Baytown Historical Preservation Association

09/03/2026

On this day in 1783, the American Revolutionary War officially ended, and the United States was recognized as an independent nation. God Bless America!

09/02/2026

WELCOME BACK, GCCISD STUDENTS!

09/01/2026

The stage is set for a grand adventure back in time! Everything is s**c and span and ready for our young explorers! Thanks to Randy, even the mule trough and the outhouse are cleaned up and waiting for their big day! Soon, schoolchildren will step through the doors of our historic one-room schoolhouse and farmhouse and leave the present day behind as they discover what life was like more than a century ago. They’ll see the old schoolhouse, explore the farmhouse, imagine children their own age learning their lessons, and perhaps even wonder what it was like to use that old outhouse! For a little while, history won’t just be something they read about—it will be an adventure they can see, touch, and experience.

08/30/2026

250 YEARS AGO TODAY: The Battle of Long Island, the first major battle following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, began on August 27, 1776. Two days later, on August 29, 1776, George Washington successfully evacuated the bulk of his Continental Army across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan, escaping what could have been a devastating defeat. Although the British had won the battle, Washington’s daring nighttime withdrawal saved thousands of American lives and preserved the Continental Army to fight another day. It also helped sustain American morale at a critical moment in the struggle for independence. What appeared to be a defeat ultimately became one of Washington’s most important strategic retreats—and helped keep the fight for American independence alive.

Perhaps when "General Washington" visits the BHPA, as we continue celebrating our country's 250th anniversary, he will tell us firsthand about his successful evacuation and how it helped advance the American Revolution!

08/28/2026

Stop by tomorrow between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a visit!

08/25/2026

With the new San Jacinto Marketplace opening soon, now is the perfect time to revisit those wonderful memories of shopping, dining, going to the movies, and spending time with friends and family at the San Jacinto Mall!

Our 2026 Limited-Edition San Jacinto Mall Ornament is a beautiful keepsake celebrating those special memories and the place that meant so much to our community.

The ornaments will be arriving in October. For more information and to learn how to order yours, click here:

https://baytownhistory.org/images/Ornament_Order_Form_-_2026_v1.pdf

08/24/2026

Another job well done by Jerry Garcia and Juan DeLeon with Cherry House Moving Co., Inc!

08/23/2026

The top portion of the Highlands Library that had to be removed for the move has been put back in place! The next step is to reshingle the roof. It has been a slow process, but we’re getting there!

Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts to save this historic treasure. Every step forward brings us closer to restoring and preserving the 1937 Highlands Library for future generations.

08/19/2026

In the spring of 2021, we were honored to have the 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse serve as the backdrop for former City Manager Rick Davis’s entertaining lip-sync video! Although Mr. Davis wasn’t actually playing the banjo in the video, he really is a talented banjo player!

Contest Entry for the Goose Creek Consolidated Foundation contest

08/17/2026

We are so excited to soon welcome our new third graders as they take a trip back in time at our 1894 one-room Wooster School and 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse! These third-grade social studies field trips bring back memories of a beloved poem from long ago—“Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

In March 1815, nine-year-old Mary Sawyer (1806-1889) of Sterling, Massachusetts, discovered a tiny lamb that had been rejected by its mother. Cold, weak, and close to death, the little lamb needed someone to care for it. Mary begged her father to let her save it. With her mother’s permission, Mary brought the lamb inside, kept it warm, and cared for it through the night.

Against all odds, the lamb survived. Mary continued to feed and care for it, and soon the little lamb became devoted to her, following Mary wherever she went.

One day, Mary took the lamb to school and tried to hide it beneath her desk. But when Mary was called to the front of the classroom, the lamb followed her! The children laughed at the unexpected visitor, creating a moment that would be remembered for generations.

Years later, the tale inspired the beloved nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

We can't wait to see our third graders step through the doors of our historic school and farmhouse and experience a little piece of history for themselves!