Gonzales Memorial Museum

This is the location of the infamous "Come and Take It" canon. It also houses clothing from people of the time, soldiers, and other items from the Great Scrape. This museum has two wings. One is the area to pay and has the cannon and the other is the local history area with several cabinet displays. That's about all there is to this museum. There is an amphitheater behind it which is made of pretty cool stone.

We travel all over our beautiful state of Texas teaching our boys the history. This is our favorite little museum!

This was a great stop. It had the original COME AND TAKE IT cannon. As well as some other cool memobrilla such as guns, medals, uniforms, and papers like Stephen F Austin land owner deeds and sale receipts for African Americans.They had a list of aliens which seems like yet another lesson we never learned. They had typewriters, cash machines, old audio recorders and record players. It had so much unique and interesting things. A list of where the cannon had come from, where it had been, and its place in Texas history and independence.This was so full of info and had some cool gifts, a machine that makes a penny metal image. Coffee cups, iron on patches, tattoos, and other things. The credit card machine was down and only the local bank had an ATM.Out front is a marker, several really to the "32" who went to the Alamo to defend it and died doing so. It had a reflecting pool with a stone marker at the head and benches to sit and reflect.This was not as hard hitting as the Fannin memorial but still very touching. You should check this place out. It is small but full of so many items I can't start to list them all.

Listen, I'm a huge history buff; I love everything about American and Texas history. So, when I found out the ORIGINAL "Come and Take it" cannon was in Gonzales, of course I had to go see it! Honestly, the only thing I knew about this little museum was what I saw online before visiting. I walked away disappointed.Online, and even on the brochure, they show this beautiful building behind a crisp, blue reflecting pool, flags waiving, etc. What I experienced was a gross, algae green colored water in front of a building that could really use some work. I hope the "Renovation in progress" sign is accurate, because this building needs some TLC.Inside, aside from the prominently displayed cannon, was more of a history (and collected artifacts/belongings) of the prominent families of the area. I found little about the history of the struggle over the cannon itself. Additionally, this museum quickly becomes a general "war museum" - displaying guns, uniforms, other artifacts etc. from the different wars fought by the United States.If you were to go to the "other side" of the museum, you'd find a room full of historical artifacts/antiques.I was disappointed mainly because I figured a museum featuring the original "Come and Take It" cannon would be more focused on the fight for Texas Independence than the history of the Gonzales area generally.It is worth it (for a history buff) to go see the cannon, but I sure felt sorry and disappointed for this little museum.

Found this gem mentioned in a Texas highway article and am so glad we detoured to visit. Keep in mind the hours have changed due to Covid BUT highly recommend visiting for a Texas history refresher. We loved it. They run on donations and also have small area for souvenirs but only exact cash is accepted

Beautiful historical building with lots of stories! Take your time looking thru the past and enjoying the exhibits. Great stop to explain the area's history. A lot to take in but highly worth the time.

One of the best little museums in Texas. This is where you can see the ACTUAL cannon (not the fake in the Bullord Museum in Austin) that inspired the Texas "COME AND TAKE IT" flag and resulted in the Battle of Gonzales. If you are into history, you need to consider a stop at this museum. The curator, Oliver, is a very knowledgeable person and made the whole trip to the museum worth while. Sure, there is plenty to look at, but Oliver's information brought the place to life. The cannon, as does the area, has a fascinating history. A short drive from the museum is the actual site of the Battle of Gonzales. A monument marks the location of the first shot of the Texas Revolution, fired at the Battle of Gonzales. Oliver can provide a map to find it.PS. This is my second review from a recent trip to San Antonio. Since I'm going to do the "Best of" first, I'm going to let them sit at the top, solo or in twos, for a while... So if you want SA ideas, be sure to keep an eye on my upcoming reviews.

Nice little museum with the 'Come and take it' cannon on display. There is of course a lot history about Gonzales and the cannon, but also artifacts from WWI and WWII. I liked seeing the display of the surgeons amputation kit and other instruments. There is also a 10,000 year old Mammoth tusk and tooth on display. The admission is free and they sale gifts like t-shirts ($20) and bracelets and such. I would definitely recommend stopping here.

The cannon, yes, THE actual "Come and Take It" cannon..if you love Texas history, and why wouldn't you, this is a must see! It's small, but free but the guide is very informative and you can get up close and personal to the cannon. We stopped on the way back from a day trip to San Antonio, and after a trip there, was really feeling the Texas history love. Even more so than usual, as I am a huge history buff!It was pretty easy to find, although we did have to ask, as there wasn't a lot of signs. I assumed there would be huge signs pointing the way I guess? But ask anyone, and they will tell you. It's a small museum, and one side is interesting artifacts and a replica cannon...which is cool to see and you think, oh my gosh is this it? Nope, go to the other side, that's the real cannon.And when you see it, you will get goose bumps to be so close to history. To be so close to the cannon that was a part of the first battle of the Texas Revolution. Wow. Really, there are no words except pride. The reflecting pool was operating and the flags were flying, so maybe they were just cleaning things up when the other reviewers were here? Yes, it's a small site, and a small cannon, but damn, the pride felt in the Texas history that surrounds it is mighty!

Quick little museum full of history. I enjoyed seeing the items from the Texas revolution along with world war 1 and 2. I was just passing through town and and I'm glad I stopped by, spent about 45 mins in there. It was interesting to read the story on the cannon and how they authenticated it.