Preserving History Through Community

One of the missions of the Williamson County Grays is to preserve history for future generations. We believe that history is best preserved not only in books, archives, and monuments, but also by taking it into the community and sharing it directly with the public.

Throughout the year, members of the Grays participate in festivals, living-history programs, parades, commemorations, and educational events across Central Texas. These events give us the opportunity to tell the stories of Texans who lived through the Civil War era, display period artifacts, answer questions, and help connect today's communities with the people and events that shaped their history.

This fall, the Grays will be participating in several major community events.

At the 49th Annual Oatmeal Festival in Bertram on September 26, 2026, members of the Williamson County Grays will take part in the Grande Parade and operate an informational booth during the festival. The Oatmeal Festival is one of the Hill Country's longstanding community traditions, drawing visitors for a full day of parades, vendors, music, contests, and family activities.
Visit the Oatmeal Festival website

On September 27, 2026, we will travel to Serbin for the annual Wendish Fest, hosted by the Texas Wendish Heritage Society. Our living-history presentation will focus on the Wendish immigrants who settled in Texas and later served during the Civil War. By sharing their individual stories, we hope to place their military service within the larger story of Wendish immigration, faith, family, and settlement in Texas.
Visit the Texas Wendish Heritage Society

The Grays will also participate in Fort Croghan Day at historic Fort Croghan in Burnet. The annual event is held on the second Saturday in October and brings the grounds of the historic frontier fort to life through demonstrations, reenactors, historic crafts, museum activities, and educational programs. Fort Croghan itself was established in 1849 and played an important role in the early settlement of Burnet County.
Visit Fort Croghan Museum & Grounds

For the Williamson County Grays, participation in these events is more than public outreach. It is part of our responsibility to ensure that the people, places, and experiences of the past remain part of the public memory. Every conversation, artifact display, historical interpretation, and story shared with a visitor is another opportunity to carry that history forward.

Preserve the history. Tell the stories. Pass them on.