The exhibition and seminar seek to increase public awareness of a long and important period in the history of Texas — the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, when Spain and later Mexico were intertwined with the Lone Star State.

The Consulate General of Spain in Houston is proud to announce the opening of the exhibition El Camino Real de los Tejas: Past & Present, which will run from August 27 through September 5 at Galveston.The exhibit, consisting of panels with old maps and engraving reproductions, photographs and other historical domuments, will be shown in Old Galveston Square, 2211 Strand.

El Camino Real de los Tejas (The Royal Road of Texas) is a historic landmark that dates from 1680 to 1845 and spans Spanish, Mexican and early American history. It was designated as a national Historic Trail in 2004 by the U.S. Congress, thus joining another 10 historic trails in the country. The exhibition portrays the essential facts and history of the El Camino Real de los Tejas across cities and lands, and hopefully will contribute in making the public aware of the history and richness of the Texan lands.

The Spanish Consulate exhibition will be accompanied by Photographs of El Camino Real de los Tejas by Photographer Christopher Talbot, an associate professor at the Stephen F. Austin University School of Art. This photography exhibit features a portion of Talbot’s traveling exhibit which is going to various sites along the historic trail and is a visual documentation of Camino Real. His photos have captured outstanding images of trail swales, acequias, river crossings, forts, missions, presidios, and other original remnants along the old route.

The display will open in conjunction with ArtWalk on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. Following ArtWalk, it will be open daily from Sunday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. A seminar about El Camino Real de los Tejas will be held on Friday, Sept. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Several experts will talk about the significance of the route and answer questions from the public. Speakers include Dr. Felix Almarez, University of Texas San Antonio; Steven Gonzales, El Camino Real do los Tejas National Historic Trail Association; and Florence Patton, Daughters of the American Revolution. The event will also be attended by the new Spanish Consul General Cristobal Valdés Valentin-Gamazo.

Venue

More information

Mitchell Historic Properties