The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Museum opened in Austin in April 2001, with a formal dedication by President George W. Bush. The Museum was authorized in 1997 by the 75th Texas Legislature with $80 million in bond revenue appropriated to pay for the Museum’s construction, which began in November 1998. The State Preservation Board was designated by the Texas Legislature to manage the design, construction and governance of the Museum.
Since its opening in 2001, the Museum has shared the story of Texas with more than 5 million visitors, including more than 1.5 million schoolchildren Visitors come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and over 17 countries, representing a variety of ethnic groups (65% Caucasian, 19% Hispanic, 5% African-American, 6% Asian-American, and 5% other).
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s state-of-the-art interactive exhibits trace the history of Texas from before European exploration to the present. Within this context, the Museum focuses on the people who made Texas what it is today, exploring the qualities of famous and relatively unknown people who exemplify the spirit of Texas through their leadership, independence, and “can do” attitudes. The exhibits also address the history of the agricultural, industrial, technological, and scientific activities that make Texas unique.
In addition to the exhibits, the Museum provides a comprehensive series of public programming, including family and youth programs, outreach programs, distance learning, school and educator programs, and adult programs. For families and youth, these programs range from summer camps to literacy programs and family workshops. Outreach programs target many of the traditionally undeserved populations including low-income families, immigrant communities, and English language learners. Adult programs provide an opportunity for adults in the community to engage in meaningful educational activities that foster a better understanding of our rapidly changing world. Distance learning programs at the Museum allow teachers and K–12 students across the state of Texas and beyond to explore history in an exciting new way through live, interactive, two-way video conferencing, without ever leaving the walls of their classroom. Through its educator programs, the Museum provides professional development for educators and pre-service educators so that they can learn how to use the Museum exhibits to teach math, science, art and social studies.
The Museum is the only comprehensive museum of Texas history in the state, and it is unlike any other history museum in the country. The Texas State History Museum Foundation provides funding for the Museum in order that it may continue as a state-of-the-art educational and historical institution.
Texas State History Museum Foundation, info@tshmf.org, 512.320.8204
P.O. Box 12456, Austin, TX 78711
Since its opening in 2001, the Museum has shared the story of Texas with more than 5 million visitors, including more than 1.5 million schoolchildren Visitors come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and over 17 countries, representing a variety of ethnic groups (65% Caucasian, 19% Hispanic, 5% African-American, 6% Asian-American, and 5% other).
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s state-of-the-art interactive exhibits trace the history of Texas from before European exploration to the present. Within this context, the Museum focuses on the people who made Texas what it is today, exploring the qualities of famous and relatively unknown people who exemplify the spirit of Texas through their leadership, independence, and “can do” attitudes. The exhibits also address the history of the agricultural, industrial, technological, and scientific activities that make Texas unique.
In addition to the exhibits, the Museum provides a comprehensive series of public programming, including family and youth programs, outreach programs, distance learning, school and educator programs, and adult programs. For families and youth, these programs range from summer camps to literacy programs and family workshops. Outreach programs target many of the traditionally undeserved populations including low-income families, immigrant communities, and English language learners. Adult programs provide an opportunity for adults in the community to engage in meaningful educational activities that foster a better understanding of our rapidly changing world. Distance learning programs at the Museum allow teachers and K–12 students across the state of Texas and beyond to explore history in an exciting new way through live, interactive, two-way video conferencing, without ever leaving the walls of their classroom. Through its educator programs, the Museum provides professional development for educators and pre-service educators so that they can learn how to use the Museum exhibits to teach math, science, art and social studies.
The Museum is the only comprehensive museum of Texas history in the state, and it is unlike any other history museum in the country. The Texas State History Museum Foundation provides funding for the Museum in order that it may continue as a state-of-the-art educational and historical institution.
Texas State History Museum Foundation, info@tshmf.org, 512.320.8204
P.O. Box 12456, Austin, TX 78711