Two years ago, my brother and sister-in-law bought a piece of Texas history. Since then, they have spent every spare moment lovingly and meticulously restoring The Seward Plantation in Independence, Texas. My husband is especially thrilled with their purchase because he loves a good project. It has been so much fun to be a part of the transformation, and our family often spends the weekend in Washington County enjoying all it has to offer.
A little bit of Texas history
Washington County is considered the birthplace of Texas. On March 2, 1836, fifty-nine delegates met along the Brazos River to declare independence from Mexico and draft the constitution of the new Republic of Texas. The community became known as “Washington-on-the-Brazos” to distinguish itself from the other Washington (“on-the-Potomac”). Although we have not yet visited (it’s on the list!), the Washington-on-the-Brazos historic site includes a visitor center, museum, and a living history farm. The Star of the Republic Museum features a chronological history of early Texas as well as arts and artifacts from the period. Costumed guides use 1850s methods and materials to show visitors about life as it was on the farm.
Surrounded by cotton plantations, nearby Independence became a cultural center and the wealthiest town in Texas during the 1840s. According to the town’s website, it was chosen as the original site of Baylor University because “…the refined society, splendid landscapes and beautiful live oak groves, all combine to make Independence an eligible point for a great literary institution.” Although the university moved to Waco in 1886, there are still remnants of the original buildings in town. Since I am a proud Baylor alum, of course I have made my kids visit the site! At its peak in the 1850s, the town was an economic, educational and religious hub. Sam Houston lived there, and you can still visit the Baptist church where he was a member. Though due to the Civil War, the Great Storm of 1900, and especially the bypass of the railroad, the county seat eventually moved to Brenham.
The Seward Plantation
Samuel Seward moved his family from Illinois to Texas in a covered wagon in 1832 to join his friend Stephen F. Austin as a new settler in Mexican Territory. He purchased land along La Bahia Road which was a popular east-west trail used by both Spanish settlers and Native Americans. He left the land to his son, John, and his wife, Laura, who built the Greek Revival home in 1855. Prior to the Civil War, the property was a cotton plantation and later became a thriving cattle ranch. Many of the original buildings are still standing, including slave quarters, barns, a blacksmith’s shop, and a smokehouse. The home stayed in the Seward family for five generations until Wiley and Cynthia purchased it in 2017.
The Seward Plantation in 2017…. 
All the stuff…. 
Not only did they purchase the working ranch and home, they also purchased most of the furniture and other belongings. There were trunks full of 18th and 19th-century clothing, closets overflowing with linens and bedding, and cabinets bursting with glassware, china, and silver. The barns still held antique farm equipment, and there was even a 1940s Oldsmobile Deluxe Woody! It has taken these past two years to sort through and organize all of the treasures. Cynthia is chronicling their work on Instragram — check it out to see more amazing pictures of their gorgeous home and all of the amazing transformations they are making.
August 2019 
Such a beautiful home! 
Small town Saturday night
This was a quick trip, so we spent most of our weekend in Washington County drinking coffee or wine on the wonderful wrap-around porch and enjoying the view. We did venture into Brenham Saturday night for dinner at BT Longhorn Steakhouse on Baylor Street. Neon signs adorn the beautiful bar that could have been in an Old West saloon, and kitschy signs and animal heads decorate the walls. One of the kids in our group was just back from summer school on the east coast, and he could not wait to order Texas-favorite Shiner Bock. (And yes, this “kid” is over 21!) I ordered a Paloma with just the right amount of tang and fizziness, and we settled in to peruse the menus that promised a “taste of Texas.” We stuck with the local favorites, and the ribeyes and calorie-splurge-worthy chicken fried steaks did not disappoint!
To help walk off our dinner, we took a spin around downtown where I always feel as if we have stepped into the set of “Back to the Future.” Our timing was great— on Saturday nights in July, Brenham hosts “Hot Nights, Cool Tunes” in the town square. We chatted with some of the locals, marveled over the gorgeous Texas sunset, and tried to embarrass our kids as we danced to some great live music.
This time, our weekend in Washington County was short and sweet. Although it was so much fun, I am headed back there today! I’m looking forward to another relaxing weekend in Washington County.
