A Vision for the 21st Century: Gateway to Where Texas History Happened The Daughters of The Republic of Texas 1 Republic of Texas History Complex Case for Support The Daughters of The Republic of Texas 510 E. Anderson Lane Austin, Texas 78752 www.drt-inc.org 512-339-1997 January 4, 2010 2 Table of Contents A Vision for the 21st Century (overview) Page 4 History of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas Page 5 Mission Page 5 Management of Historic Sites Page 6 Educational Programming Page 6 Future Plans: Republic of Texas History Complex Page 8 Time Line and Campaign Budget Page 10 Plans to Sustain the Republic of Texas History Complex Page 11 How to Make a Donation and Recognition Opportunities Page 12 Project Evaluation and Fiscal Management Page 13 DRT Board of Management Page 15 3 A Vision for the 21st Century A Vision for the 21st Century is a roadmap to achieving exciting new goals. The plan will enable The Daughters of The Republic of Texas to create the Republic of Texas History Complex, and: Consolidate the association’s business operations - and the Republic of Texas Museum - into one central location in a more appropriate, historic setting in downtown Austin; Provide more extensive and higher quality experiences for children and visitors of all ages seeking to learn about the fascinating history of Texas; Provide more space for educational conferences, nonprofit gatherings, social events and other public service activities; Enhance income opportunities so that we may expand our future educational offerings, for the benefit of future generations; Provide a more modern, state-of-the-art research facility for those seeking information about the history of Texas and that of their own families; and Increase our role in the economic development of Austin and Central Texas by attracting greater numbers of visitors to the new Republic of Texas History Complex throughout the year. A Vision for the 21st Century will guide our work for the next five years. It will be reviewed and fine- tuned annually to ensure its timeliness. A Vision for the 21st Century has a fundraising goal of $9,500,000. Of this amount, $1,000,000 will be provided by the eventual sale of our North Austin building, and charitable donations already committed. This leaves $8,500,000 remaining to secure. A Vision for the 21st Century was created by the following members of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas, working from the headquarters office in Austin: Nancy M. Shurtleff Chair Cynthia L. Anderson - John Ellen Becker - Betty S. Bird Patricia E. Horridge - Gayla H. Lawson Vision Team 4 History of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas The Daughters of The Republic of Texas was established during the summer of 1891. In her father’s law library in Galveston, Texas now known as the “Cradle,” Miss Betty Ballinger and her cousin, Miss Hally Bryan conceived the idea of perpetuating forever the memory of Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas by forming an association of their descendants. The two cousins traveled to Houston where they shared their idea with fourteen other ladies, at the home of Mrs. Andrew Briscoe, on November 6, 1891. At that meeting, they formed the organization we know today as The Daughters of The Republic of Texas. The organization’s charter was filed with the Department of State on March 9, 1895. The Daughters of The Republic of Texas today has 7,000 members and 106 chapters, divided into ten districts. Each chapter is a part of the larger organization and must operate within the framework of bylaws established by the nonprofit organization. Members are direct lineal descendants of a man or woman, who rendered loyal service for Texas prior to February 19, 1846. A convention is convened annually where all members are welcome, and business is conducted. The date of each convention is chosen based upon the historic date of May 14, 1836, when Interim President David C. Burnet and Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco following the defeat of the Mexican forces at San Jacinto. Since 1936, the tradition of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas is to select a convention date as close as possible to Velasco Honor Day. Mission The mission of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas is to: Perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas; Encourage historical research into the earliest records of Texas, especially those relating to the Revolution of 1835 and the events that followed; to foster the preservation of documents and relics; to encourage the publication of records of individual service of the soldiers and patriots of the Republic and other source materials regarding the history of Texas; and Promote the celebration of Texas Honor Days, and to secure and memorialize all historic spots by erecting markers thereon, and to cherish and preserve the unity of Texas as achieved and established by the fathers and mothers of the Texas Revolution. 5 Management of Historic Sites The Daughters of The Republic of Texas, as an organization and as individuals, are committed to the preservation of our Texas heritage. Since its inception, The Daughters has included the care and keeping of historical properties among its most important work. These sites include: Republic of Texas Museum, Austin. This more modern facility houses the Republic of Texas Museum, and the business headquarters of The Daughters of The Republic of Texas. Located in north Austin, this building will ultimately be sold, and we will move the museum and DRT business operations to the historic French Legation site in downtown Austin, as part of the Republic of Texas History Complex Campaign discussed in this grant proposal. The Alamo, San Antonio, constructed in 1724. The site also includes the Long Barrack Museum, Alamo Gift Ship, and the DRT Library; French Legation, Austin, constructed 1840-1841 as the residence for the Charge d’Affaires representing the Government of France in the Republic of Texas. It is the oldest homestead still standing in Austin; Gaines-Oliphint Log House, near Hemphill and Milam, constructed ca. 1818. The house is the oldest pre-Republic, Anglo-American structure remaining in Texas and was built by James D. Taylor Gaines; Pioneer Memorial Log Cabin, Houston, constructed in 1936 as a home for the San Jacinto Chapter, and as a place for hospitality for visitors attending the Texas Centennial in Houston; J. B. Wells House, Gonzales, built in 1885 as the residence of J. B. Wells. Educational Programming In Austin, The Daughters of The Republic of Texas provide educational tours of the Republic of Texas Museum (created in 1894), and the French Legation Museum (oldest wooden structure in Austin), for elementary, secondary and college students studying Texas history. The museums include displays and artifacts illustrating the Texas War of Independence, the establishment of the government of the Republic of Texas in Austin, and the early life of Texas. The collections of the Republic of Texas Museum contain documents, artifacts, dioramas, statues and early Texas relics, as well as DRT association memorabilia 6 dating back more than 100 years. The collections of the French Legation Museum include items dating from the 1840s through the Robertson family era in the 1940s. Educational courses designed for 4th and 7th grade students during the regular school year are closely coordinated with area school districts. As part of the Social Studies program, Texas’ early statehood era is discussed and the information provided complies with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. Texas history teachers for these two grade levels are able to satisfy their professional requirements by attending Texas history seminars at the museums. A variety of written materials are also available to teachers and the general public as well, both onsite and online: 1) on the Republic of Texas Museum website, http://www.drt- inc.org, click on ”Education,” “Links” and “Ancestors” for historical information; 2) on the French Legation Museum website, http://frenchlegationmuseum.org/education.htm, click on “Education” for lesson plans and other helpful materials for teachers and school children of all ages (grades 1 through 8). The Daughters of The Republic of Texas also host a 5-day summer camp in July in Austin. During the camp basic art media concepts are introduced, including watercolor and colored markers. The summer camp is a natural tie-in to the Republic of Texas Museum’s annual History Poster Contest. The annual History Poster Contest helps teach Texas history through an enjoyable creative activity that documents through art Texas historic sites, events, activities and individuals during the days prior to 1850. The Museum encourages research that reveals the diverse culture and heritage of Texans who lived in the state during the days of the Republic of Texas and their contributions to the founding of Texas. The DRT has divided Texas into 10 Districts; monetary gifts are awarded to the outstanding art work in each District annually. There are four divisions of the History Poster Contest: 1) one division for youth in kindergarten through 5th grade; 2) middle school grade levels 6 through 8; 3) “PowerPoint” computer art focused on middle and high school students, grades 6 through12; and 4) Senior Citizen original artwork, a new category launched in 2009. One of the most popular educational tools developed by The Daughters of The Republic of Texas is the Traveling Trunk. Contained in each teaching trunk are a variety of items used to spur conversation about the Republic of Texas specifically, and other aspects of Texas history. Each DRT District has its own traveling trunk, and these helpful resources can be taken to any school or public location.