RCAD Leadership and Coordination of Smithsonian Museum on Main Street State Inaugural Exhibit in Rockport, January 25 – March 9, 2025

The Rockport Cultural Arts District (RCAD) partnered with state, local and regional organizations to host a landmark event for the community and visitors, the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Exhibit, “Crossroads:  Change in Rural America,” January 25 to March 9, 2025.  One of seven Texas communities chosen for the exhibit out of 54 applicants, Rockport’s cultural heritage and history were on display at the Aransas County Community Center during the traditionally slow winter months, bringing many tourists into the region with increased economic development for local businesses.   Other positive outcomes of the event include increased collaboration among local and regional history groups and recognition for little-known venues.

Opening day ceremonies highlighted the local Vietnamese community with an emphasis on holiday festivities, costumes, dances and cuisine.   Throughout the exhibit, Rockport’s multi-cultural roots were displayed with interactive and hands-on activities for children.   A session on Native American culture featured indigenous regalia, dances, customs and beliefs.   Hispanic culture was recognized with a program about the Vaquero Cowboys.

Military and aviation heritage were showcased March 1 at the Aransas County Airport with numerous patriotic activities, including  Warbird flights and flyover and displays of historic aircraft and uniforms.   Tours to the Blackland Museum in Taft, sponsored by Gulf Coast Ventures, were coordinated to expand visitors’ knowledge of ranching culture in the area.   The preservation of the Luther Hotel by the Palacios Preservation Association was another popular attraction.   Other historical venues in Rockport coordinated exhibits and special events, including the Fulton Schoolhouse, Fulton Mansion, History Center for Aransas County and Texas Maritime Museum.

As part of RCAD’s Texas Film-Friendly Community initiatives, the Texas Archive of the Moving Image collected local home movies and premiered “Starring Rockport,” a compilation of media featuring local residents and events including George Strait and Connie Hagar, the “Bird Lady of Texas.”  RCAD also had its first public screening of a documentary it sponsored and produced, “The Story of the Rockport-Fulton Art Colony” with a book signing and remarks, sponsored by Humanities Texas with the authors and artist of the Texas A&M University Press book that inspired the film.   The film was made by RCAD Board Member Carla Tank and was named “Best Documentary” at the Texas Short Film Festival in Austin March 8, 2025. Another compilation of films about celebrated Rockport teacher Bobby Jackson was also screened with the Rockport Little Theatre.

RCAD worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission and collaborated with the Aransas County Historical Commission, the Aransas County Historical Society, the History Center for Aransas County, the Rockport Railroad Museum, the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Tropical Trails Region to host the event.  Partners included the Aransas County Airport, the Brownsville Historical Association, the Cuero Museum, Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, Fulton Schoolhouse Museum DRT, Goliad Chamber of Commerce, Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, Palacios Preservation Association, Port Isabel Lighthouse and City of Port Isabel, Refugio history groups, Rockport Little Theatre, Taft Blackland Museum, Texas Maritime Museum, and Rockport-Fulton Vietnamese Community.   Other sponsors of the exhibit were Aransas County, the City of Rockport, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, and Humanities Texas.