A ceremony was held this week at Washington on the Brazos state park, marking the transfer of that property, the adjacent Barrington Plantation and Star of the Republic Museum, and Fanthorp Inn in Anderson to the Texas Historical Commission.

The historical commission acquired those sites following legislative action, which followed recommendations from the state's sunset commission.

The commission is acquiring the museum from Blinn College and the remaining properties from the parks and wildlife department.

The historical commission's communications director, Chris Florance, says the action allows both the historical commission and parks and wildlife to improve efficiency by focusing each agency on its core mission...the historical commission as the state historic preservation office and parks and wildlife as steward of the state’s natural resources and hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation attractions.

The commission also acquired from parks and wildlife the San Jacinto monument and battleground, the first Anglo colony in Texas...San Felipe de Austin near Sealy, the Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill in Fayette County, Lipantitlán in Nueces County, and the Port Isabel Lighthouse in Cameron County.

For more information about the THC’s 31 state historic sites, visit www.storiedsites.com.