What is Free Texas?

Written by author Tab Lloyd, Free Texas is the only book on the market dealing specifically with the many free attractions Texas has to offer. Geared toward families, Free Texas lists over 120 places to visit. Museums, historical sites, nature parks, and industrial tours are all included in the book. Each attraction is given at least an entire page which lists the attraction's address, phone number, and web site. Also included are in-depth descriptions of what visitors can expect to see at each location. The histories behind each attraction are also included, making Free Texas an invaluable educational resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Lone Star State.

Why Free Texas? 

When I was growing up, my family was not wealthy by any means. In fact, by most standards we lived in poverty. We did not have money to travel anywhere but the occasional trip to relatives’ houses. However, my mother provided many experiences for me through trips to the library. We may not have done much, but read we did. Through those books, I was able to travel around this world and a number of others as well. Fascinating stories of even the simplest things filled my mind and enabled me to see connections across cultures and time. For this, I am thankful.  

Now that I am grown, I work to instill this love of stories in my own children. Summer is our favorite time of the year, because it takes us many places through the doors of the library. But one thing my husband and I can provide for our boys, that my family was not able to provide for me, is experience. So, while exploring new lands through books, we also explore the old land in which we live through travel. There’s nothing like going to the Gonzales Jail Museum to hear the 1921 story of the “innocent” convict, Albert Howard. Swearing his innocence, Howard cursed the town’s clocks to never work again after his execution; they haven’t worked since. My boys ask of his innocence, cringing at the thought of being housed in such a horrible place for something someone else did. 

Stories are everywhere—and in everything. While some folks have put a price on their stories, chances are, good stories do not cost much. And the best ones? They are freely given. When I asked Cile Ambrose why she offered her museum, the Central Texas Museum in Salado, free to the public, she answered quite plainly, as if I should already have known. “Because Texas IS free. We’re a free state, we have a free spirit, we are a free country, we’re a free people, and when we have a good thing, we want to share it with everyone. How can you put a price tag on that?” It’s true- when you have a good thing, chances are, you just want to share- share the story, the excitement, the opportunity for knowledge. So this book is full of people like Cile, who want to share their lives, stories and history with others, just because.  

Now, very few places in this book can one go for entertainment. Entertainment is a service, and from elementary economics lessons, we know that services are given in exchange for something—usually money. Rather, the attractions in this book are more learning opportunities—to experience our past as a state—a nation—a people. What about the out-of-state visitors? We welcome ya’ll, too. We will share our stories with anyone who will take the time. But, you have to give it freely. Some places you will like, others may not be your cup of Texas Tea. It’s up to you to decide, and there’s no other way to do that than to get out and explore our Free Texas.