SAN JACINTO MONUMENT OBSERVATION DECK CLOSED FOR REPAIRS
September 2004
HOUSTON - The process of creating a new Master Plan to guide a major overhaul of the San Jacinto Monument and battleground is resulting in some site changes that will mean temporary visitor inconveniences during renovations.
One such change is the suspension of visitor access to the observation area at the top of the monument, which went into effect on Sep. 22. All other museum operations will remain open, including Texas history exhibits, the theater where visitors view the award-winning film Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto, and the museum store.
The San Jacinto Monument is owned and maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The private, nonprofit San Jacinto Museum of History Association (SJMHA) has operated the San Jacinto Museum at the base of the monument since 1939. After receiving a draft site review by a safety consultant, the SJMHA Board of Directors and TPWD officials agreed to suspend access to the observation floor pending evaluation and planning for a renovation.
"There is still plenty to see and do here, including our newest exhibit, Texas Originals: Real and Imagined," said Sarita Hixon of Houston, who chairs the SJMHA board. "Visitor safety and convenience is our first priority and although there may be some disruption during the course of this project, the long-term result will be improved historical interpretation and a better visitor experience."
Building codes have changed significantly since 1939, and although there have been no public safety incidents involving the observation area, experts say there are opportunities to take further precautions. The SJMHA is working with the firm of Rolf Jensen & Associates, a national life-safety engineering firm, to evaluate existing conditions and define upgrades to the observation floor and stairwells.
TPWD has recently completed a comprehensive restoration of the monument’s iron and limestone exterior, funded in large part with $10 million appropriated in 1995 by the Texas Legislature.
The museum association and department are cooperating on a comprehensive plan to restore the San Jacinto Battleground, where the last battle of the Texas Revolution created an independent Republic of Texas. The plan calls for restoring the battleground to its 1836 appearance, construction of a new Visitors Center/Museum and other improvements to create an interpretive program that is both exciting and educational for visitors. The legislature provided additional funding for the current planning effort after voters approved Proposition 8 bond funding to repair state parks. A combination of additional public and private funding will be required to implement the plans under development.
"This is the most responsible course of action we can take for our visitors," said Robert L. Cook, TPWD executive director. "We will continue working closely with the museum association and we fully support efforts to make San Jacinto one of the most significant historical battlefield parks in the nation."
The new museum exhibit Texas Originals: Real and Imagined is on display through Labor Day 2005, featuring one-of-a-kind artifacts which detail rich moments from Texas history involving Native Americans, the story of Texas Independence, Vaqueros and cowboys, and the oil industry. Two premier artifacts, Davy Crockett’s 1819 fiddle and Sam Houston’s signature red sash are included in the display, which was created by the Witte Museum in San Antonio.
This fall, a series of Family Day Celebrations continues at the museum, including an Oct. 9 event highlighting the oil industry and the museum’s Second Annual Fall Family Festival on Nov. 6 highlighting Vaqueros and Cowboys.
The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic site is located near Houston in the Pasadena/Deer Park area. The 1,200-acre site includes the battleground, the San Jacinto Monument and Museum and the Battleship TEXAS. For more information about the Monument, call the museum at (281) 479-2421 or visit
www.sanjacinto-museum.org
