Previous Quarterly Meetings
Our quarterly meetings are a fantastic opportunity to hear local historians and archivists share their knowledge about our area's rich history. See the recaps of past Quarterly Meetings!
April 2026 Quarterly Meeting
Dr. Stephen Hardin
For the Spring Quarterly Meeting, the Bastrop County Historical Society was honored to welcome acclaimed Texas author Dr. Stephen L. Hardin as the featured presenter.Guests enjoyed a fascinating presentation as Dr. Hardin shared insights into his research process, the stories behind his writing, and discussed his latest publication, Texian Exodus.
Following the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to meet the author, have their books signed, and purchase copies from the Museum Store. The free community event brought together history enthusiasts from across the region for an engaging evening celebrating Texas history and scholarship. Dr. Stephen L. Hardin is a specialist in Texas, military, and social history. His extensive body of work includes the award-winning Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution and Texian Exodus, the only academic book dedicated to the Runaway Scrape, an event in which Bastrop County played a significant role. In addition to his writing and teaching, Dr. Hardin has appeared as a historical expert on A&E, the History Channel, the Discovery Network, and NBC's Today. He was elected a Fellow of the Texas State Historical Association in 2009 and continues to be recognized as one of the state's leading historians.
January 2026 Quarterly Meeting
Election of Officers and 2026 Preview
In October, Bastrop celebrated its designation as an official site on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail with a vibrant community fiesta in the heart of downtown!
Hosted by the Bastrop County Historical Society and Museum, the day was filled with live music, traditional dance, hands-on activities, and delicious food that brought the history and culture of El Camino Real to life.
The evening continued with the unveiling of the official National Historic Trail sign by Mayor Ishmael Harris and City Council members Perry Lowe and Kevin Plunkett, and a dramatic retelling of the first Spanish crossing of the Colorado River at Bastrop. The celebration concluded with a keynote presentation from former BCHS president and museum docent Frank Huffman, highlighting the lasting impact of El Camino Real on our community specifically the visitor center.
It was a wonderful day of connection, culture, and celebration officially placing Bastrop on the national historic map.
October 2025 Quarterly Meeting
Camino Real de Los Tejanos
In October, Bastrop celebrated its designation as an official site on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail with a vibrant community fiesta in the heart of downtown!
Hosted by the Bastrop County Historical Society and Museum, the day was filled with live music, traditional dance, hands-on activities, and delicious food that brought the history and culture of El Camino Real to life.
The evening continued with the unveiling of the official National Historic Trail sign by Mayor Ishmael Harris and City Council members Perry Lowe and Kevin Plunkett, and a dramatic retelling of the first Spanish crossing of the Colorado River at Bastrop. The celebration concluded with a keynote presentation from former BCHS president and museum docent Frank Huffman, highlighting the lasting impact of El Camino Real on our community specifically the visitor center.
It was a wonderful day of connection, culture, and celebration officially placing Bastrop on the national historic map.
July 2025 Quarterly Meeting
Railroads in Bastrop County
July's Quarterly Meeting explored the powerful story of how iron rails helped shape the towns and spirit of Bastrop County over the past 150 years.
This engaging program highlighted how railroads played a vital role in the development of communities like Paige, McDade, Elgin, Smithville, and Bastrop with Smithville standing out as a true railroad town. Local historians and railroad enthusiasts Bruce Blalock, Ken Stavinho and Ken Kesselus guided attendees through the story of railroading in the county from 1870 to today, sharing insights into the cultural and economic impact trains had on everyday life.
It was a fascinating journey through local history that revealed how railroads didn’t just build towns; they shaped the lives of the people who called them home.
January 2024 Quarterly Meeting
Leah Moncure
Bastrop native Leah Moncure became the first woman to become a professional engineer in Texas. The January Quarterly Meeting honored her legacy with the unveiling of an Undertold History marker at her home and an excellent presentation by BCHS trustee and local historian Sandra Chipley.
October 2024 Quarterly Meeting
Camino Real de Los Tejas
Guests enjoyed an insightful and entertaining program centered on the rich history of El Camino Real de Los Tejas. Steven Gonzales, Executive Director of the El Camino de Los Tejas National Historic Trail Association, shared a compelling presentation on the legacy of this historic route, which stretches from northern Louisiana through Texas and into Mexico. His talk highlighted the trail’s lasting impact on trade, settlement, and cultural exchange across the region.
Following the presentation, the evening took a lively turn as BCHS trustee Ron Ramirez, local historian Ken Kesselus, and Collections Manager Heather Bloom brought history to life with a fun and engaging skit about El Camino Real de Los Tejas. Their performance added a touch of humor while helping audiences connect more deeply with the stories of the trail and its significance to Bastrop and beyond.
