience life in the 19th century,” said Matt Phillips, curator of education. “We’ll kick off our Saturday Spotlight series on June 13 with a look at historical textile dyeing techniques.”
Other programs for the summer will include the basics of black powder muskets, drill demonstrations, grinding corn, quilting, fiber arts and homemade ice cream making. The Saturday Spotlights will round out with the Steamboat House open to the public on July 25.
“Sam Houston died in the Steamboat House on July 26, 1863, and his funeral was held in the upstairs parlor the next day,” said Phillips. “This last event of our summer programs is a way to honor Houston’s life and give the public an opportunity to go inside the Steamboat House.”
Complementing the spotlight programs, the museum will also have a series of historical demonstrations, including blacksmithing, spinning, kick wheel pottery and woodworking. All outdoor programs are free and open to the public. Regular admission fees apply for those wishing to tour the Sam Houston Memorial Museum.
The museum will also celebrate America250 on Thursday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some of the activities will include reading the Declaration of Independence on the front porch of the Woodland Home, military drills and musket firing demonstrations, getting your silhouette cut by Silhouettes and Such, ice cream and more. Free admission to the museum will be offered on this day.
Throughout the summer, there are also two exhibits on display. “Texas America250” is currently on display until Aug. 16 in the atrium of the museum’s Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center. The exhibit highlights historically significant Texas Treasures from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, encouraging all Americans to explore the story of the Lone Star State over the past 250 years.
“The Return of the Backroom Curiosities,” an exhibition of unique, unusual and off-the-wall items from the museum's vault will be on display June 16 – Aug. 30, 2026, in the exhibit gallery at the Walker Education Center.
“While the greater portion of our archive reflects the museum’s mission and purpose, we have a remarkable collection of items, some of which… well, they might just leave you scratching your head and wearing a puzzled expression,” said Tod Lawlis, curator of exhibits. “In 2013, the museum rolled out an exhibit called Backroom Curiosities. Now, in 2026, we’ve decided to return to the vault in search of the interesting, unique and oddly fascinating.”
The museum has also unveiled the categories and rules for its annual photo contest, with plenty of time for participants to capture their submissions before the October 28, 2026 entry deadline. The nine categories are Sam Houston Museum and grounds, action, animals, architecture, cuisine/food, fashion, floral, portrait and America250. Information about the 16th annual contest can be found under events on the museum’s website.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library is part of Sam Houston State University and is dedicated to preserving the memory of Sam Houston (1793-1863) and his times in a 15-acre complex located on the site of the property and home of Gen. Sam Houston. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4:30 p.m. To learn more about the programs and exhibits at the museum, visit samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com or follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.