Brazos County Historical Commission

We hope everyone is enjoying this special day! There is still a lot going on this evening. Here is one. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Happening tomorrow at Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial!

🇺🇸 Celebrate America's 250th Birthday Close to Home! 🇺🇸

If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Independence Day in the Brazos Valley, we encourage you to attend the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial's Independence Day Signing at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex in College Station.

Hear the words that gave birth to a nation founded on the timeless principles of liberty, freedom, and self-government. Following the public reading of the Declaration of Independence, 56 local patriots will sign a special facsimile of the Declaration to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

This inspiring community ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our nation's founding and honor the freedoms we enjoy today.

The Museum of the American G.I. is honored to have been invited to participate in this special event, and we hope you'll consider joining the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial as they commemorate America 250.

Our sincere thanks to the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial for organizing this meaningful celebration and for including us in the day's events.

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

Wonderful coverage of today's dedication!

Today, the Brazos County Historical Commission and the local Independence Chapter #40 of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) held a special ceremony to dedicate a "Liberty Tree."

This beautiful Live Oak is part of the SAR’s national project to plant at least 250 Liberty Trees across the United States, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

As this tree grows, it will stand as a living reminder of our nation's history and the enduring spirit of liberty right here in Brazos County.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate and honor this moment with us today!

Hope to see you there!

Invitation To Attend Thursday's Planting Of Brazos County's "Liberty Tree" - WTAW | 1620AM & 94.5FM Brazos County’s Boonville Heritage Park is the setting Thursday morning (July 2) for an America 250 event. The chairman of the Brazos County historical commission, Henry Mayo, says the park is one of the sites [Read More...]

Brazos County's Historical Commission Receives Another State Award - WTAW | 1620AM & 94.5FM For the 23rd time in 24 years, the Brazos County Historical Commission gets a distinguished service award from the Texas Historical Commission. Chairman Henry Mayo accepted the state award at this week’s (June 23) county [Read More...]

You're Invited To An America 250 Themed Naturalization Ceremony At The Bush Library & Museum Pavilion - WTAW | 1620AM & 94.5FM On the eve of the United States 250th anniversary, 75 people will gather at the Bush Library and Museum Thursday morning (June 25) to become naturalization citizens. Brazos County district judge Kyle Hawthorne will administer [Read More...]

Join us for a day of reflection, discovery, and community as we commemorate Juneteenth!

Whether you're exploring your family history, experiencing the new exhibit, or spending time with loved ones, we invite you to celebrate Juneteenth with us!

Free Admission | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 500 E Pruitt Street | Bryan, Texas 77803

The Brazos County Historical Commission was recently awarded the DAR America 250 Medal at the La Villita Chapter NSDAR awards ceremony.

This special recognition honors individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of the men and women who achieved American Independence, and keeping the stories of their service and sacrifice alive.

Thank you to the La Villita Chapter for this incredible honor—we are proud to continue sharing and protecting our history as we look toward America’s 250th anniversary! 🇺🇸✨

🏆 A True Texas Treasure Right Here in Bryan! 🏆
Today, the Brazos County Historical Commission officially recognized Sam's Shoe Service with the prestigious Texas Treasure Business Award!

Given by the Texas Historical Commission, this honor is reserved exclusively for businesses that have stood the test of time, operating in Texas for over 50 years and significantly contributing to our state's economic and historical growth.

Our community's story with the Dicharos goes back over seven decades:

1950: Sam Dicharo opened a small repair shop in downtown Bryan. It quickly became a family endeavor, with Sam's wife, Willie Mae, managing the register while their sons learned the specialized trade of a shoe cobbler directly from their father.

Today: That incredible 75-year family legacy continues! Ronnie Dicharo owns and operates the business, maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship. (And yes—they are already training the next generation of the family!).

🕰️ A Journey Back in Time
Stepping into Sam’s Shoe Service today is a beautiful sensory reminder of quality and tradition. Housed in a historic wooden-frame building—a rare, cherished sight in today’s modern commercial landscape—the shop immediately greets you with the rich aroma of fine leather and the honest scent of a working repair shop.

As a classic 1971 advertisement in The Eagle once famously put it:

“If you were the lady that lived in a shoe, you would have known just what to do. You’d have gone to see Sam.”

Thank you to the Dicharo family for 75 years of dedication, hard work, and community spirit. Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved honor!