FFriday, July 10, 2:00 p.m.

Lucile A. Robertson Event Center

423 South Main Street

Suggested donation $10 at the door

This unique program, led by Texas historian Kurt Terry and Scottish fiddler Colin MacLeod, blends frontier storytelling, music, faith traditions and cultural exploration from the Scots settlers in Salado across the Southwest frontier. Weaving words and images with live fiddle performances, the program offers a rich and memorable journey into the sounds, stories, and communities of 19th-century Texas and beyond.

“We will follow the movement of people and ideas along frontier routes linking the historic village of Salado with the wider western frontier to reveal how music and faith traveled together to shape the spirit and cultural fabric of America,” says Colin MacLeod. “This includes spiritual traditions that influenced daily life across the Southwest through hymns, fiddle tunes, communal singing, dances and shared gatherings.”

Kurt Terry is a Professor of History at Temple College. He holds a BA in History from Baylor University, an MA in History from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is a doctoral candidate in History at Oklahoma State University. He has given a number of presentations at educational conferences, including a joint session with the Texas State Historical Association. His research into the history of Texas frontier communities adds a special focus to this singular experience in words and music.

Colin MacLeod, known as the Celtic Fiddle Guru, has been playing Celtic fiddle since the age of seven, growing up in Scotland amid a rich family tradition of ceilidhs and communal music-making. Trained to Grade 8 Violin Distinction and having performed with Celtic bands in Australia, he has taught fiddle by ear to students across Scotland, Australia and the United States since 2007. His research into how music shaped the lives of Scottish emigrant communities makes him a natural voice for this program.

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.

We are pleased to announce a special presentation in word, images and song by Scottish singer and folklorist, Ed Miller, Friday, Nov. 7, at 2:00 pm, in the Lucile A. Robertson Center, 423 South Main St. Suggested donation at the door is $10.

You are invited to discover the story of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, one of the world’s largest community arts projects created by more than 1,000 volunteers across Scotland.

“The Great Tapestry of Scotland consists of 160 colorful linen panels made with 300 miles of wool and hand-stitched by people all over Scotland who worked in groups to create the intricate designs,” says Miller. “The tapestry visually narrates Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its earliest beginnings to the 21st century.” 

Mr. Miller’s presentation will include historical information and slides of many of the tapestry’s remarkable panels. He will also sing songs that relate to particular historical events or themes featured in the tapestry.

Ed Miller is a featured entertainer for the 64^th Salado Scottish Gathering and Highland Games, being held November 7-9 on a beautifully wooded property beginning at 108 Royal Street, the major annual fundraiser for the Salado Museum and College Park.

Ed Miller is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who came to Texas as a young man and has made Austin his home. He holds graduate degrees in Folklore and Geography from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to having recorded numerous CDs of Scottish songs, he has led a series of folksong-based historical tours of Scotland and currently hosts the program, Across the Pond, Sunday afternoons on sunradio.com.

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

We invite you to join us as we celebrate the 205^th birthday of Salado founder, Colonel Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson, on Saturday, August 23 from 10am to 2pm. Festivities will include a wreath laying ceremony, an audio-video presentation, a musical tribute, a bagpiper and, of course, birthday cake. The event is free to the public but donations are welcome in person or online.

The celebration will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Main Street courtyard of the Museum where attendees will process behind Pipe Major Doug Slauson to College Hill to gather around Colonel Robertson’s statue near the ruins of Salado College for a brief memorial ceremony. The memorial will include a formal wreath laying ceremony and the playing of Amazing Grace.

Returning to the Lucile A. Robertson Event Center in the museum, guests will join in singing “Happy Birthday” as we cut the cake.  Activities will continue with the viewing of a pre-recorded musical tribute by renowned Celtic fiddler, Colin MacLeod, of Edinburgh, Scotland. This will be followed by 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 Robertson Birthday Celebration is free to the public but donations to support the ongoing programs of the Museum of Salado, Texas, are welcome in person or online. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at the Museum on August 23^rd.

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.

“The museum exhibit focuses on five women who are key figures in the story of Salado: Liz Carpenter, Lucile A. Robertson, Mary Hodge, Grace Jones and Nannie Poteet,” says Lynette Jones, Museum Executive Director. “We are very pleased to have Ms. Carpenter as well as other descendants of these remarkable women joining us at the reception and for the film screening.”

The Carpenter film tells the story of a trailblazing woman journalist, White House official, author, humorist, political activist, feminist leader, and proud Texan who experienced and helped shape some of the most vivid moments and movements of the 20th Century. Liz Carpenter, the great-great granddaughter of Salado founder Col. Elijah Robertson, was born at the historic Robertson Plantation and spent her formative years in Salado. For more information on the film go to www.LizCarpenterFilm.com. 

Salado Museum and College Park will host a presentation by renowned historian, Keith George, in the Lucile A. Robertson Center at 10:00am on Saturday, March 1 st. Mr. George is a member of the Bell County Historical Commission as Vice Chair and Chairs its Preservation and Grants Committees. His talk will focus on the Stillhouse Hollow Dam project which necessitated the relocation of “lost cemeteries” from the valley along the Lampasas River where many of Salado’s early settlers were buried. The event is free and open to the public with donations welcome at the door.

“Following George’s presentation, museum staff members will hold a tour of our historic Salado Museum building and the Salado College ruins on College Hill,” says Lynette Jones, Museum Executive Director. “The tour will include a brief history of Texas Independence Day and the significant role Empresario Sterling Robertson played in establishing the Republic of Texas on March 2, 1836.”

In 1825, 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 Col. Elijah Sterling 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. “During the tour on College Hill, attendees will view the statue of Colonel Robertson in which he is depicted in his Republic of Texas uniform,” Jones adds. 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.

Today, the mission of the Salado Museum is to promote and preserve the pioneer history of Salado through educational and literary programs and exhibits that document the settlement and heritage of the area. The museum maintains the ruins and grounds of Salado College built in 1860 by visionary pioneers who established a co-educational facility for students grade one through two years of college based on the then unconventional belief that both men and women deserved equal access to higher
education in a nondenominational setting.

Registration is not necessary for this free event. Please wear comfortable shoes for the tour, after the lecture.

The Salado Museum and College Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in a historic stone building at 423 South Main Street in Salado across from the Stagecoach Inn. College Park is located just south of the museum. Donations are always welcome and volunteers are always needed to help maintain this important part of Salado’s history.

Discover the rich history of the region as we delve into the stories of early pioneers and old settlers who shaped the community we know today. Bring your curiosity and appetite for knowledge.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

12-1 p.m.

Salado Museum – 423 South Main Street Salado, Texas 76571

Presented by the Bell County Historical Commission with the Bell County Museum