The Bush Family Home State Historic Site is holding its 1st annual children’s health fair in honor of Robin Bush, George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s daughter who died of leukemia in 1953 while they lived in the home on West Ohio Street. September is Children’s Cancer Awareness Month and the historic site wanted to use the occasion to allow families to get information in a fun event.
Robin’s Children’s Health Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, at the Bush Family Home State Historic Site, located at 1412 W. Ohio Street in Midland. There will be booths under an air-conditioned tent that features clinics and doctors from around Midland and Odessa. Also, children can learn about their health by bringing a doll or teddy bear and learn what a doctor might do at a check-up doctor’s visit. There will be Scooter Dog Food Truck available for food purchase. Self-guided tours of the Bush home will also take place.
Robin Bush was born in Compton, California, on December 20, 1949. Named after Barbara Bush’s mother who had recently died in a car accident, she was described as “quiet and gentle.” After returning to Texas and shortly after her brother, Jeb, was born, she was diagnosed with late stages of leukemia. Despite trying their best to take her to doctors that tried experiential treatments, Robin died on October 11, 1953.
“The Bushes wanted to use Robin as inspiration by naming hospital wings after her,” Site Manager Troy Gray said in a news release. “We want to follow suit and use her as inspiration holding a free, fun and informative event the whole family will enjoy.”
The Bush Family Home joined the Texas Historical Commission in 2023 and is one of 38 sites in the state of Texas. Its normal operating hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; the last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.
