In 2006, Gov. Rick Perry officially declared the month of September as Tejano Heritage Month. Spearheaded by the efforts of Texas Tejano.com, a San Antonio-based historical publishing and research company, a full calendar of events has been announced that will help bring about awareness of Tejano heritage as well as honor to those who helped found this rich land known as Texas.
Casa Navarro State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property, was the homestead of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871), a rancher, merchant, leading advocate for Tejano rights, statesman, and one of only two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Casa Navarro is participating in a number of events during the month, including the world premiere of Navarro, A Children’s Opera on September 24 at 7 p.m. at the Buena Vista Street Theatre on the downtown campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio. This production is part of the innovative Opera in the Schools program, where children experience a unique learning opportunity in Texas history, music education, performance, composition, and stage production. The opera will tour 70 schools over the next two years, providing many kids their first exposure to an important part of Texas history and their heritage, and will foster an appreciation and expand their learning experience through music.
Kids visiting Casa Navarro State Historic Site, homestead of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro.
Honor the many Tejano patriots, including José Antonio Navarro, at the 6th Annual Tejano Memorial Ceremony on September 26 at San Fernando Cemetery #1. This solemn occasion memorializes many of the Tejano patriots that took place in the Texas Revolution that are buried there. Also being held during Tejano Heritage Month is the 32nd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference that the Los Bexareños Genealogy Society is presenting on Sept. 29 at the Marriott Plaza Hotel.
“This is looking to be our most successful Tejano Heritage Month to date, ” says says Texas Tejano.com President and Founder Rudi R. Rodriguez, ” It was once said that Texas history would never be complete without the story of the Tejanos being told. We are helping to complete that story. Viva Tejano Texas! ”
Learn about all the events and activities taking place this month at www.texastejano.com. Visit the THC’s Let’s Celebrate Our Tejano Culture page to discover more about celebrating Tejano culture in Texas.
