About the Event
oin Landmark Events historian Bill Potter as he leads a short but substantial tour through the Texas Hill Country, a region settled first by Indians, and then primarily Germans (and everyone else Mexico could entice to populate their northern lands). You’ll visit the incredible National Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg along with several Lyndon B. Johnson sites nearby. While in Fredericksburg you will have an opportunity to sample some genuine German cuisine before we cap off our day with a hike up the geologic wonder known as Enchanted Rock. The following day we head into Austin to visit heroes of Texas in the State Cemetery, stop by the very interesting French Legation House, and finish at the largest Capitol Building in the land for a survey of key outdoor monuments and a most interesting talk by Mr. Potter entitled “How to Tour a Capitol as a Christian.”
Tour Highlights
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Boyhood Home
It was the first week of March, 1937, when Lyndon Johnson stood on the porch of his boyhood home to announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives for the Tenth District of the State of Texas. So began a career in public service that spanned more than three decades, culminated in the presidency of the United States, and ushered in landmark legislation such as Medicare, Head Start, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and forty-three national park authorizations or additions. Looking back, we see clearly the impact of Johnson’s policies and it’s not all good.
LBJ State Park and Historic Site and Ranch
Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president, was born and raised in the Texas Hill Country. But his story is not the only one told here. Experience life on a Texas-German farm and marvel at American bison and Texas longhorns.
Fort Martin Scott
Fort Martin Scott was the first U.S. Army outpost built on the Texas Frontier. The old military fort was in operation from 1848 to 1853 by the U.S. Army. Texas Rangers used the site as a camp, both before and after military occupation. During the Civil War, the Confederate States Army occupied the fort for a brief period. Later abandoned and then purchased and used by the Braeutigam family as a farm, the property was purchased by the City of Fredericksburg in 1949.
National Museum of the Pacific
The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW) is recognized today as a world-class, cultural institution. A Smithsonian Affiliate and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, NMPW provides the nation’s most comprehensive account of World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. Remaining true to its promise to Admiral Nimitz: to honor all who served and supported the war effort in the Pacific, the Museum proudly presents the facts, stories, and authentic artifacts of the Pacific War for today and generations to come.
Enchanted Rock
The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for hundreds of years. The mile long trail to the top affords outstanding views from the summit. This optional hike provides a relaxed fellowship opportunity and is a nice way to close our day.
State Cemetery
Efforts to establish the Texas State Cemetery began in 1851, with the death of General Edward Burleson. Burleson served with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto and as Vice President of the Republic of Texas. Throughout the years other notable Texans have been buried on Cemetery grounds including: Stephen F. Austin, General Albert Sidney Johnston, 31 Texas Rangers along with 16 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
French Legation House
One of the oldest houses in Austin, the French Legation opened in 1841 as a home and diplomatic outpost for the French chargé d’affaires to the Republic of Texas, Alphonse Dubois, after France recognized the Republic of Texas as a sovereign nation. The site tells the story of Texas’ settlement and the growth of one of the capital city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
State Capitol Tour
The Republic of Texas established Austin as the capital in 1839. A log cabin with two large rooms and smaller meeting rooms served as the Capitol. An eight-foot stockade fence surrounded the structure for protection during Indian raids. In 1880 Texas officials announced a nation-wide design competition for the new Capitol with an award of $1,700. In 1885 the cornerstone was laid, and over 1,000 people began construct a building that had 392 rooms, 924 windows and 404 doors upon completion. It remains the largest, bigger than the US Capitol, and most beautiful capitols in the country.
Event Speakers
Historian Bill Potter
An experienced historian and avid bibliophile, Bill Potter combines a lifelong study of American history with an uncommon ability to captivate audiences of all ages as he traces the providential acts of God throughout the ages. He has taught history in high schools and colleges, has led many tours of American and European historical sites and brings to each event a wealth of experience and knowledge. An experienced researcher and writer, Dr. Potter possesses a practical knowledge of antiquarian books, documents, and artifacts and has published several short books and has penned many articles and book reviews for publication. Dr. Potter has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man gifted in communicating the story of God’s providential hand in American history. As a father of eight children, he appreciates the necessity of passing on to the succeeding generations the richness of both our regional and national history. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Virginia.
Adult (16+):
Youth (5-15):
Add’l Family (unlimited):Teach Them Diligently
Homeschool Conference after the Tour!
March 23-25 – Round Rock, TX
Great Speakers / Great Resources / Great Fellowship
Register for the TTD Conference here and save $20 on a family registration with code Landmark23.
3 Brand New Messages by Bill Potter
- The Messianic Character of American Education—March 23, 1:20pm
- Women of the Protestant Reformation: Exemplars of Virtue and Competence—March 23, 4:00pm
- George Orwell Revisited in 2023—March 25, 2:20pm
Stop by our booth, #600, in the exhibit hall. We would love to say hello and give you a free $50 gift certificate! (Separate registration required)
Event Schedule
(Locations subject to change)
Wednesday, March 22
| 8:30am | LBJ Boyhood Home—Johnson City 200 E Elm St, Johnson City, TX 78636 |
 13.8 miles ≈ 14 minutes |
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| 10:30am | LBJ State Park and Historic Site—Ranch 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671 |
| 0 miles ≈ 0 minutes |
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| 11:30am | LBJ Ranch—NPS 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671 |
| 14.4 miles ≈ 16 minutes |
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| Fort Martin Scott Historic Site 1606 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 |
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| 2.4 miles ≈ 6 minutes |
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| 2:00pm | National Museum of the Pacific 311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 |
| 17.4 miles ≈ 23 minutes |
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| 4:30pm | Enchanted Rock 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 |
| 19.9 miles ≈ 28 minutes |
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| 6:30pm | Food, fun and fellowship—Fairfield Inn & Suites (BYO food) 513 Friendship Lane, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 |
| 7:30pm | Mr. Potter’s Quiz with neat prizes |
Thursday, March 23
| 8:00am | Texas State Cemetery 909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 0.4 miles ≈ 2 minutes |
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| 10:00am | French Legation House 802 San Marcos St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 1.4 miles ≈ 6 minutes |
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| 11:00am | Texas State Capitol Tour 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 |
| 22.3 miles ≈ 29 minutes |
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| 12:00pm | TTD Conference Kicks Off! Kalahari Resorts & Conventions 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665 |
| 1:20pm | TTD Conference Session with Bill Potter: “The Messianic Character of American Education” Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Portia |
| 4:00pm | TTD Conference Session with Bill Potter: “Women of the Protestant Reformation, Exemplars of Virtue and Competence” Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Kilamanjaro 7 |
Saturday, March 25
| 2:20pm | TTD Conference Session with Bill Potter: “George Orwell Revisited in 2023” Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Event Barn |
Image Credits: 1 Lyndon B Johnson Boyhood Home (TripAdvisor.com) 2 LBJ Ranch and Historic Site (TripAdvisor.com) 3 Fort Martin Scott (TripAdvisor.com) 4 National Museum of the Pacific War (TripAdvisor.com) 5 Enchanted Rock (Unsplash.com) 6 Enchanted Rock (TripAdvisor.com) 7 Texas Capitol (Unsplash.com) 8 French Legation House (TripAdvisor.com) 9 French Legation House (Wikimedia.org) 10 Texas State Cemetery (TripAdvisor.com)
Upcoming Events
Spirit of the West Tour
September 23-27, 2024
Virginia Historic Triangle Tour
October 18-19, 2024
