Texas Independence Day / Sam Houston’s Birthday/Baptized Texan Ceremony
ANNUALLY MARCH 2nd CELEBRATIONS IN HUNTSVILLE
Every March 2 the Historical Commission celebrates Texas Independence Day and Sam Houston’s birthday with a ceremony at the Sam Houston gravesite in Oakwood Cemetery.
One of the highlights of the March 2 event is the “baptized Texan” ceremony in which those born in another state can be baptized as a Texan with holy water from the Sam Houston Spring in the name of Austin, Crockett, Bowie, Zavala and other Texas heroes.
Open Houses
The Historical Commission holds open houses throughout the year at the Gibbs-Powell House Walker County Museum. At some of these events, especially those that coincide with events on the Huntsville Square, the Commission serves a luncheon.
Fair on the Square
The Historical Commission participates in Fair on the Square the first weekend of every October with a table in the gazebo on the Courthouse Square. Commission members and volunteers hand out information on the Historical Commission and Walker County History and sell copies of historical documents and books.
Other Area Events
Huntsville Farmers Market (McKenzie’s parking lot); Walker County Farmers Market (Kroger parking lot).
“Texas History with Dr. Crimm – Through the Looking Glass,” Lecture Series, Huntsville Public Library, every Tuesday, 4:00 p.m.
“Stories to Tell My Grandchildren” Writing Circle, in the Johnnie Jo Sowell Dickenson Genealogy Room of the Huntsville Public Library, third Wednesday of each month, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Texas Archeology Month Exhibit, Exhibit Gallery, Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center through Oct. 25.
“Return to See, Leave to Breathe” Exhibition by digital composite artist Sydney Paige Richardson, Wynne Home, opening reception Thursday, October 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Annual Haunted Trails, Kate Barr Ross Park, Saturday, October 24, 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
FALL FUN FEST!, Staggs Community Room at the Huntsville Public Library, Friday, October 30, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Scare on the Square, Rather Park, Saturday, October 31, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Huntsville History Launch Party for East Texas Sheriff: Darrell White, a Country Boy and a Country Sheriff by Ruth White Lynch (the newest volume in the Huntsville History series edited by Dr. Carolina Castillo Crimm), Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library in the
Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, November 2, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
“Photo Contest Artist and Awards Reception,” Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library in the Exhibit Gallery in the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, Thursday, November 5, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.; “Photo Contest Exhibition” through December 20.
Downtown Huntsville Christmas Fair & Winter in the Park, Saturday, December 5.
Huntsville Lions Club 2026 Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 5, start time of 6:30 p.m.
Houston Family Christmas, grounds of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Republic of Texas Presidential Library, Saturday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For the full Old Town Theatre fall lineup click:
https://www.oldtowntheatrehuntsville.org/events.html
Walker County Historical Commission Monthly Meeting
October 19,2026,
5:30 pm to 7 pm
Gibbs-Powell Home Museum
1228 11th Street
Huntsville, TX 77340
Museum Phone: (936) 295-2914
Office Phone: (936) 435-2497
Email: mailto:history@co.walker.tx.us
