The Daughters of The Republic of Texas

Battle of Flowers Parade

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 03:45:27 +0000

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) President General, Karen Thompson, and Dr. Sharon Skrobarcek, President of the Alamo Mission Chapter participated in the Battle of Flowers Parade part of Fiesta® San Antonio on Friday, April 27, in San Antonio, Texas. They rode in a horse (“Jake”) drawn carriage decorated with flowers as the route made its way to the Alamo. An estimated crowd of over 350,000 lined the streets of downtown San Antonio to enjoy colorful floats and pagentry in the Battle of Flowers Parade.

The Battle of Flowers Parade was first conceived early in 1891 as a way to remember the memory of the fallen heroes at the Alamo and to commemorate the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, where Texas had gained its independence from Mexico. The year 1891 also holds a special significance to DRT. The organization was founded in 1891. DRT has participated in the Battle of Flowers Parade since 1925.

Mission Olives Come Back to The Alamo

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:26:33 +0000

Trees on 1760s Spanish Inventory List from Mission de Valero

Olive trees have been a staple for millennia in European countries that settled the Americas. The tree possess an almost titanic resistance, a vital force which renders it nearly immortal. Despite harsh winters and burning summers, they continue to grow, proud and strong reaching towards the sky, bearing fruit which produces oil that nourishes and heals the body. This made the olive ideal for new colonies in the northern frontiers of Spanish Texas.

According to Spanish Archives, olive trees appeared on Inventory Lists from the 1760s of the San Antonio Franciscan Missions. This included the first one transferred and built in this region; Mission de Valero, later known as The Alamo. In fact, the type of olive that became so prevalent at Spanish Missions from Texas to California, is now referred to as the “Mission Olive”, hence its name. But after Valero was secularized in 1793, the olive trees vanished.

Then in 1914, fruit bearing olive trees were again brought to South Texas by land developer Asher Richardson, who planted them at his Bel-Asher mansion in Asherton, deep in the Wintergarden. Amazingly those trees survive to this day, and were in part the inspiration for Texas olive pioneers Sandy Winokur, Jim Henry and others to plant olives on their farms south of San Antonio. Olives can grow in Texas, and produce some of the best extra-virgin olive oil on the planet.

To recognize Mission de Valero’s (The Alamo) inclusion with the four other San Antonio Franciscan Missions into nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sandy Winokur (Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard) has donated three Spanish and Mission olive trees to be planted at The Alamo on April 18 at 1:00pm. Blessed and consecrated in a traditional manner by a Franciscan Priest, the planting ceremony will mark a historic return of Olive Trees to this old Spanish Mission.

“Olive trees were an integral part of everyday life in the Spanish Texas Missions”, said Karen Thompson, President General of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas (“DRT”). “The oil was used for cooking and religious ceremonies, just as it is today in Mexico. We are delighted to have the trees return to The Alamo.”

The French Legation Museum presents “Evening Under the Oaks” with Gina Chavez!

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:48:13 +0000

The French Legation Museum is happy to continue the Evening Under the Oaks Fundraising Concert Series with Gina Chavez on Friday, April 27, 2012! Celebrated locally, Chavez has also received national attention, and National Public Radio hailed Chavez as one of eight “New Latin Artists at SXSW,” calling her music a “perfect mix of Latin, folk and blue grass.” Proceeds from the concert benefit the Museum, so come check out Gina and join us as we support local music and local history! For more information click on this link: ”Evening Under the Oaks“

The French Legation stands today as the oldest home in Austin, and was built by Alphonse Dubois in 1841 to serve as a diplomatic outpost for Louis Philippe, King of the French, to the Republic of Texas. For more information about the French Legation Museum, its programs and mission, please visit www.frenchlegationmuseum.org. The French Legation Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of Texas history and culture through preservation of the legacy, structure, and collections of the French Legation of the Republic of Texas.

The French Legation Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that stands as a reminder of life in the Republic of Texas era. The property is owned by the State of Texas, and The Daughters of the Republic of Texas are the custodians of the site.

DRT Past President General Patti Atkins named Citizen of the Year

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:18:56 +0000

2009-2011 President General Patti Atkins

DRT is proud to have one of their members, past President General (2009-2011), Mary Patricia “Patti” Atkins receive the “2011 Liberty County Citizen of the Year” award. Ms. Atkins is a member of the Franklin Hardin Chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Ms. Atkins receive the award for her numerous contributions to many organizations including the Special Olympics, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the American Heart Association, Liberty County Historical Commission, East Liberty County Historical Society, and most recently the Tri-County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board. Patti Atkins has also been honored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

For more on this, please see the news article from Liberty County’s The Vindicator web site at this link.

Texas Independence Celebration Event

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:05:41 +0000

The Sterling C. Robertson Chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), invites everyone to celebrate Texas Independence on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event will be held in Knox Hall in The Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

For more information, click on this link.

French Legation Museum Closed in February for Structural Restoration

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:54:28 +0000

French Legation Museum

The French Legation Museum located in Austin, Texas will be closed to the public during the month of February for structural restoration according to the museum’s associate curator, Noel Harris Freeze. The grounds and other buildings will reopened on March 1, 2012. However, the historic house, itself, is scheduled to reopen on May 1, 2012.

The French Legation Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that stands as a reminder of life in the Republic of Texas era. The property is owned by the State of Texas, and The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) are the custodians of the site.

For more information, please contact Noel Harris Freeze, Associate Curator at: noel.harrisfreeze@frenchlegationmuseum.org

French Legation Museum Website: http://frenchlegationmuseum.org/

An Enchanted Evening Under the Oaks: A Magical Evening in a Magical Space

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:42:43 +0000

The French Legation Museum invites you to spend a special evening of enchantment under its beautiful oaks on January 27, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. Making a special appearance at this event will be world renown magicians Arsene Dupin and Michael Alan Kaufman whose family-friendly performance will be sure to please, inspire, and leave you guessing.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 512-472-8180.

For more information and a copy of the press release, please click on this link: French Legation Press Release 01-11-2012.

“Political Ties Fête and Auction” Event

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:02:32 +0000

French Legation Museum, Austin

The Political Ties Fête (Party) and Auction event will be held on Wednesday, September 14, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the historic French Legation Museum in Austin, Texas. Distinguished hosts include Senators Kirk Watson and Jeff Wentworth; Representatives, Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard, Eddie Rodriguez, Mark Strama, Elliott Naishtat, Doug Miller, Paul Workman; Mayor Lee Leffingwell; and French Consul and Commercial Counselor Frédéric Bontems.

The evening of fun and fundraising includes a light supper, champagne, political paraphernalia auction and a chance to enter a drawing for a week-long stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. The fundraiser will benefit the French Legation Musuem’s Glorious Opportunity Preservation Campaign.

Tickets are $25/person
RSVP required. 512-472-8180Tickets available online at: French Legation Museum

The French Legation was originally built by the French diplomat, to The Republic of Texas, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny. In 1956, the home became a museum under the custodianship of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas. Today, the Museum is devoted to sharing the site’s past and rich cultural history of Texas with the public.

DRT to Honor Republic of Texas Veteran

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:51:03 +0000

DRT medallion

James Lauderdale Mills, a veteran of the Republic of Texas Army, will be honored with a Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, September 11. The ceremony is being held by the Elizabeth Zumwalt Kent Chapter, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, based in Smiley, at the Wrightsboro Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. James L. Mills served under Captain McFarland’s Company A as a soldier and participated in the battles of Salado Creek and Plum Creek, and also served in the Mier Expedition of 1836-38.

For more information, contact Marjorie Lee Burnett at 830-587-6445.

Save A Life Blood Drive at The Alamo

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:18:42 +0000

On Monday, September 12, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., there will be a blood drive at The Alamo at Alamo Hall. Anyone that is 16 years old weighing 120 pounds (with a parental consent form, or at least 17 years old weighing 110 pounds, and in good general health can donate blood. An identification card is required.

For more information, contact Pattie Sandoval at 512-225-1391, ext. 44.

Save A Life Flyer