The 168th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence will be celebrated on February 28- 29, 2004, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.

Period music, military re-enactors, dramatic performers, and historic craft demonstrators will help create a festive atmosphere throughout the site. On Sunday afternoon a special ceremony will be held to remember the determination and courage of the early Texas pioneers. A giant-sized birthday cake will be cut at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Independence Hall, located within the complex, is a replica of the building where 59 brave men came together in 1836 to declare Texas a free and independent nation and to form a new government. At the Star of the Republic Museum, visitors will have the rare opportunity to view the only remaining, hand written Declaration of Independence, on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives. The Museum will also unveil a new introductory video production in the Museum theater. Also within the park is the Barrington Living History Farm an 1850s working farm of the last president of the Republic of Texas, Anson Jones.

All admission fees will be waived for the Celebration weekend.

The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Barrington Living History Farm is open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Star of the Republic Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located off Highway 105 between Brenham and Navasota on FM 1155. For more information, call (936) 878-2214.