Historic Masonic Cemetery
Founded in 1853, this country cemetery is the final resting place to many “Texians,” Confederate soldiers, local residents, and the children and grandchildren of Alamo hero William B. Travis. Set on 4 1/4 acres, filled with beautiful trees throughout, the cemetery is open all year.
Old Baylor Park
Pet Friendly Family Friendly Parking Available
This is the site of the female campus at Baylor University called Academy Hill. Its massive stone columns survive today, and are the famous ruins at Old Baylor Park, operated jointly by Baylor University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This is a popular park in Washington County that typically has beautiful bluebonnets and wildflowers in the spring! Adjacent to the John P. Coles homes, this park features picnic tables and a playground area.
Step into the Past Tours
Learn about Brenham’s importance in early Texas history. See unique artifacts that will delight you. See how aristocrats lived in the days before plumbing and electricity. Learn about Brenham’s State Antiquities Landmark, a system of historic public cisterns.
These tours are for groups of 10+. Call in advance for arrangements to see historic sites around Downtown Brenham. Friendly and knowledgeable guides tell fun stories, but some sites can be toured without guides.
These tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. Call the Brenham Visitor Center at (979) 337-7580 for more information.
Old Baylor Park at Windmill Hill
Old Baylor Park at Windmill Hill is located on the east side of FM 50 (next to the Antique Rose Emporium), interpretive signage and a reconstructed bell tower mark the archeological ruins of the Baylor campus for males. A well-marked walking and/or driving trail with 19 interpretive signs relates the history of the village of Independence.
On the west side of FM 50, ruins mark the site of the original Baylor University and its female department, Old Baylor Park at Academy Hill, which is one of the best places in the state to enjoy springtime bluebonnets and wildflowers.
Texas Cotton Gin Museum
The Official Cotton Gin Museum of Texas keeps the legacy of cotton alive for all generations; open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Home of the 1914 Burton Farmers Gin – the oldest operating cotton gin in America; tours daily at 10am and 2pm. *Leashed pets allowed
Early Texas Home Tours
We have a walking and driving tour where you can see and learn much more about this historic community. See website for maps and details.
Chappell Hill Historical Society & Museum
The Chappell Hill Historic District includes the restored Providence Baptist Church parsonage, the Museum displaying historical exhibits and the Swearingen folk art collection, the Rock Store, century-old churches, Masonic Cemetery, library and the oldest continually operating bank in America. Groups are invited for tours of the historic sites with advance reservation. If you are having a group event or wedding, Chappell Hill may be the place for you! Providence Church is a quaint location for a wedding ceremony – the church holds 130 people. The Museum is ideal for parties up to 120, and the Rock Store can seat 40 people for a more intimate gathering in historic downtown.
Brenham Fire Museum
See rare antique fire engines. Learn why Brenham was burned. Hear the stories behind Maifest and Washington County Fair.
The Brenham Fire Museum was formed in 1867, to protect lives and property in the face of adversity. Shortly after, an extensive system of public cisterns was built under the streets to provide water for fighting fires. Hence, Brenham became the first Texas city to provide public services. Brenham’s historic public cisterns are a Texas Antiquities Landmark.
See Brenham’s rare Silsby Fire Engine that operated with cisterns as its water source. You’ll also see Samanthe, purchased in 1923, one of only three in the world today. Invader, purchased in 1950 is also on display.
The Brenham Fire Museum is open on Fridays from 11 am – 3 pm and Saturdays from 11 am – 2 pm, and is free entry.
If you would like to schedule a private tour of the Museum on a day we are not open to the public, those can be arranged by calling 979-337-7580. Private tours must be scheduled at least a week in advance, and a cost will be associated with this. $5/person (free for children 6 years and under). Minimum of 5 people.
For continuous hours and updates, please check the Brenham Fire Museum Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/brenhamfiremuseum
Toubin Park
Beneath Brenham streets is a large system of historic cisterns. The cisterns were built in the late 1800s to store rainwater for public fire fighting. Private cisterns were also abundant throughout early Washington County, used for bathing, drinking and cooking. The large system of public cisterns in early Brenham was a rarity. Enjoy the Wild West story of why these cisterns were built. It’s a tale of an early railroad, a rough Boom Town, and colorful characters who shaped Washington County’s history. Self-guided tours through this historic Downtown Brenham pocket park can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Washington County Soundwalk Experience
Like the Camptown Soundwalk Experience developed for the new permanent local exhibit in Brenham, an immersive audio tour encourages visitors to listen to stories of important sites in Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence and at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
On these walking tours at each location, visitors can scan QR codes to listen to each Soundwalk. This gives each community another opportunity to share the stories that are part of what made them what they are today. Explore the county and learn about the history in each of the communities!