Founders Day

Description

Salado Museum & College Park, the Museum of Salado, Texas, hosts the first Founder’s Day celebration in Salado, Saturday, August 22, from 9am to 2pm, at the Museum in honor of Salado founder, Colonel Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson, on the occasion of his 206th birthday. “The Founder’s Day Celebration is free and open to the public but donations to support the museum’s ongoing programs are always welcome in person or online,” says Lynette Jones, Salado Museum Executive Director. “The event will include a memorial ceremony on College Hill and activities, reenactors, and birthday cake in the Museum.' The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Museum’s Lucile A. Robertson Event Center where guests can view a pre-recorded musical tribute to the Robertson family by renowned Celtic fiddler Colin MacLeod, of Edinburgh, Scotland. At 9:30 guests will follow Bagpiper Doug Slauson to College Hill to gather around Colonel Robertson’s statue near the ruins of Salado College for the memorial ceremony. The ceremony will include a brief oral history of Colonel Robertson, a formal wreath laying by Salado Mayor Jeff Ingrum and Salado Museum Chairman of the Board Sterling Ambrose, a memorial under the direction of Ray Don McIntosh, Family Life Minister at Salado Church of Christ, the bagpiper’s playing of Amazing Grace, and a mayoral declaration by Mr. Ingrum. Returning to the museum, guests can visit with members of the Robertson family, join in singing “Happy Birthday” as the cake is served, and talk with history reenactors including “Sam Houston”. At 11:00, guests will be seated for a live presentation by Mr. Gene Rhea Tucker, Ph.D., Professor of History at Temple College, which will focus on Colonel Robertson’s life and his contributions to Salado and its people. “We are happy to host Salado’s first Founder’s Day to celebrate the history and heritage of Salado and we thank everyone for your continued support of the museum,” says Jones. “We plan to continue this new Salado tradition as an annual event on or near the Colonel’s birthday on August 23rd.” Salado Museum and College Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to promote and preserve the pioneer history of Salado through educational programs and exhibits that document the settlement and heritage of this area. The museum is located at 423 South Main Street in Salado across from the Stagecoach Inn. College Park is located just south of the museum. www.saladomuseum.org.