NOTE: This event has been canceled.
In 1821, Stephen F. Austin, known as the “Father of Texas,” made a contract to bring 300 families to the Spanish province, which now is Texas. By 1823, probably more than 600 to 700 people were in Texas, hardy colonists from the various portions of the United States at that time, who settled not far from the Gulf of Mexico.
There was no regular army to protect them, so Austin called the citizens together and organized a group to provide the needed protection. Austin first referred to this group as the Rangers in 1823, for their duties compelled them to range over the entire country, thus giving rise to the service known as the Texas Rangers.
The Texas Rangers Heritage Center was built for the purpose of promoting that legacy with a 12-acre site that will be the future home of a world-class educational facility, located on Hwy 290 in Fredericksburg, TX.
On August 5, 2017, we will celebrate the memory of all those who have worn the badge of a Ranger with the 1st Annual Texas Rangers Day. This event featured a history symposium as well as educational programs for the general public, food vendors, collections of Texas Ranger memorabilia, living history ranger camps and cannon demonstrations.
This year’s theme is the about the duties the modern Texas Rangers, elite investigators of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The symposium will feature a number of speakers, including Chief of the Texas Rangers, Chance Collins, Lieutenant Wende Wakeman, and more.
The Texas Rangers Day History Symposium will begin at 10am on August 1st, and conclude at 3pm. Tickets are necessary for the event due to current COVID-19 standards and can be purchased by calling 830-990-1192; $20 in advance, $25 the day of the event. Lunch and parking are included. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
The Texas Rangers Heritage Center, which opened Phase I in the Fall of 2015, is an ongoing project of the Former Texas Rangers Association and the Former Texas Rangers Foundation. The FTRA was founded in 1897 and exists to preserve the true history of the Texas Rangers, to maintain and operate a museum dedicated to the Texas Rangers, to establish landmarks related to Ranger history, to administer a scholarship program, and to bring Former Rangers, Rangers and Ranger families together for fellowship, support and mutual purpose.
Since the Foundation’s establishment in 1971, to support the efforts of the oldest officially recognized Texas Ranger Organization – the FTRA, the Foundation has focused its sights on serving current and former Texas Rangers, their families and their rich and storied contributions to Texas history.
Visitors to the Center will be able to tour the landmarks of Phase I which include the Open-Air Pavilion, Campanile bell tower, Ranger Ring of Honor and the history this project seeks to preserve for generations of people to come.
Texas Rangers Heritage Center, 1618 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, 830-990-1192
