We are proud to announce the first Founder’s Day celebration in Salado, Texas, being held in honor of Salado founder, Colonel Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson, on the occasion of his 206th birthday. The event will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 9am to 2pm at the museum with a special ceremony on nearby College Hill. Festivities will include a bagpiper, memorial ceremony, wreath laying, music video, live historical presentation, reenactors, a photo booth, and, of course, birthday cake.
The celebration will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the museum where guests can view a pre-recorded musical trilogy about the Robertson family legacy by renowned Celtic fiddler Colin MacLeod, of Edinburgh, Scotland. At 9:30 guests will follow the bagpiper as he leads us to College Hill to gather around Colonel Robertson’s statue near the ruins of Salado College for a brief memorial ceremony.
The ceremony will include a brief history of Colonel Robertson by Salado Museum Board member Liz Patranella, a memorial, under the direction of Ray Don McIntosh, Family Life Minister at Salado Church of Christ, a formal wreath laying, the playing of Amazing Grace, and a special mayoral declaration by Salado Mayor Jeff Ingrum.
Returning to the Lucile A. Robertson Event Center at 10:00, guests will join in singing “Happy Birthday” as we cut the cake. Activities will continue with an interactive presentation, history reenactors, and a photo booth. At 11:00, guests will be seated for a live presentation by Mr. Gene Rhea Tucker, Ph.D., Professor of History at Temple College, which will focus on Colonel Robertson’s life and his contributions to Salado and its people.
The Founder’s Day Celebration is free to the public but donations to support our ongoing programs are welcome in person or online. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at the Museum on August 22nd.
