Museums are for more than just facts and figures, they are places where our imagination can
take flight as we ponder what it was like to live in faraway places or distant times.
Upon entering the Frontier Gallery at The Bryan Museum for Texas History located in Galveston, visitors of all ages are immediately swept away into April 21, 1836 by the Diorama of the Battle of San Jacinto.
More than 1,200 Mexican and Texian army figures are arranged in an authentic landscape depicting all stages of the famous and final battle of the Texas Revolution, allowing you to imagine yourself in the action fighting alongside figures such as Sam Houston and Juan Seguin.
The recreated battle is viewable from all four sides, and each side holds hidden treasures,
including women traveling with the Mexican Army and the Twin Sister cannons on the Texian line. This
detailed diorama was custom made for the Bryan Museum. Mexican and Texian army figures were
handcrafted by King and Country and includes 40 handcrafted trees and 3,000 marsh plants and weeds.
There are even a few cows belonging to Peggy McCormick, on whose land the battle took place. Many of
the figures are available for sale in the museum’s gift shop.
Visitors can use the strategically placed iPads throughout the exhibit to learn more about the battle and study specific figures like Mexican President Santa Anna de Lopez and Texian Colonel Sydney Shermam. All major participants for the Texian and Mexican armies are present on the battlefield and
described using the museum’s technology.
The diorama continues to be a favorite especially for young visitors. Many families make it a
must see stop after visiting the San Jacinto Monument where the battle physically took place in present
day La Porte. The diorama is a perfect summer learning tool while taking your family on museum
adventures to learn more about Texas history in your own backyard.
