Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site A property of the Texas Historical Commission. Real Places Telling Real Stories. Please pay admission at the Visitors Center upon arrival.

Last admission sold at 4:30 p.m. Admission fees are required to access all indoor and outdoor public areas. ADMISSION: Adults $10 | Adults 65+ $8 | Youth 6-17 $5 | 5 and younger Free | Active-Duty Military (including spouse and children) Free | Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. | See our website for information about group tours.

"Slowly, one step at a time, her skirts rustling as she moved, she came down the steps, while Musetta stood there unable...
09/28/2026

"Slowly, one step at a time, her skirts rustling as she moved, she came down the steps, while Musetta stood there unable to move, frozen with fear. Somehow the little girl knew that the woman meant to embrace her and she knew how those arms would feel, cold as death, and she shuddered at the thought of their touch." (Excerpt from Catherine Munson Foster's Ghosts Along the Brazos, illustration by Ruth Munson)

Come join us at the Varner-Hogg Plantation for our annual Ghosts Along the Brazos event on October 24 from 5 pm to 9 pm. There will be storytellers, hayrides, games, and more!

Ima Hogg and her brothers came down to what they referred to as "The Varner" mainly for holidays and trips. It was time ...
09/26/2026

Ima Hogg and her brothers came down to what they referred to as "The Varner" mainly for holidays and trips. It was time spent riding horses, hunting, and fishing. While the Hoggs were not necessarily Cowboys, they employed several to maintain the cattle ranching operations on the property. The Hoggs amassed a collection of art that they donated to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, with many pieces focusing on Cowboys and frontier life. Including the statue below, titled "The Broncho Buster" by accomplished artist Frederic Re*****on.

Next week we will explore Brazoria County's cowboy heritage through hands-on activities and games for the entire family. There will be food trucks, live music, a petting zoo and more to enjoy! Cowboy Day is on Saturday, October 3rd from 12pm to 5pm. Admission is $5 per person. Children under the age of 5 are free.

Image Courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Come join us at the Varner-Hogg Plantation on December 12 from 4 pm to 8 pm for our annual Candlelight Christmas event. ...
09/26/2026

Come join us at the Varner-Hogg Plantation on December 12 from 4 pm to 8 pm for our annual Candlelight Christmas event. You will get to learn about how Christmas was celebrated in the past by both the enslaved people of Patton Plantation and the Hogg family in the 20th century.

Entry is based on donation. We hope to see you there!

Is anyone missing a puppy? This little girl showed up on site this afternoon. Please contact us if she’s yours.
09/24/2026

Is anyone missing a puppy? This little girl showed up on site this afternoon. Please contact us if she’s yours.

A common association with the Cowboy, is STYLE. Western wear was inspired by the practical accessories of the cowboy, a...
09/24/2026

A common association with the Cowboy, is STYLE. Western wear was inspired by the practical accessories of the cowboy, and has changed into an iconic representation of American culture. Hats were used to prevent sunburns on hundreds of miles of trails. Bandanas kept necks cool and could cover your face when the dust of several hundred heads of cattle walked in front of you. Rodeos, Western movies, and Country music added an element of glamour. Events like rodeos and trail rides have encouraged Texans to step out in their best for generations! Cowboy Day at Varner-Hogg Plantation is no different. On October 3rd from 12pm until 5pm, come out and learn about Brazoria County's Cowboy heritage through games and hands-on activities. There will be roping demonstrations, a petting zoo, food trucks, live music, and more!

Enjoy this photo by Franco Fontana, taken in 1985 in Houston, Texas.
Image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

"At that hour, on May 7, 1970, a young woman sleeping in the house was awakened by what sounded like the voices and laug...
09/20/2026

"At that hour, on May 7, 1970, a young woman sleeping in the house was awakened by what sounded like the voices and laughter of children at play somewhere outside. Thinking she must be dreaming, she listened for a moment and then, fully awake and alarmed at small children being out at such an hour, she roused her husband and asked him to investigate..."
(Excerpt from Ghosts Along the Brazos by Catherine Munson Foster, illustration by Ruth Munson)

Come join us at the Varner-Hogg Plantation on October 24 from 5 pm to 9 pm for our annual Ghosts Along the Brazos event. There will be story tellers, games, hayrides, candy, food trucks, and more!

Bring the whole family out on Saturday, October 3rd for our first annual Cowboy Day! From 12pm until 5pm we will be cel...
09/19/2026

Bring the whole family out on Saturday, October 3rd for our first annual Cowboy Day! From 12pm until 5pm we will be celebrating Brazoria County's Cowboy Heritage. Come on out to learn about the likes of Hal Fields, The Bailey's Prairie Kid, Ramone "Money" Jackson, Bill Pickett, Nat Love while getting your own hands on cowboy experience! Admission is $5 per person and children under 5 get in for free!

Pictured is Cowman and Site Caretaker Hal Fields and his horse Buster on site in the 1950s.

Our site educators are out today until 4 at the Fort Velasco Timeline fence near the Surfside Jetty! Stop by for some hi...
09/19/2026

Our site educators are out today until 4 at the Fort Velasco Timeline fence near the Surfside Jetty!

Stop by for some historical activities, grab a bite at the food trucks, and stay for some live music!

Coming up this Friday, September 18th at 3pm, learn about cowboys and cowboy life from educator Frank Sharp from The Off...
09/16/2026

Coming up this Friday, September 18th at 3pm, learn about cowboys and cowboy life from educator Frank Sharp from The Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd!

In the early 20th century, many cowboys lived and worked at the Varner-Hogg Plantation Site. Swipe to see a photo of these cowboys in action on-site! In this presentation we will learn more about the typical life of a cowboy and discover the importance of longhorns!

Learn more at https://thc.texas.gov/events/cowboy-cowboy-life

Put on your boots, jeans and saddle up for a celebration of Brazoria County’s rich cowboy heritage. This event features ...
09/15/2026

Put on your boots, jeans and saddle up for a celebration of Brazoria County’s rich cowboy heritage. This event features games for all ages, food trucks, cowboy demonstrations, livestock, live music, and more!

Admission for the event is $5, while children under $5 get free entry!
The back gate to Columbia Lakes will be open as well. We hope to see you there!

Address

1702 N 13th Street
West Columbia, TX
77486

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(979) 345-4656

Website

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