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El Soldado de Mexico -Join reenactors on January 26th as they recreate elements of Santa Anna’s army circa 1836.
Santa Anna marched at the head of an army that had recently stamped out the beginnings of a revolution in the interior of Mexico. That army crossed the Rio Bravo in the winter of 1836 with the mission of putting down the revolution that was brewing in Texas. Contrary to popular myth, the Army of the Republic of Mexico was made up of professional soldiers, many of whom were seasoned veterans by 1836. They wore uniforms that rivaled those seen on European battlefields and marched, fought and carried themselves with the same dignity and esprit d’corps as their European counterparts.
Join Primer Battallon as they make camp at Presidio La Bahia and instruct their members in drill just as Santa Anna’s officers would have done in 1835-36 . Visit with the officers and men of the unit as they go about their daily routines and immerse yourself in what life was like on campaign in the sometimes brutal conditions experienced in the winter and spring of 1835-36. And for those brave souls amongst you, if you’d like to join in and try your hand at being a soldado de Mexico, Primer Battallon is always looking for new recruits!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN January 26th & 27th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Under the Green Flag -Join Living Historians on February 23rd as they bring history to life with an encampment depicting the 1812 Spanish siege of Presidio La Bahia.
Everyone has heard of the Texian War for Independence fought in 1835 and 36, but how many know of the push to make Texas independent in 1812-13?
Join us as we explore the “first Texas revolution” led by Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara and Augustus William Magee, over twenty years before the famous campaign of 1836! Learn about the motives behind Gutierrez and Magee’s attempt at wresting Texas from Spanish control and how it mirrored events taking place in Mexico City and even San Antonio. Visit with living historians dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gutierrez and Magee and those of the Spanish Army and immerse yourself in this forgotten period of Texas history!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN February 23rd & 24th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Goliad Massacre and Living History Program -Reenactors and Living Historians from across Texas gather at Presidio La Bahia to recreate the final days of Col. Fannin’s command.
Presidio La Bahia, Crossroads of Texas Living History Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife collaborate to bring you a recreation of the occupation of the Presidio La Bahia by Colonel Fannin and a reenactment of the Goliad Massacre.Join Presidio La Bahia, Goliad State Park and Crossroads of Texas Living History Association for the 34th Annual Goliad Massacre and Living History Program and Candlelight Tour. Take a stroll through the camps of both the Mexican and Texian armies and visit with reenactors as they go about their daily activities all inside the old stone walls of the Presidio. Grab a front row seat for one of the battle reenactments that take place in front of Presidio La Bahia on Texas Parks and Wildlife property. Stay over and immerse yourself in the turbulent times surrounding Fannin and his men with the candlelight tours Saturday evening. And finally, be sure to come back out Sunday to witness a recreation of the final days of Fannin’s men followed by a memorial at the Fannin Monument.34th Annual Goliad Massacre Living History Program Schedule of Events;
SATURDAY, March 30th, 2019
9:00 AM GATES OPEN
10:00 INFANTRY/CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SKIRMISH
in front of Presidio La Bahia
10:30 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:00 PRESENTATION IN OUR LADY OF LORETO CHAPEL TBA
12:00 SHOWING OF VIDEO:“Presidio La Bahia And Its Place In The History of Texas”
1:00 CAVALRY SKIRMISH
in front of Presidio La Bahia
2:00 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
3:00 BATTLE OF COLETO CREEK
in front of Presidio La Bahia
4:00 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
5:00 GATES CLOSE
6:30-9:00 CANDLELIGHT TOUR—ENTER AT SOUTH GATE
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
SUNDAY, March 31st, 2019
9:00 GATES OPEN
9:30 “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
10:00 DEATH MARCH FROM CHAPEL TO MASSACRE SITE
Followed by: “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
Followed by: EXECUTION OF COL. FANNIN AND THE OTHER TEXIANS
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:30 MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINS IN THE CHAPEL, PROCESSES TO THE ANGEL OF GOLIAD PLAZA WITH THE PROCESSION CONTINUING TO THE FANNIN MONUMENT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
Fire on the Border -Living historians & Reenactors gather together to bring the exciting history of the Punitive Expedition to life!
Join us as we bring to life the exciting but little known Punitive Expedition of 1916-1917. Visit with living historians and Reenactors dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gen. Blackjack Pershing and Poncho Villa and immerse yourself in this wild period of US-Mexican border history!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN April 27th & 28th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Cinco de Mayo celebration! -Living historians & Reenactors gather together to commemorate the French Intervention and celebrate the Mexican victory of the Battle of Puebla.
Join us as we celebrate the victory of Gen. Zaragoza over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Visit with living historians and Reenactors dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gen. Zaragoza and those of the French Army and learn more about the reason behind Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN May 4th & 5th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Wayback Wednesdays -The history of Presidio La Bahia is brought to life every Wednesday from 9-4 during the months of June and July.
Are you looking for something special to do during summer vacation? If so, plan a trip to Presidio La Bahia and get in on Wayback Wednesdays!
Visit with living historians as they bring the past to life and explore little known stories from the Presidio’s early days. Learn about the daily life of a presidial trooper stationed on the frontier of Spanish Texas. Explore the stone walls and battlements of the old presidio and when you’re done there, duck inside for a look at our museum and the wonderful collection of artifacts from the 1700 and 1800s. It’s fun for the whole family so come on out and spend the day at Texas’s only fully restored Spanish Presidio!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN Every Wednesday in June and July, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-4:00PM
The Calm Before the Storm -Living Historians and Reenactors bring to life the tense moments just before the Texian War for Independence erupted onto Presidio La Bahia.
Visit with living historians as they bring to life tense moments leading up to the arrival of the Texian forces at the gates of Presidio La Bahia. Learn about the daily life and of a Mexican soldier stationed at the Presidio. Watch and listen in as these soldiers prepare for the coming storm and visit with them about what the impending war would mean for the common soldier of Santa Anna’s grand army.
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN September 7th & 8th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Christmas Rendezvous and Trade Fair -On the first Saturday of December period craftsmen, artisans and reenactors will gather on the grounds of Presidio La Bahia to bring history to life!
Since time immemorial people have gathered together to trade ideas, news and the labor of their hands. Modern times have changed very little and once again, people will gather together at Presidio La Bahia to trade the crafts and wares they have made and collected in a 21st century adaptation of the ancient trade fair!
Take the day and visit Presidio La Bahia and browse the trade blankets and sutlers tents for unique Christmas gifts for that special person on your list!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN December 7th & 8th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM