Open year-round from sunrise to sunset for general use.
Bat viewing nightly May-October. The trail to the lower viewing area is closed each evening. Monday through Wednesday evenings the trail and lower viewing area are not open to the public. On Thursday through Sunday evenings, the trail will only be open to those visitors who pay admission to view the bats at the lower viewing area.
For the most up-to-date emergence information, call the toll-free information line at 1.866.978.2287.
Old Tunnel WMA was acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1991. The primary goals of the WMA are to implement sound resource management practices and research investigations to insure the long-term stability of the bat colony, while providing for maximum public outreach opportunities. Research has been conducted at Old Tunnel WMA since the property was purchased by TPWD, and results of these research projects have allowed biologists to make sound management decisions. Bat-viewing opportunities exist seven nights a week and educational presentations are given Thursday through Sunday, May to October.(When visiting Old Tunnel, we recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to get the best view of the bat emergence.)
The nature trail at Old Tunnel WMA is open year-round. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, and general wildlife-viewing. Several educational exhibits with information on bats and railroad history are located along the half mile trail and from May to October bats can usually be seen flying within the tunnel from the trail.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

The Hill Country Juke Box! Dale Mayfield may have one of the most extensive repertoires of songs known to man! Come on out, request a song and don't forget to leave a quarter or two.

Jimmy Lee Jones, a living legend known throughout the state of Texas, was once referred to by Willie Nelson as "the best kept secret in Texas"...this coming from the icon of Texas music known the world over.

Ben Beckendorf was born in Austin Texas in the 50s. Texas was already in the groove of the Blues - with the likes of T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Freddie King, and many more. Little did they know another bluesman had been born. Ever since he knew what a guitar was, Ben wanted one, and in 1964 Ben picked up his first guitar and never put it down. He learned all kinds of music - He liked the Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, & Pop. He listened to his music heroes with a yearning ear. In 1968 Ben wrote his first song ( Beautiful Day-which he still plays for live audiences) and has since written and recorded over 700 songs in many different styles and textures. Ben paints a very vivid picture with his lyrics, and his guitar sometimes seems to speak in words instead of notes. He writes songs for everyday people about everyday things. His melodic ballads can touch and soothe even the most stringent hearts and his rock and blues tunes produce irresistable rhythms with backbone beats. Ben started his first band in 1967, and has played and toured with bands,worked in studios, written, recorded, produced, and engineered ever since. Ben has made the beautiful Hill Country of Fredericksburg Texas his home for over thirty years.

Artist Showcase - Nancy Bush, Joan Potter, Lindsay Scott. Artist Reception TBA
Regular Gallery Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10 AM - 6 PM
Friday and Saturday
10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday Noon - 3 PM
Wednesdays by appointment

Sixty-fifth Anniversary of the Signing of the Instrument of Surrender by representatives of the Emperor of Japan. Accepting the surrender, Admiral Nimitz signed on behalf of the United States while General McArthur signed on behalf of the Allied Forces.

The annual Vereins Quilt Guild biannual quilt show, which showcases the many talents of our members. Also included are vendors, boutique, a silent auction and a tearoom. Cost is $6 per person.

Artisans proudly presents "It's a Mosaic World" by Suzan Germond. Artisans' first-ever show featuring the very talented Suzan Germond and her magical mosaics! Suzan's talent through "found objects as art" has been enjoyed by Artisan's visitors for over 5 years. Her work has been wildly popular in the Texas Hill Country and beyond. Suzan's work will be on display and available for purchase through Saturday, September 18th. Artist Opening September 3rd, 5:00 - 8:00.

A tradition in Fredericksburg is the FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK FREDERICKSBURG, with galleries open until 8:00pm. Fredericksburg's art galleries will be focusing on some aspect of exhibiting artists' works, which may include painting and fine craft demonstrations, casual art talks, opportunities to meet artists, special showings and entertainment. Participants will experience the Fredericksburg art scene up close and personal while enjoying fine wines from local wineries and beyond all day long. Participating galleries are Artisans at Rocky Hill, Charles Beckendorf Gallery, Fredericksburg Art Gallery, The Good Art Co., Photography 414, Rodeo Studio Gallery, Uptown Market, Whistle Pik Galleries, Fredericksburg Art Guild and InSight Gallery.

Enjoy great music and a great selection of gourmet Texas cuisine at Hondo's on Main! Tonight Mike Blakely!
Having released 16 novels and 10 musical albums in the past twenty years, one wonders where Blakely could fit everything in, especially when one factors in an average of three live performances a week, many of which are events he also plans or produces. Then there’s the ranch work.
“Seriously, I do most of my songwriting while driving to the next gig,” Blakely admits. “I can work out the plot for a novel while I’m tearing down a fence, or exercising a horse. It all works together... Traveling makes me appreciate my home on the ranch. The peace and quiet at home makes me yearn for an audience and a stage.” Blakely writes and performs in a number of musical styles: country, Tejano, Cajun, western swing, rock, and blues, to name a few. His later CDs showcase his many influences, and his live shows feature the gamut of his musical tastes. “That’s the beauty of performing in Texas,” he says. “You can play a country song, followed by the blues, followed by some rock, or conjunto, or Cajun, or cowboy music. The audiences here accept all kinds of music.”

Living History Program
This popular living history program uses objects from the museum`s education collection to bring World War II to life for visitors as re-enactors demonstrate the weapons and discuss the tactics and strategy that won the war. The Pacific Combat Zone is located two blocks northeast of the museum complex on E. Austin Street between Elk and Lee.
Three programs each day: 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm

Turn your weekend into a Family Fun Saturday! The first and third Saturday of each month, we add special activities to your museum experience. Try your hand at churning butter, making rope or cornhusk dolls, participating in a spelling bee, decorating cookies or designing old-fashioned holiday cards.
Activities are held at the Pioneer Museum. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and learn something new! please call 830.990.8441 to confirm daily activities.

Crabapple School - Built in 1882. Teacherage in 1878. Consolidated in 1957. Typically, the land for the schools was donated or bought for $1. At Crabapple, Crockett Riley and Mathias Schmidt decided to have a foot race to see who would have the privilege of donating the land. Mathias Schmidt won, and the school was built on his donated land.
Join the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools Trail for their open house at the Crabapple School. The Trail allows visitors to learn about the education and customs of the 19th century residents of German heritage in the Hill Country. Each month a different rural county school will host an open house and tour. Color coded maps of the trail are available at the Visitor Center at 302 E. Austin Street.

Ten miles east of Fredericksburg, Texas on US Hwy 290 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Live music every Saturday from 2-6 in the Pavilion and Piazza. Today music by The Dust Devils. Built around the award-winning, mature songwriting of Kevin Higgins, and representing Texas with their original southern-rockin', genre-bendin' “Farm-to-Market Rock'n'Roll” style of music, The Dust Devils once again state their independence from hype and trends. With the 2007 release of their third album, Change in the Weather, (Little Train Records), the Dust Devils combine diversity with raw talent, allowing them to move about freely on the musical landscape. Add to that the visual and musical advantage of a male and female fronting the band, and you have a winning combination all the way around.

Coming together as a community to show our local volunteer fire department how much they are appreciated. This fish fry benefits the department and helps them be able to purchase needed equipment. Cost is by donation. Tell a firefighter "Thank You!".

Enjoy great music and a great selection of gourmet Texas cuisine at Hondo's on Main! Tonight Gary Claxton!
Classic Country, esp. 60's country. Rock and Roll. I like it. Gospel, blues, punk, classical. All kinds of music really. Gary has been singing in clubs in California, Nashville, and Texas for the past 20 years. He's been fortunate to have been in some good bands. Since moving to Austin he's played with Heybale at the Continental Club every Sunday nite for the past eight years. In case you don't know about the band it includes guitar master Redd Volkaert(Merle Haggard) and piano man/ cosmic cowboy Earl Poole Ball(Johnny Cash Band). I consider myself the luckiest vocalist in Austin to have logged in so many hours of musical enjoyment with these guys. There are fleeting moments at each show when I close my eyes and believe we are playing the best country music on the planet.