William Joel Bryan Chapter #14, The Sons of the Republic of Texas

05/17/2026

Great article about one of our SRT brothers and his grandfather.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18QZo8tuy7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Learn how a giant Santa built in Kerens became Big Tex, the booming State Fair of Texas landmark beloved by generations.

05/04/2026

History is not so black and white.

Looking at the photos and portraits from the time we sometimes get the idea that our ancestors clothes were muted and drab. Nothing could be further from the truth. Stop by the inn NEXT Saturday, May 9, and visit with a plethora of period dressed folks who can discuss with you all of the vibrant colors and patterns available in 19th Century Texas.

Be sure to grab your tickets to ride the stagecoach with the link below
https://www.simpletix.com/e/fanthorp-fashion-stagecoach-ride-may-9-tickets-256020

05/01/2026

Hoops and Petticoats, Gowns and Dresses, Caps and Bonnets, we've got it all at Fanthorp on Saturday May 9 from 10am to 4pm. Lots of folks dressed in their period finest will be here talking about the evolution of clothing from the 1830s to the 1860s. Hope to see you there!

Don't forget to pick up your ticket for the stagecoach using the link below.
https://www.simpletix.com/e/fanthorp-fashion-stagecoach-ride-may-9-tickets-256020

05/01/2026

Unless there are changes later in the year, put these dates down for our Fall 2026 WJB meeting dates at Cooper's Old Time BBQ in College Station:

ALL WEDNESDAYS

August 26, 2026

September 30, 2026

October 28, 2026

December 2, 2026

Hope we can continue to grow as a chapter and increase our numbers at each meeting. We are getting back to averaging about 30 attendees each meeting, which is awesome. Have a great May, June, and July and we will see you all in August.

04/29/2026

Another wonderful William Joel Bryan ch.14 Sons of the Republic of Texas meeting today at Cooper’s Old Time Barbecue in College Station, Texas. Guest speaker Blake Pfeffer spoke about his book Shouts from the Republic. WJB President Barry Graham also inducted his grandson Lincoln Graham Smith into the Children of the Republic of Texas. This was our last meeting until August 2026, so stay safe, stay well, and see y’all in the fall.

04/29/2026

On April 27, 2026, several members of the William Joel Bryan Chapter #14 – John Hicks, Kyle Jones, Warren Evans, and Dan Beto – traveled to the Burton High School in Washington County to present a history scholarship to Michael S. Smith, a graduating senior. Mr. Smith was the inaugural recipient of the William Joel Bryan Chapter #14 History Scholarship, which was created last year.Pictured with Michael Smith are his parents Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Smith, and family.
Angela Rhodes, the Counselor at Burton High School, provided the following thoughts on Mr. Smith’s academic pursuits:
Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to both academics and extracurricular activities throughout his high school career. His participation includes Band, Beta Club,
4H, and Academic UIL. Academically, he has excelled, maintaining a 4.037 GPA and ranking fourth in his class. Michael consistently seeks out challenging coursework,
option for honor classes, advanced mathematics and sciences, and various dual credit and dual enrollment opportunities. Notably, in the summer leading-up to his senior
year, when many students seek an easier path, Michael completed a dual credit course and continued that academic rigor by enrolling in another dual credit course and
additional honors classes at the start of the school year.
High school seniors in the Brazos Valley – Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties – desiring to pursue a degree in history or related fields are eligible for the $1,000.00 scholarship. As part of the application process, students are required to write an essay related to Texas history. Mr. Smith’s winning essay was devoted to the subject of “How Different New Deal Programs Affected Texas During the Great Depression and How They May Still Affect Us Today.”
In addition to the four members of the William Joel Bryan Chapter #14, attending the
presentation were several school officials and the recipient’s parents, grandparents, and great aunt. Mr. Smith has been accepted at Blinn College, where he plans to major in history.
Congratulations again to Michael and the best of luck to him in his studies.

04/26/2026

Wanted to send out one last reminder about our meeting this Wednesday April 29, 2026 at Cooper's Old Time Pit Barbecue Aggieland in College Station. Our guest speaker will be author BLAKE PFEFFER talking about his book SHOUTS FROM THE REPUBLIC. Come one, come all to our last Spring meeting for the William Joel Bryan Chapter until August 26, 2026. Hope to see many of you there.