WASHINGTON, Texas (KBTX) - The Texas Historical Commission celebrated the completion of a $50 million renovation to the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, known as the birthplace of Texas independence.

The renovation features a redesigned visitor center, an expanded and modernized Star of the Republic Museum, and a newly rebuilt Washington townsite.

“Texas is different. We are unique; we thirst for freedom. We had people willing to die for freedom and independence, and that’s what this story is about,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who began garnering funds for the project in 2019.

Kolkhorst worked to get $40 million funded by the state over multiple legislative sessions, with another $11 million raised by donors.

With over 10,000 students visiting every year, the Texas Historic

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