Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Republic of Texas Presidential Library

06/24/2026

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day! Today we celebrate fathers everywhere.

Sam Houston’s children meant the world to him—a sentiment shared by many:
“The piety, and accomplishment, of my children are to me objects dear to my heart. To see my sons honest, manly and noble, my Daughters gentle, pure, and pious, surpass all earthly objects of desire on earth. My prayers, and hopes are united to heaven that such may be their characters.” (Sam Houston to his daughter Maggie, December 26, 1858)

06/19/2026

: June 19 (“Juneteenth”), 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order Number 3, which read in part, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.” (TSHA, https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/lkj01)

In honor of Juneteenth, we remember Joshua Houston, Sr. seen in the picture leading the Juneteenth parade in Huntsville around the turn of the twentieth century. We believe the cane Joshua is carrying was given to him by Sam Houston.

Joshua was born a slave in Alabama in 1822 and came to Texas with Sam and Margaret Houston. He served the Houston family as a blacksmith, wheelwright, carpenter, and driver. He also learned to read and write. Joshua and his son Samuel Walker Houston became leading figures in Huntsville’s African American community.

The Joshua Houston family left a lasting legacy in Huntsville. A historical marker stands in Huntsville where Joshua Houston, Sr. built his home and woodshop. His son Joshua Houston, Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and became a blacksmith. Jr’s home is preserved to this day here in Huntsville. An elementary school in Huntsville Independent School District is named after Samuel Walker

And, here at the museum, Joshua’s story is an important part of our history.

06/18/2026

Come see a powerful piece of Texas history: the ring Sam Houston wore for 50 years, now on display at the San Jacinto Museum.
This simple gold band witnessed decades of leadership, legacy, and the making of a legend. Don't miss your chance to stand face to face with one of Sam Houston’s most personal artifacts.
www.sanjacinto-museum.org
Plan your visit and explore the stories that shaped Texas.

06/16/2026

Earlier today, our director was on Hello Huntsville. Here is a snippet from the segment talking about a receipt we have in our collection from Sam Houston on July 2, 1838.

06/16/2026

Now Open…Return of the Backroom Curiosities!

This is an exhibition of unique, unusual, and off-the-wall items from the museum’s vault that the public does not typically get to see.

It’s on display from June 16 - September 6, 2026 in the exhibit gallery at the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center located at 1402 19th Street.

Stop by during business hours to see our newest exhibit!

06/15/2026

Celebrate America 250!

Stop by the Wigwam Neosho Museum Store and grab your commemorative America 250 magnet—a perfect keepsake to remember this milestone.

While you're here, explore our collection of unique magnets—there’s something for everyone!

The museum store is open Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

And, mark your calendar to join us on Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a special celebration honoring America’s 250th!

Bring your family and friends to enjoy these activities:
• Reading of the Declaration of Independence hourly on the front porch of Sam Houston’s Woodland Home. Featuring celebratory toasts and live cannon firing.
• Military drills and musket firing demonstrations with our living history interpreters.
• Get your silhouette cut courtesy of Silhouettes & Such.
• Ice cream & punch at Eliza’s Kitchen.
• Blacksmithing
• SAR & DAR on hand to visit with guests about the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution

✨ Free admission for all.✨

Experience history, hands-on fun, and patriotic spirit right here at the museum. It’s the perfect way to kick off your Independence Day celebrations!

06/14/2026

: June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution adopting the flag of the United States of America.

In honor of Flag Day, we found a letter that Sam Houston wrote to Margaret on March 10, 1846, from Houston. Texas became the twenty-eighth state admitted to the Union in December 1845 with the official transfer of government authority taking place in February 1846.

“To day about 1 oclock I came to Town. I ate dinner, seen [sic] to some matters, & by invitation, with several gentleman, went to the arsenal, and received a salute of twenty-eight guns. I there saw the U States flag, flying in the breeze. We do really form part, and parcel of the American Union….”