Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, Texas

Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, Texas Educating The Public About County History. Physical Location: 1506 I-45 North, in Candy Cane Park, Conroe. Open Wed-Sat 9-4; last tour 3:30. Great Gift Shop!

Mailing address: PO Box 2262, Conroe, TX 77305 No Entrance Fee, But We Depend on Donations

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month: Who was Jose Francisco Ruiz? José Francisco Ruiz was a Tejano patriot, milita...
09/28/2026

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month:

Who was Jose Francisco Ruiz?
José Francisco Ruiz was a Tejano patriot, military officer, and diplomat who played a key role in Texas’ fight for independence, signing the Texas Declaration of Independence and serving as a senator in the first Republic of Texas Congress.

After returning to Texas following Mexican independence in 1821, Ruiz served in the Mexican Army, commanding the presidio at Nacogdoches and later establishing Fort Tenoxtitlán on the Brazos River to manage frontier security and regulate immigration.

By the mid-1830s, Ruiz had become a supporter of Texan independence. In early 1836, he was appointed a commissioner to negotiate with the Comanches in San Antonio, leveraging his longstanding relationships to maintain stability during the revolution.

He was elected by the people of Bexar to represent their municipality at the Convention of Washington-on-the-Brazos, and on March 2, 1836, he became one of only two native Texan signatories of the Texas Declaration of Independence. His political and military experience provided critical leadership during the formative days of the Republic of Texas.

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month: Who was Adina Emilia De Zavala? Adina Emilia De Zavala (November 28, 1861 – M...
09/27/2026

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month:

Who was Adina Emilia De Zavala?

Adina Emilia De Zavala (November 28, 1861 – March 1, 1955) was an American teacher, historian and preservationist of Texas history. Her efforts led to saving the Alamo for future generations. She was born to Augustine De Zavala (originally de Zavala), son of Lorenzo de Zavala, the first Vice President of the Republic of Texas.

In 1912 she organized the Texas Historical and Landmarks Association, which placed thirty-eight markers at historic sites in Texas. She probably did more than any other one person in stirring interest in the preservation of the Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio, which was finally purchased in 1928 by the city and restored.

She was the author of a book, History and Legends of the Alamo and Other Missions in and Around San Antonio (1917) pamphlets, including The Story of the Siege and Fall of the Alamo: A Résumé (1911); and a contributor to the Handbook of Texas (1952). Adina De Zavala died on March 1, 1955, and was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in San Antonio.

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month: Who was Lorenzo de Zavala?Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz, first ...
09/25/2026

In Recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month:

Who was Lorenzo de Zavala?
Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz, first vice president of the Republic of Texas. He was born in the village of Tecoh near Mérida, Yucatán, on October 3, 1788.

After graduating from the Tridentine Seminary of San Ildefonso in Mérida in 1807, he founded and edited several newspapers in which he expressed those democratic ideas that were to be the hallmark of his political career.

After serving as secretary of the provincial assembly of Yucatán in 1820, Zavala went to Madrid in 1821 as a deputy to the Spanish Cortes. Upon his return to Mexico, he joined the leaders of the new nation in establishing a republican government.

Zavala, a strong Federalist, was forced to abandon politics and, after a period of house arrest, to go into exile in June 1830. He went to New York. On March 12, 1829, Zavala was authorized to settle 500 families in a huge tract of land in what is now southeastern Texas.

Zavala's legislative, executive, ministerial, and diplomatic experience, together with his education and linguistic ability, uniquely qualified him for the role he was to play in the drafting of the constitution of the Republic of Texas. His advice and counsel earned him the respect of his fellow delegates, who elected him ad interim vice president of the new republic.

Large, medium and small hand made quilted pumpkins for sale at the museum. They are pretty amazing and delightful!
09/25/2026

Large, medium and small hand made quilted pumpkins for sale at the museum. They are pretty amazing and delightful!

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month Who was José Antonio Navarro?Before Texas independence José Antonio Navarro wa...
09/24/2026

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month

Who was José Antonio Navarro?

Before Texas independence José Antonio Navarro was elected to both the Coahuila and Tejas state legislature and to the federal congress at Mexico City. He supported Texas statehood in 1835 and embraced the idea of independence the following year.

Along with his uncle, José Francisco Ruiz, and Lorenzo de Zavala, he became one of the three Mexican signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence and one of just two native-born Tejano signers. Upon his election to the Texas Congress as a representative from Bexar, Navarro sought to advance the rights of Tejanos, whom many Anglo-Texans held in contempt after the Texas Revolution. - Texas State Historical Association

The Bidai were an Atakapan Speaking Tribe living in Montgomery County, Texas. The Bidai hunted, gathered, fished, grew m...
09/23/2026

The Bidai were an Atakapan Speaking Tribe living in Montgomery County, Texas.

The Bidai hunted, gathered, fished, grew maize, and bartered their surplus maize. They snared game and trapped them in cane pens. During the summer months, they lived along the coasts, but in winters they moved inland in which they lived in bearskin tents.

Before contact, the Bidai made their own ceramics but quickly adopted metal utensils from European trade. They still made pottery into the 19th century and also wove a variety of baskets. In 1803, Dr. John Sibley wrote that Bidai had "an excellent character for honesty and punctuality."

The structure of their cradleboards altered the shape of their skulls. They also enhanced their appearance through body and facial tattooing.

Bidai medicine men were herbalists and performed sweat-bathing. Patients could be treated by being raised on scaffolds over smudge fires.

While the Bidai no longer exist as a distinct tribe, their name endures in place names like Bidai Creek in Walker County, and Bedias in Grimes County.

Can you speak Atakapan? Atakapan is the English spelling of the name of the Atakapa-Ishak, an Indigenous people of the S...
09/22/2026

Can you speak Atakapan?

Atakapan is the English spelling of the name of the Atakapa-Ishak, an Indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands who historically lived along the Gulf of Mexico in what is now Texas and Louisiana.

The Atakapa called themselves Ishak, meaning “the people” and two tribes of Atakapan speaking people lived in Montgomery County, Texas.

The Akokisa (Orcoquiza) were known as the "People of the River". The Bidai (Bee-di) were known as the Brush People.

When Texas was still Tejas: By the late 18th century, Texas had become a vibrant and diverse region, with a mixture of S...
09/21/2026

When Texas was still Tejas:

By the late 18th century, Texas had become a vibrant and diverse region, with a mixture of Spanish, Indigenous American, and European influences.

The American settlers in Texas, known as Texians, played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the region. They brought with them their own political ideals and aspirations for self-governance. However, tensions began to rise between the Mexican government and the Texians, primarily due to cultural differences and disagreements over issues such as slavery.

The issue of slavery was an important factor that contributed to the Texas Revolution. In the early 19th century, Texas had become a haven for slaveholders from the southern United States. They brought their slaves with them to work on the cotton and sugar plantations that were rapidly expanding in the region.

However, Mexico had abolished slavery in 1829, and the Mexican government sought to enforce this law in Texas. This created tension between the slaveholding American settlers and the Mexican authorities.

Before Texas became Texas as we know it today:By 1821, approximately 3,500 Tejano settlers were concentrated in San Anto...
09/20/2026

Before Texas became Texas as we know it today:

By 1821, approximately 3,500 Tejano settlers were concentrated in San Antonio and La Bahia. They were overwhelmingly outnumbered by indigenous tribes despite official efforts. To increase settlement and development, Mexico enacted the General Colonization Law in 1824, which enabled all heads of household to acquire land in Mexico.

The first empresarial grant had been made under Spanish control to Stephen F. Austin, whose settlers, known as the Old Three Hundred, settled along the Brazos River in 1822. The grant was later ratified by the Mexican government, which also authorized additional, similar concessions for colonization. Twenty-three other empresarios brought settlers to the state, the majority coming from the American South, while only one colony was settled by Mexican nationals, and two by European immigrants.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. We welcomed Vanessa Alonzo, Houston Grand Opera singer and the Chikawa Azt...
09/19/2026

National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. We welcomed Vanessa Alonzo, Houston Grand Opera singer and the Chikawa Aztec Dance Group of Conroe.

Address

1506 Interstate 45 North Feeder, TX (Inside Candy Cane Park) Mailing Address: PO Box 2262 Conroe Tx 77305)
Conroe, TX
77301

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(936) 539-6873

Website

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