TEXAS STATE HISTORIAN TO SPEAK AT BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM MARCH 23

  

The Texas State Historian will be the speaker for the second installment of the Brenham Heritage Museum’s Dr. Wilfred Dietrich Speaker Series.

Dr. Rick McCaslin will give a presentation titled “Washington-on-the-Brazos in the Civil War: The Dixie Blues in Hood’s Texas Brigade” on Monday, March 23^rd.  The program will be held at the museum beginning with a members-only reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 p.m.

Dr. McCaslin will share information on how men from Washington-on-the-Brazos served during the Civil War in Company E of the Fifth Texas Infantry, known as the Dixie Blues.  Assigned to Hood’s Texas Brigade, they fought under the command of Robert E. Lee in nearly every major battle in the eastern theater of the war.  Meanwhile, the conflict took a heavy toll on their hometown, initiating a long decline from which it never fully recovered.

The event coincides with the Brenham Heritage Museum’s latest temporary exhibit, Independence Reborn, which explores the history of Washington-on-the-Brazos and features artifacts on loan from the recently-reopened Star of the Republic Museum.

Brenham Heritage Museum Interim Executive Director Ciera Harris said the ongoing efforts to preserve Washington County’s history include bringing in seasoned historians who can discuss the community’s shared past, and that there is no one better to discuss the history of Washington-on-the-Brazos than the Texas State Historian.

Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, the State Historian works to increase public knowledge of the state’s past, encourage the teaching of Texas history in public schools, consult with state leaders on matters related to history, and present programs on important topics in Texas history.

Dr. McCaslin, of Denton, currently serves as the Director of Publications for the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) after retiring as a professor of Texas history at the University of North Texas.  A fellow of TSHA, he is the author or editor of 21 books, eight of which have received awards.

The event is sponsored by BRE Longhorns.  Admission is $15 per person, and seating is limited.

To RSVP, visit www.bhmtexas.org/programs.