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.
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.
Brenham Heritage Museum
Accessible Pet Friendly Parking Available Wifi Available
The Brenham Heritage Museum is a local history museum located in Downtown Brenham. Exhibits and collections reflect a focus on the history and culture of Washington County. Originally serving as the United States Post Office, this magnificent building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was eventually transformed into the museum you see today.
Hours are Wed through Saturday, 10am – 4pm
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.
Camptown Soundwalk Experience
Step back in time with the Camptown Soundwalk Experience, starting at Jerry Wilson Park, located just east of Downtown Brenham. This immersive outdoor exhibit takes you through one of Washington County’s earliest Freedom Colonies, where enslaved individuals gathered before emancipation and established a vibrant community at the end of the Civil War.
Explore 7 stops along a walking path in this historic neighborhood, each with panels featuring QR codes. Simply scan the codes with your phone to unlock an audio tour filled with stories and sounds that bring the past to life. Did you know Camptown was once home to more than 70 businesses and served as the original site for Federal troops during Reconstruction? This is a permanent exhibit that is open to the public 24/7.
If you’re intrigued by this Soundwalk, expand your journey with the Washington County Soundwalk Experience, visiting key sites in Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence, and Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Antique Carousel
Fully restored, the carousel is one of eight that exist in Texas today and is the only example of a C.W. Parker carousel with Herschell-Spillman horses. Manufactured prior to 1910, it is housed in a unique 16-sided WPA building in the heart of Fireman’s Park. Open weekends March 1-May 31 and Saturdays June 1 – October 31.
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
People revere Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site as the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. Thereafter, despite great personal risk, the delegates continued meeting until they had drafted a constitution and established the new nation’s first lasting government.
Picturesque Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located on the Brazos River. Expansive park grounds provide a beautiful setting for picnicking, sightseeing and bird-watching. The Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Plantation offer the visitor a unique insight into the lives and times of the men who fought and won Texas’ independence from Mexico.
Conference center provides a beautiful view of the park. Glass doors, windows and patio overlook the historic grounds and provide a perfect location for receptions, rehearsal dinners and weddings. Maximum capacity 400.
Glissmann’s Gift Gallery & Historic Drug Store
Glissman’s Gift Gallery is a unique, one-of-a-kind gift and collectible shop. Located in historic Downtown Brenham, in an 1860s two-story masonry building built by J.T. Parnell. Also housing the display of original items from Glissman’s Drug Store.
Burton Heritage Society & Railroad Depot
History lives, thanks to the Burton Heritage Society! Since 1973 devoted members have maintained and preserved the Burton Railroad Depot and Mt. Zion Cemetery. Both sites are vital to area history. The depot transports visitors to 1870 when Burton was a terminal on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad while the cemetery honors some of the earliest and more notable inhabitants. Open first Saturday of the month and by appointment.
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!