Discover Guadalupe: Pecan History and Culture

The Pecan Museum of Texas tells the story of Texas’s state tree and the families who grew it. Agriculture, architectural history, and the development of Seguin and Guadalupe County offer more topics to explore on your trip. Pecans also feature in descriptions of attractions and recurring events.

Pecans and Agriculture

A visit to the Pecan Museum of Texas is included in field trips and scheduled tours; no separate admission ticket is required. The Texas Agricultural Education & Heritage Center is in Seguin, in Guadalupe County. Its field trips offer a hands-on day of learning about where food comes from. Heritage Village is included in every field trip and group tour. It includes seven restored attractions; five of Seguin’s earliest buildings are Los Nogales, the Dietz Doll House, Texas’ Oldest Protestant Church, the Campbell-Hoerman Log Cabin, and the Calaboose.

Another tribute to pecans stands on Seguin’s former courthouse grounds: the Original World’s Largest Pecan statue celebrates Guadalupe County’s extensive pecan harvests. It gives the region’s connection to pecans a tangible form, while the museum tells the story of Texas’s state tree and the families who grew it.

Buildings and Memorial Sites

Sebastopol is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1856 by enslaved skilled workers. It is among the best-preserved examples of 19th-century limecrete construction in America and an important surviving example of early concrete technology in the southwestern United States. Sebastopol is designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. On a tour of Sebastopol House, visitors learn more about its construction and the Wilson Pottery on display there.

The Heritage Museum displays Indigenous artifacts and photographic records from the past. Its exhibits also explore the multiethnic heritage and contributions of Seguin and Guadalupe County; tours of the exhibits are available. The Wilson Pottery Museum displays historic pottery, rare artifacts, and memorabilia from one of the first businesses in Texas operated by formerly enslaved people.

The Seguin Fire Department Museum preserves more than 100 years of firefighting history. Its original historic fire engines include pumpers from 1916 and 1922. San Geronimo Cemetery also tells the story of Guadalupe County’s past: it is one of the county’s oldest cemeteries and includes the graves of early founders and settlers, as well as veterans. The site is designated a Historic Texas Cemetery.

Annual Events

The Pecan Fest is one of Seguin’s recurring events and celebrates the city’s deep-rooted pecan history. Dates and programs vary from year to year. The Guadalupe County Fair & Rodeo takes place annually during the second week of October; exact dates vary. It includes a barbecue competition. The 2026 program also lists Mutton Bustin’ events for young riders ages 3 to 10. Event details may change; check the information for the specific edition before making plans.

River Landscapes and Trip Planning

Max Starcke Park is a 227-acre park on the Guadalupe River. At Walnut Springs Park, cold, clear springs feed the Walnut Branch of the Guadalupe River. For paddlers, the Lake Seguin Paddling Trail is another option: it is four miles long and designed for beginners or inexperienced paddlers.

Seguin is accessible by car and plane. The city is 45 miles from San Antonio International Airport and 58 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Alamo Regional Transit offers same-day ride service in Seguin, which can be requested through a mobile app. Availability and operating hours may change; check before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Schertz, Kingsbury, Seguin, Aransas County, Clay, Brooks County, Duval County, and Lavaca.

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