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Wednesday, March 25, 2026
It's 1836 On Alamo Plaza - Rendezvous Is Coming!
The most Texas history bang for your buck
1836 Is Calling...Will You Answer?
It was a privilege to add a Fiesta medal to my collection and, more importantly, to meet some of y'all at last year's event. Thanks to you, it was successful enough for TSHA to do it again this year.
(Bonus: I was invited to serve on the Rendezvous Committee again, so if you don't enjoy yourselves you can take it out of my hide.)
The Texas State Historical Association is bringing 1836 to the storied Menger Hotel next month. Let me fill you in on the details.
Rendezvous is a weekend custom-made for students of Texas history of all ages. This year's theme, if you can't tell, is 1836.
Our Friday evening repast at The Menger, illuminated by the flicker of lanterns, will feature what Texians had aplenty - beef, corn, garden staples - interpreted for our modern palate as beef short ribs, corn & squash succotash, corn bread, and pan de campo.
As a connoisseur of bland conference hotel food and rubbery chicken breasts, I was delighted at how well The Menger fed us last year. I trust the kitchen will give an encore performance this year.
Friday evening's entertainment will be provided by beloved Texas historian Dr. Stephen L. Hardin. His topic? The subject of his latest excellent book, of course: the Runaway Scrape and the experiences of the folks who made for the Sabine.
In keeping with Fiesta tradition, each dinner guest will receive a handsome custom Rendezvous Fiesta medal as a memento of our time together. Period dress is optional but if you have it, come flaunt it at The Menger and enhance the decor of the place.
Saturday morning, there are three unique tour opportunities in the offing at 10 a.m. Choose from the following:
A San Antonio Riverboat tour (approximately one hour and an additional $10)
A walking tour of the bronze models near the Long Barrack that show the evolution of Alamo Plaza over centuries. The tour will be guided by George Nelson, the historian and artist who created them.
A walking tour of Pompeo Coppini statues in downtown San Antonio, led by State Historian (and all around affable guy) Dr. Rick McCaslin.
You'll have time to grab lunch before we reconvene at the Menger at noon for presentations and Q&A. Highlights of Saturday afternoon include:
Kolby "The Cannonman" Lanham of the Alamo will talk to us about what we think we know about the Shrine's artillery pieces vs what the evidence shows. Nobody speaks cannon like Kolby.
Chuck Swanlund will dig into Fannin and the Goliad Massacre with us.
George Nelson will walk us through how Alamo Plaza has evolved over the centuries into something akin to what we see now.
But what will you do with a Fiesta Sunday in San Antonio?
Far be it from me to thwart your autonomy, but if you want to view some of the best Texas art and culture collections, you can. For free. With your Rendezvous name badge, you'll get complimentary admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art and...
What's it cost?
Admission to the whole enchilada (Friday Revolution dinner, Saturday morning tours, Saturday afternoon presentations, Sunday museums) is $150. Entrance to San Antonio's premiere museums alone is worth the price of admission.
Deeply discounted room rates are available at The Menger for Rendezvous attendees. Kiddos under 17 will be admitted to the Saturday presentations at no charge.
This weekend offers history goodies in abundance. I invite y'all to come learn more about our Texas origin story. And I encourage y'all to bring questions for the Q&A session on Saturday.
Most experiments fail. Traditions are the experiments that our forebears tried that actually worked. Let's make Revolution Rendezvous a tradition that future Texans can look forward to and deepen their sense of place each year.
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