About the Event

Join 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

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. Mr. Potter 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, Mr. 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. Bill 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.

Tour Includes

  • Admission to all venues
  • All guide and docent fees
  • Electronic headset receiver for ease of hearing guides
  • Biblical/providential interpretation from historian Bill Potter
  • Rich fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ
  • Landmark Events’ signature service throughout the tour

Ticket Prices

Register the first four people in your family, adults first, into the proper ticket type. Register the rest under the  Additional Family Member ticket and  enjoy the lower price!
Adult (16+):$99
Youth (5-15):$69
Add’l Family (unlimited):$49

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
10:30am LBJ State Park and Historic Site—Ranch
199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671
  0 miles ≈ 0 minutes
11:30am LBJ Ranch—NPS
199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671
  14.4 miles ≈ 16 minutes
  Fort Martin Scott Historic Site
1606 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
  2.4 miles ≈ 6 minutes
2:00pm National Museum of the Pacific
311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
  17.4 miles ≈ 23 minutes
4:30pm Enchanted Rock
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
  19.9 miles ≈ 28 minutes
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
10:00am French Legation House
802 San Marcos St, Austin, TX 78702
  1.4 miles ≈ 6 minutes
11:00am Texas State Capitol Tour
1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
  22.3 miles ≈ 29 minutes
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

Upcoming Events

Mobile Bay Tour
March 20-23, 2024

Cradle of Liberty Tour
Aug 15-20, 2024