The birthplace of Texas independence welcomed a powerful symbol of the modern independence movement on November 8, 2025. TNM Executive Vice President Nate Smith, Chief of Staff Daphne Armour, and several local TNM leaders joined hundreds of Texans at the grand reopening of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site following its $51 million renovation.
Standing where Texas delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, TNM leadership participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and toured the enhanced exhibits that now tell the story of Texas’s first successful bid for independence. The symbolism was unmistakable: representatives of today’s independence movement gathering at the very site where Texas first declared its sovereignty.
“This is hallowed ground for every Texan who believes in self-governance,” said Stacey Pauley, who was present at the event. The organization’s visible presence, with members wearing their distinctive Independence navy blue t-shirts, reinforced the connection between Texas’s historical independence and the current movement toward renewed sovereignty.
Where Texas Became Texas
The renovated site now features state-of-the-art exhibits in the Visitor Center and Star of the Republic Museum, along with full-scale recreations of historic buildings, including Sam Houston’s presidential office, Samuel Heath’s carpenter shop, and Rucker’s Drug Store. These improvements, funded through $40 million in state appropriations and $11 million in private donations, bring the Republic era to life for modern visitors.
For TNM leadership, the enhanced Washington Townsite Experience provides a tangible connection to Texas’s nine years as an independent republic. Walking through the recreated streets where Houston governed the young nation, Smith and Armour witnessed living history that validates their organization’s core message: Texas has been independent before and can be independent again.
The timing of TNM’s participation carries special significance. As the organization builds momentum for its Texas independence referendum campaign, its presence at Washington-on-the-Brazos demonstrates the continuity between past and present. The same spirit that drove delegates to declare independence while the Alamo was under siege now motivates modern Texans to seek renewed self-determination through peaceful, legal means.
Connecting Heritage to Modern Independence
The event showcased how TNM leadership understands the power of historical symbolism in advancing political goals. By participating in the ceremony, Smith and Armour connected their grassroots organizing efforts to Texas’s foundational moment of independence.
Site Manager Jon Failor noted that after five years of design and construction, he was thrilled to showcase “the birthplace of Texas, reimagined.” For TNM supporters, this reimagining extends beyond museum exhibits to encompass a political vision of Texas reclaiming its independent status.
The enhanced site will serve as a powerful educational tool for TNM’s mission. The immersive exhibits and hands-on opportunities help visitors understand what made the Republic of Texas possible: the courage to declare independence, the determination to govern themselves, and the vision to build a nation from wilderness.
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who secured state funding for the renovation, spoke of how Washington-on-the-Brazos “serves as a symbol of the courage and resolve that inspired Texans’ quest for freedom and independence and continues to inspire citizens today.” Her words resonated with TNM leadership, who see their movement as continuing that same quest through modern democratic processes.
Building Momentum for Independence
The participation of multiple TNM local leaders alongside Smith and Armour demonstrates the organization’s growing grassroots infrastructure across Texas. These regional leaders returned to their communities with renewed inspiration from walking where Texas independence was born.
The event also highlighted TNM’s strategy of connecting heritage preservation with political mobilization. By maintaining a visible presence at historically significant events, the organization reinforces its message that Texas independence isn’t a radical departure from tradition but a return to Texas’s natural state as a self-governing nation.
With the site now reopened, Washington-on-the-Brazos will resume its traditional Texas Independence Day celebration on February 27-28, 2026, marking the 190th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. TNM leadership’s participation in the reopening ceremony positions the organization to play a prominent role in future commemorations at this sacred site.
As visitors now experience the renovated Washington-on-the-Brazos, they encounter not just history but living heritage. TNM’s presence at the reopening ceremony reminds all Texans that the independence declared on this ground in 1836 remains an achievable goal in 2025—not through revolution, but through referendum, not through force, but through the democratic will of the Texas people.
The birthplace of Texas independence has been restored to its full glory. Now it falls to modern Texans to determine whether that independence will be restored as well.
