Free family fun meets Texas history as H-E-B Free First Sunday returns to the Bullock Texas State History Museum with a special focus on one of the state’s most important resources: water.

On Sunday, Sept. 6, families can enjoy free admission to the museum all day, along with hands-on activities designed to help visitors of all ages learn more about Texas waterways, conservation and the role water plays in everyday life.

“The first Sunday of every month, H-E-B sponsors Free First Sunday at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which gives us free admission to anyone all day, from 10 to 5,” Johnson said. “And then we have activities for families from 10 to 2.”

“The first Sunday of every month, H-E-B sponsors Free First Sunday at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which gives us free admission to anyone all day, from 10 to 5,” Johnson said. “And then we have activities for families from 10 to 2.”

Kristin Johnson with the Bullock Museum and Adrienne Longenecker with the Colorado River Alliance joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share what families can expect.

{p}Kristin Johnson with the Bullock Museum and Adrienne Longenecker with the Colorado River Alliance joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share what families can expect.{/p}

Kristin Johnson with the Bullock Museum and Adrienne Longenecker with the Colorado River Alliance joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share what families can expect.

“The first Sunday of every month, H-E-B sponsors Free First Sunday at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which gives us free admission to anyone all day, from 10 to 5,” Johnson said. “And then we have activities for families from 10 to 2.”

Each month features a different theme and community partners, and September is all about water.

{p}Kristin Johnson with the Bullock Museum and Adrienne Longenecker with the Colorado River Alliance joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share what families can expect and how the event can inspire Texans of all ages to become better stewards of the state's rivers and waterways.{/p}

Kristin Johnson with the Bullock Museum and Adrienne Longenecker with the Colorado River Alliance joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share what families can expect and how the event can inspire Texans of all ages to become better stewards of the state’s rivers and waterways.

Austin Water will help families learn what should — and should not — go down sinks and toilets, while Girlstart will bring hands-on STEAM activities for kids. Austin Public Library’s Art Smart program will also offer water-themed storytime and crafts.

Visitors can also learn from the Colorado River Alliance and geologists with the Bureau of Economic Geology about groundwater systems and the connections between the water Texans drink, swim in and enjoy recreationally.

“It’s all connected,” Johnson said, adding that the activities will help families understand “how we can preserve it.”

Visitors can also learn from the Colorado River Alliance and geologists with the Bureau of Economic Geology about groundwater systems and the connections between the water Texans drink, swim in and enjoy recreationally.

Visitors can also learn from the Colorado River Alliance and geologists with the Bureau of Economic Geology about groundwater systems and the connections between the water Texans drink, swim in and enjoy recreationally.

The day’s programming continues at 2 p.m. with a special screening of “The Neches River: Wild Heart of East Texas.”

The film explores the Neches River and its significance to East Texas, highlighting the relationship between waterways, people and the surrounding environment. Johnson said the director and filmmakers will also be in attendance.

The day's activities also offer families a chance to learn more about the Colorado River Alliance and its work to protect the river system Central Texans rely on every day.

The day’s activities also offer families a chance to learn more about the Colorado River Alliance and its work to protect the river system Central Texans rely on every day.

“People have a story. A river has a story too,” Johnson said. “People throughout time have gathered around waterways,” making them an important part of both Texas life and its ecological systems.

Free tickets are required for the screening, and Johnson encouraged families to reserve theirs ahead of time as availability is limited.

“People have a story. A river has a story too,” Johnson said. “People throughout time have gathered around waterways,” making them an important part of both Texas life and its ecological systems.

“People have a story. A river has a story too,” Johnson said. “People throughout time have gathered around waterways,” making them an important part of both Texas life and its ecological systems.

The day’s activities also offer families a chance to learn more about the Colorado River Alliance and its work to protect the river system Central Texans rely on every day.

“Our mission is to champion the long-term vitality of the Colorado River,” Longenecker said.

While Central Texans may know portions of the system as Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake or Lake Travis, Longenecker explained that they are all part of one interconnected river system.

The Colorado River Alliance uses youth education and community engagement to help people connect with the source of their drinking water and understand just how important the river is to life in Central Texas.

The film explores the Neches River and its significance to East Texas, highlighting the relationship between waterways, people and the surrounding environment. Johnson said the director and filmmakers will also be in attendance.

The film explores the Neches River and its significance to East Texas, highlighting the relationship between waterways, people and the surrounding environment. Johnson said the director and filmmakers will also be in attendance.

“So many of us connect with our waterway as a recreational element and our city’s quality of life,” Longenecker said. “We love playing on her and jumping into her and SUPing on her. And then we also need to remember that we have a part in playing in her long-term conservation.”

The river isn’t only a place for recreation. Longenecker pointed out that it supplies drinking water while also providing water used in hospitals and to fight fires.

“She’s crucial to our fun, wonderful way of life — and just staying alive,” Longenecker said.

Austin Water will help families learn what should — and should not — go down sinks and toilets, while Girlstart will bring hands-on STEAM activities for kids. Austin Public Library's Art Smart program will also offer water-themed storytime and crafts.

Austin Water will help families learn what should — and should not — go down sinks and toilets, while Girlstart will bring hands-on STEAM activities for kids. Austin Public Library’s Art Smart program will also offer water-themed storytime and crafts.

Families don’t have to make drastic changes to become better stewards of that resource. Longenecker recommends starting with simple habits at home, including turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and taking shorter showers.

One way to make conservation fun for kids is to turn shower time into a challenge by playing a song and trying to finish before the music ends.

Each month features a different theme and community partners, and September is all about water.

Each month features a different theme and community partners, and September is all about water.

“Those are just little activities that we each can do that really have a huge impact when they all come together,” Longenecker said.

At the Bullock, kids will also get a chance to explore groundwater models and learn how their own actions can affect the waterways around them.

“We all live in a watershed,” Longenecker said. “Remember, if it goes on the ground, it’s going to end up in the river.”

The day's activities also offer families a chance to learn more about the Colorado River Alliance and its work to protect the river system Central Texans rely on every day.

The day’s activities also offer families a chance to learn more about the Colorado River Alliance and its work to protect the river system Central Texans rely on every day.

H-E-B Free First Sunday takes place Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special family activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The Neches River: Wild Heart of East Texas” screening begins at 2 p.m. Free tickets are required.

For more information about H-E-B Free First Sunday, visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum online. To learn more about water conservation and the Colorado River Alliance, visit ColoradoRiver.org.

For more information about H-E-B Free First Sunday, visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum online. To learn more about water conservation and the Colorado River Alliance, visit ColoradoRiver.org.

For more information about H-E-B Free First Sunday, visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum online. To learn more about water conservation and the Colorado River Alliance, visit ColoradoRiver.org.