FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Commission tells story of Bastrop County

New website offers tourists, residents activities and information

Hear how Bastrop County was one of the original four Anglo settlements in Mexico before Texas became a nation, how people traveled "The King's Highway" and where the Capital of Texas was once briefly located. Step inside the original buildings from the 1800s, see how our children were educated, learn how the railroad and workers shaped Bastrop County, and why so many businesses use the term "Lost Pines" today.

 Bastrop County Historical Commission has formed an online series at www.bastropcountyhistorical.gov of diverse tales at covering the county, with stories and engaging photos, videos, the personal connection of oral retellings like grandpa used to say, and information that educates as it entertains.

 The site also gets you and your family moving. Step in and join the local upcoming happenings, follow the self-guided tours at your leisure, and visit museums and other historic sites, including the cabins and bridges at state parks built almost 100 years ago.

 BCHC invites you to take your time and wander through the new website for stories that keep you reading. Visit bastropcountyhistoricalcommission.com to rethink Bastrop County.

 Historians all around the county have spent countless hours researching their passion projects to give you these experiences, said BCHC Chairman Ken Kesselus. We invite you to explore our improved website and walk in the shoes of those who came before us.

With ongoing input from BCHC and community members and with further research, it quickly grew into a much larger, longer-term plan to grow the site with more diverse stories, additional historic sites, self-guided tours and events, and would also include information on resources and partner organizations of the Commission. The current site setup was inadequate to meet these requirements, and more training was needed for volunteers to meet the updated project goals.

 The redesign project has morphed into much more – a community-wide gathering of people who choose to have a say in their own history.

 Volunteers have been gathering information for decades, said Kesselus. This redesign project focuses on organizing that data and continuing research to tell all the stories of Bastrop County. The Commission and volunteers are instrumental in providing historical accuracy while making it relevant and personal.

BCHC is continuing to accept stories and ideas from the public to obtain a wide range of knowledge of Bastrop County. The Commission is also accepting volunteers who wish to help with ongoing research into sites and histories. Contact Kesselus at (512) 940-7897 or email kkesselus@yahoo.com.

 The website fulfills part of BCHC's mission and purpose to preserve the historical heritage of the county, provide educational resources, and promote area historic sites for tourists and residents alike.

Media contact:

Ken Kesselus

Chairman, Bastrop County Historical Commission

(512) 940-7897

kkesselus@yahoo.com