Harlingen Happenings
Mary Torres
The Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools Program, or CHAPS Program, at UTRGV, has developed a traveling museum exhibit that showcases all historical eras of Fort Brown history called “Discovering Fort Brown.”
Fort Brown, in present-day Brownsville, Texas, was established in 1846 as the first U.S. military post in Texas. Brigadier General Zachary Taylor arrived at the site on March 1846 to occupy the territory that was claimed by both the United States and Mexico.
The initial fort was an earthen fortification constructed by Taylor’s troops and called “Fort Texas.” Fort Brown remained in service until it was deactivated by the military in 1945. Today the Fort’s surviving buildings and grounds are part of the campuses of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. The CHAPS Program was established in 2009 in an effort to provide regional educators with a curriculum to teach Rio Grande Valley K-12 students and create archaeologically and historically literate citizens.
The public is invited to the opening reception for the “Discovering Fort Brown” exhibit at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, 2425 Boxwood St. Tuesday, July 30, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is free and you’re encouraged to come to meet the faculty and staff of the CHAPS Program and learn about this and its other interesting projects. For more information contact the museum at 956-216-4901.
This month’s Good Morning Downtown Coffee and Conversation is being hosted by Jackson Street Antiques, 218 W. Jackson, Harlingen, TX, Thursday, August 1 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
This event is a fantastic venue for networking opportunities, it offers a great way to promote your business and learn what’s happening downtown. The event is free and there will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information please call the Downtown Harlingen Office at 956-216-4910.
Save the Date:
Saturday, August 10, 2019, 1:30 p.m. The Rio Grande Valley Byliners Monthly Meeting, Harlingen Public Library, 410 ‘76 Dr., Harlingen, TX. The event is free and the public is cordially invited. For more information visit http://rgvbyliners.org/.
Sunday, August 11, 2019, 2:00 p.m., The Cameron County Historical Commission will hold its regular meeting at the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, 7200 Paredes Line Rd., Brownsville, TX. Free and open to the public. For more information call 956-345-4756.
Thursday, August 15, 2019, 10:15 a.m., The Tip O’ Texas Genealogical Society will meet at the Harlingen Public Library, 410 ‘76 Dr. to air a video from Rootstech 2019, “The Silent Language of the Stones, Reading Gravestones through Symbols and Carvings,” by Joy Neighbors. For more information visit the society’s Facebook page.
Thursday, August 15, 2019, 6-8 p.m., Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, “Mystery at the
Museum – The Unveiling of the Pineda Stone.” A Celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Pineda Stone. Free and open to the public. For more information call 956-216-4901.
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 1:30 p.m., The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society will meet at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum. 2425 Boxwood St. for a presentation by Al Guillen, “A Son’s Story.” For more information call 956-345-4756.
