Bullock Texas State History Museum facts for kids
 |
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | 1800 N. Congress Avenue Austin, Texas |
| Type | History museum |
| Owner | Texas State Preservation Board |
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a cool place in Austin, Texas. It's often called the Bullock Museum for short. This museum is all about telling the amazing "Story of Texas" to everyone. It's located near the Texas State Capitol building. The museum helps people learn about Texas history through fun and educational experiences. The Texas State Preservation Board runs the museum. This board also takes care of other important Texas places, like the State Capitol and the Texas Governor's Mansion.
Contents
History of the Bullock Museum
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is named after a very important person, Bob Bullock. He was the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Bob Bullock really believed in saving and sharing Texas history. He worked hard to make sure this museum would be built. He was even the guest of honor when they started building the museum in April 1999. Sadly, he passed away in June of that year, before the museum was finished. The museum opened its doors in 2001.
What You Can See: Exhibitions
The Bullock Museum has lots of interesting things to see. In 2018, they updated their main Texas History Gallery on the first floor. It's called Becoming Texas.
Exploring Early Texas History
This exhibition takes you on a journey through more than 16,000 years of Texas history! You can see one of the oldest objects ever made by humans in the Americas. It's a special stone tool found about 40 kilometers north of Austin. The exhibit also shows how early American Indian groups lived in the area before Europeans arrived. You'll learn about European countries wanting to settle the land. It also covers how world events shaped early Texas.
The Shipwreck of La Belle
A really special part of the museum is a real ship! It's the entire preserved hull of a French explorer's ship called La Belle. This ship belonged to René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, and it sank in 1686. Along with the ship, you can see thousands of items found from the shipwreck. It's like looking into a time capsule!
Texas Land, Culture, and Technology
The third floor of the museum explores how land, culture, and technology have shaped Texas. You can find sections about:
- Texas ranching and its history.
- The oil industry and its impact.
- Important moments in civil rights.
- Amazing achievements in science and space exploration.
- Fun facts about Texas sports and music.
The museum even has an Austin City Limits Theater. Here, you can watch clips of musical performances from the famous TV show that started in Austin.
Fun Programs and Events
The Bullock Museum always has something exciting happening throughout the year. They host big community events like:
- H-E-B Free First Sunday, where admission is free.
- Austin's celebration of World Refugee Day.
- American Indian Heritage Day.
- Spooktacular, a fun Halloween event.
The museum also has shows, social gatherings, and talks by experts. There are special programs for preschool kids and film screenings. During spring break and summer, they have seasonal family activities. A very popular attraction is the Bullock IMAX and Texas Spirit Theatre. You can watch new movies there, as well as films that connect to the museum's exhibitions.
External links
- Official web site: http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
See also
In Spanish: Museo Bullock de Historia del Estado de Texas para niños
