Gen. Sam Houston’s “Rock” A Year Older

The 196th birthday of Margaret Moffette Lea Houston, wife of General Sam Houston, will be commentated in conjunction with Founders Day this Saturday, reports the Houstonain:

Museum to Honor Houston’s Memory with Funeral Reenactment

The Item reveals - in a July 7 article - SHSU's plans for celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of General Sam Houston:

The 150th anniversary of Houston’s death will include a presentation by Texas Historical Commission interpretive planner Hal Simon on [Friday] July 26, the actual anniversary of Houston’s death, followed by a tour of the Steamboat House and a reenactment of Houston’s funeral on [Saturday] July 27.

“Sam Houston died on July 26, 1863, and his funeral was held the next afternoon,” said Danielle Brissette, museum historical interpreter. “The 150th anniversary is a momentous occasion, warranting more than simply a moment of silence. The events we have planned will be tasteful, informative, unique, educational and even fun. It should be interesting for the whole family. ...we have an excellent opportunity at our museum because we are lucky enough to have the actual house in which Sam Houston died and in which his funeral was held. The [Steamboat House] was moved to our museum in the early 20th century, but it was originally located near Oakwood Cemetery. We even have some of the original artifacts that were in the home when Sam Houston passed.”

The event will conclude with a masonic funeral reenactment, from 1:30-2 p.m. at the main Museum Rotunda, featuring local masons who have researched how Masonic funerals of the time were performed.

“We know that the local masons from Forrest Lodge No. 19 performed Sam Houston’s funeral in 1863, and these masons will help us to honor this event in 2013,” Brissette said. “It’s something we’re very excited about and just one of the aspects that will make this year’s event completely different from the one last year.”

Steamboat House to Open

Sam Houston passed away July 26, 1863 on a small bed in the downstairs parlor room of the Steamboat House. The next day, funeral services were held in the upstairs parlor.

On Friday, July 27, 2012 the Sam Houston Memorial Museum we will open the Steamboat House from 10-2pm for visitors to come into the Steamboat House (this is a very, very rare opportunity) and learn about this important time in Texas history, learn about mourning customs of the time, explore the Steamboat House, and honor Sam Houston and the Houston family.

About the life of General Sam Houston

Today’s Houstonian looks back at the life and times of Sam Houston:

Sam Houston's family originally came from Scotland. Sir Hugh was a knight who was in the right place at the right time - he saved the King of Scotland and was given his own castle. Eventually, a town was built around the castle and they called it "Hugh's town," the roots of Houston.

Houston's grandfather came from Scotland through Ireland and then to the colonies. Once here, the family became one of the most well-known. Houston's father was patriotic and served in the continental army under George Washington. After the American Revolution, he stayed in the army as a major.

More of the article appeared in the Sep. 19, 2005 edition.