Ghosts of the Texas Republic
Tour Overview
"Ghosts of the Texas Republic" is a two-day adventure through the unforgettable history of the Republic of Texas, with Dr. Andrew Torget as your personal guide. Our tour begins the moment we step on the bus, as Dr. Torget sets the scene during the mid-1830s when Texans – amid the chaos of the Texas Revolution – founded the Lone Star Republic in the village of Washington-on-the-Brazos. We will tour the recently restored historic Washington-on-Brazos, where Texas declared its independence and the site of the first capital of the Republic. We will also tour nearby Barrington Farm – home of Anson Jones, the final Texas president – and enjoy the recently-unveiled Star of the Republic Museum, whose state-of-the-art exhibits explore life in Texas during the Republic. On the second day, Dr. Torget will lead us on an extensive private tour of the ghost town of Independence, which was the wealthiest community in the Republic and the home of President Sam Houston and his family. Following a private lunch on the grounds of picturesque Antique Rose Emporium, we will swing by the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory in Brenham so everyone can enjoy a cone on the ride back to Denton. Along the way, we will hear stories of the Republic’s remarkable history, stay in a beautiful hotel, enjoy delicious food, hear amazing lectures, travel in the comfort of a chartered bus, and enjoy private tours of both world-famous sites and historic places that no one else gets to see.
Date
April 11-12, 2027
Duration
2 days, 1 night
Cost
$575 per person
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — April 11, 2027: Where the Republic Was Born: Washington-on-the-Brazos
Today we explore iconic Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Texas declared its independence in 1836 and the home of two presidents of the Republic. Dr. Torget will lead a personal tour of the recently restored village, including the famous Independence Hall, Sam Houston's presidential office, the Hatfield Exchange and Congress Hall (where the Republic’s final congress met), and other important sites throughout the historic village. We will then take a personal tour of Barrington Farm, the home of Anson Jones – Texas’s final president – as we explore the workings of a nineteenth-century Texas plantation. Finally, we will tour the world-class Star of the Republic Museum (recently renovated for $54 million) before enjoying a private dinner in Navasota on our way to our hotel.
Denton to Washington-on-the-Brazos
Lunch, Dinner
Embassy Suites -- College Station
Day 2 — April 12, 2027: Ghosts of the Republic: Independence, Texas
Today we explore the ghost town of Independence, located in some of the most gorgeous rolling hills in all of Texas. Founded in 1835 on the eve of the Revolution, Independence soon became the wealthiest community in the Republic of Texas and the home of Sam Houston, the famed “Hero of San Jacinto” and twice-president of the Republic. Dr. Torget will lead a private tour of the iconic sites of historic Independence, including the location of Sam Houston’s presidential home, the church where Houston was baptized (at his wife’s insistence), the grave of Mrs. Houston, the ruins of the original site of Baylor University (the only Texas university dating back to the Republic), Old Independence Cemetery, and the Old Town Square, among others. We will then enjoy a lovely boxed lunch on the stunning grounds of the Antique Rose Emporium, before making our way to the Blue Bell Factory in Brenham to get ice cream for the drive back to Denton.
Independence and Brenham to Denton
Breakfast, Lunch, Ice Cream
Activity Level
This tour requires average physical activity and is for healthy active adults who can walk easily without assistance. Please note that the first day includes two walking tours (of the village of Washington-on-the-Brazos and Barrington Farm) that will be mostly on unpaved and uneven ground, and the second day also has stops with unpaved ground. Travelers should be in good health, able to climb stairs, walk reasonable distances on both unpaved or uneven ground, and able to ride for long periods on a chartered bus. Travelers will be able to explore some sites at their own pace.
Hearing Assistance
Our chartered bus will be equipped with a microphone and speakers for Dr. Torget's onboard lectures. In addition, we will also provide special headphones for each Traveler to use while we visit historic sites, which will allow you to easily hear Dr. Torget at all times.
Trip Highlights
- Personal walking tour of the restored village of Washington-on-the-Brazos.
- Explore Independence Hall, where Texas declared independence from Mexico.
- Explore the restored presidential office of Sam Houston and Congress Hall (where the Republic’s last legislature met), among many buildings restored from the Repubulic era.
- Walking tour of Historic Barrington Farm (home of Anson Jones, last president of the Texas Republic).
- Visit the recently remade Star of the Republic Museum.
- One night in beautiful Embassy Suites – College Station.
- Private tour of historic sites of the Republic-era ghost town of Independence, Texas.
- Catered lunch at Antique Rose Emporium in Independence, Texas.
- Visit the Blue Bell Factory in Brenham for ice cream!
What's Included
- Expert guidance and historical lectures by Dr. Torget throughout each day of the tour (on the bus, at historic sites, during meals)
- Transportation in private chartered bus.
- Admission to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
- Admission to Barrington Farm.
- Admission to the Star of the Republic Museum
- All meals (lunch and dinner on 4/11; breakfast, lunch, and ice cream on 4/12).
- One night in beautiful Embassy Suites -- College Station.
- Custom tour booklet.
- Tour guide headphone system (special headphones that will allow you to easily hear Dr. Torget at all times when we visit historic sites).
Important Information
Payment Information:
- The $300 deposit is required to reserve your seat on the tour.
- Full payment is due by January 10, 2027 to confirm your seat on the tour.
Terms and Conditions:
- Please carefully read the that apply to all tours by Yellow Rose Tours, LLC.
- All tours run regardless of rain or shine!
Travel Insurance:
- Although the price of this trip does not include individual travel insurance, travel insurance is strongly recommended for all Travelers and is available through multiple independent travel insurance providers.
Bus Pick-up and Drop-Off:
- The chartered bus for this tour will depart from and return to the Support and Services Building (SSB) at 1500 N. I-35E in Denton, where the offices for OLLI at UNT are located.
- Any Travelers who choose to leave their car in the SSB parking lot will need an OLLI parking pass, which can be picked up (free for OLLI members) from the OLLI offices during normal business hours.
- Any Traveler who chooses to leave their vehicle in any parking lot assumes all responsibility for that vehicle. Yellow Rose Tours, LLC, assumes no responsibility or liability for any vehicle parked in any lot by Travelers.
Luggage:
- Each Traveler is limited to one suitcase that will be stored underneath the bus and one small carry-on bag that must fit in the overhead compartment on the bus.
Restrooms:
- Our bus will be equipped with an on-board restroom.
- Restrooms will also be available at most tour stops.
Snacks and Water:
- Complimentary snacks and water will be available on the bus.