Texian Heritage Tour
«
Frontier (Reconstruction)
Heritage Tour
«
Victorian Era Tour
«
Arts Heritage Tour
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Collections Heritage Tour
Group
Tour
Itineraries
and Procedures Guide
Our tour coordinator will work with you to develop a program
designed for accessibility and enjoyment.
Group tours of our museums and specialty shops are available
upon request, with or with-out ‘step-on’ guides, by contacting us at Tel. 979-732-8385.
Our
focus on the needs and abilities of everyone, including those with hearing
or other impairments, slow walkers and wheelchair travelers, which allows us to
provide "equal opportunity fun" so that all visitors are able to enjoy their
tourism experience.
Texian Heritage Tour - Option A
Having
been surveyed & platted in 1823, Columbus (then known as Beeson’s Crossing)
was a thriving community when, in 1836, the townspeople found themselves
caught between the Texian Army and Santa Anna’s Mexican Forces. Burned to
the ground by General Sam Houston to prevent the enemy from taking strategic
advantage of the town’s resources, this community was provided a first hand
view of Texas’ Struggle for Independence. Take this historic tour and learn
about Columbus’ role in the Runaway Scrape and how survivors such as Dilue
Rose Harris and Abraham Alley embraced and re-built their lives after
Houston’s decisive battle at San Jacinto won Texas for future generations.
Frontier
(Reconstruction) Heritage Tour - Option B
Travel
from the 1860’s to the early 20thth century when the borderland
transformed itself from a lawless group of disparate settlements to a
civilized, industrial society. During this tour, you’ll learn how the
fallout of the Civil War impacted the settlers in this tiny river town, how
the Texas Rangers got their start and why the beautiful Stafford Opera House
and the stately Colorado County Courthouse will forever be connected by
their history-making, but tragic past.
Victorian Heritage Tour - Option C
Experience the transition from Romantic to Victorian Society, via the
Industrial Revolution – Texas Style! For the elite, Victorian prosperity
arose from the development of new machinery, new work methods and improved
communications. Take this tour and learn how new social classes derived and
about the importance of the railway network on ordinary lives. The Tate-Senftenberg-Brandon
House first floor was originally built prior to Civil War in Greek
Revival-style, then remodeled in 1880s to present Victorian-style.
Arts Heritage Tour -
Option D
The
natural beauty of Colorado County has captured the eye and imagination of
poets, artists and explorers for centuries; therefore it was no surprise to
us when Texas Monthly identified Columbus as one of the “Best Small Towns
for Art” in their September 2004 edition. In 1848, Scotsman Robert Robson
built a castle on the river and began providing homes to local and itinerant
artists and through the years, many wonderful artists followed in his
footsteps. Today, their influence can be seen throughout the area. Learn
about the history of Columbus through the eyes of artists at the
Turner-Chapman Gallery, where Ken Turner’s visually stunning “ghost
paintings” are on display alongside work by other award-winning artists such
as Paulina Kearny and Charles Ford. Then rejuvenate at the Live Oak Art
Center where you’ll be able to view outstanding works from the center’s
permanent collection, as well as interesting rotating exhibits.
Collections Heritage Tour -
Option E
This tour highlights the collections of long-time Columbus
residents Mary Elizabeth Hopkins, Lee Quinn Nesbitt and Preston Kyle Shatto.
The
Preston Kyle Shatto Wildlife Museum was established to honor Mr.
Shatto's life long interest in outdoors and wildlife conservation. The
Museum features more than 65 different species, including Africa’s “Big
Five-” elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cape buffalo- and a white
rhinoceros, one of only two on exhibit in the United States. Mr. Shatto's
family hopes that the Museum will not only serve as a memorial to his
lifetime interest in wildlife and wildlife conservation, but it will promote
further the extreme importance of habitat preservation, strict enforcement
of game laws, anti-poaching controls, enlightened environmental standards,
and a general public appreciation for the beauty of nature as demonstrated
by the preservation of these treasured species.
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The
Mary Elizabeth Hopkins Santa Claus Museum pays tribute to
holiday-themed popular culture and showcases Ms. Hopkins’ collection, which
began with her first figurine, which she received in 1913 when she was just
6 months old! This interesting museum features over 2,000 representations
of Santa Claus, to include such notable items as the Duncan Royale series of
Santas, Thomas Nast styled artwork from the famous 19th century
American cartoonist, and figurines by Coca-Cola’s Haddon Sunbloom. The
exhibit comprises a remarkable collection of creatively designed figurines
made from a wide variety of materials to include ceramics, gourds, glass,
cast iron, plastic, wood, fabric, glass, and even a Reader’s Digest.
In addition to a vast
collection of literary works and archives, the Nesbitt Memorial Library
features a small collection of fine art, art reproductions, and a doll
collection with over 200 dolls and related artifacts, many of which were
once owned by benefactor Lee Quinn Nesbitt.
