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 22^nd.

Kids History Camp returns to the Salado Museum and College Park this summer, July 13-16, 2026. For more information please email director@saladomuseum.org.

Come to the museum of Salado, Texas, June 1 thru July 25, to experience the all-new Texas America250 traveling exhibit. The exhibit, on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, celebrates the nation’s Semiquincentennial while
highlighting historically significant Texas treasures from the State Archives.

The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular museum hours.

We are very excited to bring an exhibit to Salado that provides a unique opportunity for Texans to reflect on our state’s role in the American story. Viewing this exhibit is a great way for people of all ages to learn more about Texas’ role in U.S. history and to explore some of the state’s most treasured documents, photographs and artifacts.

 The nation would not be what it has become without Texas
 Texas has a story to tell about its contributions to the legacy of America.
 Texas America250 shows how the state’s people, landscape and innovations helped to develop this country over the past 250 years.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission invite Texans of all ages to join its 2026 statewide Texas America250 Reading Challenge. For more information on this and upcoming America250 programs, go to www.tsl.texas.gov/america250.

Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document, signed by 59 delegates, settlers in Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas.

Larnce Barker is the President of the Sterling C. Robertson Sons of the Republic of Texas Chapter 22 that meets in Salado. He will be at the Museum to greet people and to relate a brief history of Texas Independence Day and the significant role Sterling Robertson played in establishing the Republic of Texas. He will also explain what is required to join the local chapter of the Sons of Republic of Texas.

In 1825, Empresario Sterling C. Robertson acquired lands grants from Mexico and is credited with bringing 600 families to this area, mostly of Scottish ancestry, to form the first large colony in Central Texas.

In 1859 his son Colonel Elijah S. C. Robertson donated land to a corporation formed to build a college and lay out and sell lots for a town to be called Salado. A statue of Col. Elijah Robertson, in which he is depicted in his Republic of Texas uniform, stands on College Hill just south of the Salado Museum.

Salado College and Village of Salado by Artist Becky Conley

The Museum of Salado, Texas is thrilled to showcase new work by contemporary, local, folk artist Becky Conley! Constructed from recycled wine corks, these intricate structures are a testament to creativity, patience, and the power of everyday materials in the hands of a visionary.

Folk art, both past and present, plays a vital role in preserving our cultural heritage. It captures the stories, traditions, and spirit of everyday life — not from the perspective of elites or institutions, but from the people themselves. Becky’s work continues this important tradition, bridging the past and the present by showing how folk art can evolve while staying deeply connected to community and environment.

Becky’s extraordinary attention to detail is evident in every carefully placed cork. Her work reminds us that artistry isn’t confined to galleries or grand canvases — it thrives in right here in our community, fueled by passion, patience, and ingenuity (and maybe a bottle of wine or two).

Come see Village of Salado and new addition of Salado College in person and experience how modern folk art continues to tell our collective stories in ways that are both timeless and refreshing. On display now through October 2025. 423 S. Main Street Salado, Texas 76571

Kenneth McIntosh is an author, educator, and spiritual companion. He has written more than a dozen
books published by Anamchara, including Water from an Ancient Well, has led workshops in Ireland,
the UK, and throughout the US, and has shared his insights on podcasts and webinars. In the past, he
taught comparative religion at the college level and has led churches in five different denominations.
He lives in the Western Finger Lakes of New York with his wife Marsha and their cat, Bunty, where he
also enjoys time with his granddaughter, hiking, fountain pens, fantasy fiction, and historic-themed
craft projects. With his wife Marsha, and other companions-on-the-way, Kenneth has been shaped by
blister-making, soul-renewing pilgrimages in Spain and Scotland. He is available for in-person or online events at kennethmcintosh.com.

Join us at the Salado Museum and College Park for a 4-Day Kids History Camp in Salado, Texas!

Exploring History Through the Lens of Texas

July 14 – Day 1: Introduction to History and Early
Texas
Theme: Discovering Texas’ Roots
 Why Texas history matters. Discuss the Gault Site and its importance to the area.
 Exploration of early Texas history, including Indigenous
peoples and Spanish colonization. Hands-on activity: Create a clay pinch pot.
 Break with Local Texas-themed snacks.
 Archelogy dig.
 Storytime featuring Indigenous legends and tales from
Texas history.

July 15 – Day 2: Beyond the Notes – Celtic Fiddle Playing by Colin MacLeod
Theme: Texas Revolution and Impact of Scottish-Americans
 A brief storytelling session introducing the Texas Revolution.
 Learn about key Texas Revolution events, including the Alamo.
 Introduction of the Scottish Fiddle’s impact on Texas. The fiddle and bagpipes played at the Alamo
 Texas-themed snacks, such as pecans or beef jerky.
 Continuation of Celtic Fiddle.
 Closing activity.

July 16 – Day 3: Pioneers in Texas
Theme: Life and Times of the early settlers.
 First settler: Archibald Willingham
 Chris Coffey Focus on Pioneers and their way of life in Early
Texas. Food, Shelter and Survival. Hunting and Gathering.
 Snacks inspired by early history. Churning butter.
 Uses of tools and natural resources.
 Leather braiding.

July 17 – Day 4: Early Salado and The Robertson Family.
Theme: The Empresario, Colonel and Salado College
 A brief storytelling session introducing the Robertson Family.
 Robertson game
 Texas-themed snacks, such as pecans or beef jerky.
 Fun activity.
 Wrap up of the week.

Applications for kids to attend the camp can be downloaded below or acquired by emailing director@saladomuseum.org. The Salado Museum & College Park is a 501(c)3. Donations for the camp will be accepted as $50.00 per child for the 4-day camp and $25.00 for each additional child in the family.

We are excited to announce that the Village of Salado and Salado Museum and College Park have been selected to host the Dinosaur George Traveling Museum as part of the 2025 Dinosaur George Summer Outreach Program! This is a one-day-only, completely FREE event that will transform our space into an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Event Details: Date: July 12, 2024

Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm

Location: Salado Museum and College Park – 423 S Main Street, Salado, Texas 76571

Admission: FREE and open to the public

Registration: No registration required

What can you expect? An incredible collection of life-size dinosaur skulls, fossil replicas, and exhibits featuring prehistoric creatures from every corner of Earth’s ancient past – dinosaurs, mammals, reptiles, and more!

The traveling museum was created by Dinosaur George Blasing, a self-taught paleontologist with over 40 years of experience, and the host of the Dinosaur George Kids podcast and History Channel’s Jurassic Fight Club. During the event, visitors will even get a chance to ask questions during a live Q&A with George himself.

Plus: A full day of hands-off, museum-quality exhibits • A pop-up gift shop with dinosaur-themed merchandise and authentic fossils for sale • Fun, engaging science for kids, families, and lifelong learners alike. Whether you are a dino-lover, a science fan, or just for a fun and educational day out – you won’t want to miss this. We are bringing the prehistoric world right to Salado.

Following Dino George, the Kids History Camp will kick off at the Salado Museum and College Park: • July 14th – Introduction to History and Early Texas • July 15th – Beyond the Notes – Celtic Fiddle Playing • July 16th – Pioneers in Texas • July 17th – The Robertson Family and early Salado. Mark your calendars and stay tuned to the website for more details. Help spread the word—and get ready for a roaring good time!