Texas Independence Day / Sam Houston’s Birthday/Baptized Texan Ceremony
ANNUALLY MARCH 2nd CELEBRATIONS IN HUNTSVILLE
45th ANNUAL GENERAL SAM HOUSTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN HUNTSVILLE
The Walker County Historical Commission, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, and the City of Huntsville Tourism Department cordially invite you to Huntsville’s 45th Annual General Sam Houston’s Birthday Celebration on Monday, March 2, 2026.
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members and volunteers hand out information on the Historical Commission and Walker County History and sell copies of historical documents and books.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
“History with Dr. Crimm,” Lecture Series, Huntsville Public Library, every Tuesday, 4:30 –5:30 p.m.
Stories to Tell My Grandchildren Writing Workshop, Huntsville Public Library Genealogy Room, third Wednesday of each month, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
For the full Old Town Theatre summer lineup click: https://www.oldtowntheatre- huntsville.org/events.html
Huntsville Farmers Market (McKenzie’s parking lot); Walker County Farmers Market (Kroger parking lot).
Art Exhibition by Gayle Pruitt, the Wynne Home, through March.
Prison City Film Festival, Old Town Theatre, February 25 – 28.
“An Evening with Sam,” Bear Bend Cabin on the Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds, Sunday, March 1, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
General Sam Houston’s Birthday Celebration, Monday, March 2
“The Art of David Adickes” exhibit in the Exhibit Gallery of the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, March 3 – May 31; opening Reception March 2, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Annual “Empty Bowls” Fundraiser, Wynne Home, March 4, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Rusty, Chippy, Antique, Vintage, & Repurpose Show, Walker County Fairgrounds, March 14 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) & March 15 (10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
Prison City Crawfish, Beer, & Music Fest, Downtown Huntsville, Saturday, March 21, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Texas Thyme Unit Herb Festival, Wynne Home, Saturday, April 11, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Junk-a-Palooza, University Avenue, Downtown Huntsville, Saturday, April 18, 8:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Walker County Historical Commission Monthly Meeting
Monday, March 16, 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