Community invited to also celebrate the Texas hero’s 219th Birthday

Juan Seguin descendants to travel in for celebration with Family Historical Society

(Seguin) — Members of the Seguin family will be traveling in from across the country this weekend to honor both their proud heritage and the man whose name the city bears. The Seguin Family Historical Society will host a special community celebration this Sunday, October 26, marking the 25th anniversary of the Juan Seguin Statue dedication in Central Park and the 219th birthday of Col. Juan N. Seguin, a hero of the Texas Revolution and one of the state’s most enduring figures.

The free public event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seguin Coliseum.

Albert Seguin, a descendant of Juan Seguin, specifically a third great-grandson says this weekend’s celebration is an opportunity to offer up a mix of history, music, dance, and storytelling. He says it’s not only a chance to celebrate a milestone, but also an opportunity to reintroduce Seguin’s story to a new generation of residents who may not realize just how influential he was in shaping early Texas.

“I think it’s important that people return every once in a while and refresh their memory as far as the history is concerned. Texas recognized Juan Seguin as a Texas hero. Therefore, they issued him a pension for life. So, if there were any naysayers in the community that disapproved of him (spent decades unfairly branded as a traitor and fled into exile) — he was vindicated by the state of Texas and again given a pension for life and as far as the statue was concerned, I think it was a wonderful thing that we all did. It was a whole group of us that did that,” said Seguin.

Throughout the event, guests will get to enjoy performances by Mariachi Sangre de Mi Tierra and Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa. The program will also feature guest speakers Frank de la Teja, historian and author, who will share insights into the life of Seguin’s mother, Maria Josefa Becerra Seguin, and Janice Woods Windle, the acclaimed author of True Women, who will lend her historical perspective on Seguin’s significance.

Albert says for many, the event represents both remembrance and renewal.

He explains that while his ancestor is best known locally as the city’s namesake, his role in Texas history was far greater — as a soldier, statesman, and advocate for Tejano participation in the fight for independence.

He says Juan Seguin’s legacy today can be found across the state.

“There are eight to 10 schools named in his honor, a beautiful little park next to the San Jacinto monument – a Juan Seguin statute was at the Alamo. They just recently moved it to a different location. But he has been at The Alamo all of this time for about five to six years. He had the original headright to Galveston Island which he turned it over to Michel Menard to create the city of Galveston and he was mayor of San Antonio. Some years back, a cousin of ours and local person went to Fort Worth, and she was so excited because she called me and said they have a Juan Seguin plaque here at the stockyards. They have these medallions on the sidewalk – there are several of them – and Juan Seguin is one of them. This just shows the recognition that he has gotten throughout the state of Texas and we have people that contact us from just about all over the world,” said Albert.

To continue forward with the preservation of his legacy, Albert says the Seguin Family hopes to extend a special new recognition during this weekend’s event.

“The Texas State Guard Association, it’s a military association obviously, and what they award is a military award of valor to someone that did something above and beyond the call of duty and they have been doing this for a number of years. This year, we are going to be awarding a local police officer and award of valor. It will be the first one for a Seguin Police Officer from the Seguin family,” said Albert.

Sunday’s event will not only include refreshments but the chance to win one of 25 special gifts and door prizes.

The celebration is being sponsored by the Seguin Family Historical Society in partnership with Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin, the City of Seguin, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Grant, and the United Way of Guadalupe County, along with others committed to preserving and promoting local heritage.

The Seguin Coliseum is located at 950 S. Austin Street.