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Bullock Texas State History Museum
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Established 2001
Location 1800 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
Type Texas history
Owner Texas State Preservation Board Laufe auf Shox

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is an exciting place in Austin, Texas, where you can explore the amazing story of Texas! It's often called the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum or simply the Bullock Museum. This museum is located just a few blocks north of the Texas State Capitol building. Its main goal is to share the history of Texas with as many people as possible through fun and educational experiences. The museum is managed by the Texas State Preservation Board, which also looks after other important Texas sites like the State Capitol.

History of the Museum

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is named after Bob Bullock. He was the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Bob Bullock was very passionate about saving and showing off Texas history. He worked hard to make sure this museum would be built. He was even the special guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum in April 1999. Sadly, he passed away in June of that same year, before the museum was finished.

Museum Exhibitions

The Bullock Museum has many cool exhibits that tell the story of Texas. In 2018, the museum updated its main Texas History Gallery on the first floor. It's now called Becoming Texas.

Becoming Texas Gallery

This exhibition explores more than 16,000 years of Texas history. You can see one of the oldest objects ever made by humans in the Americas here. It's a special stone tool found at the Gault archaeological site, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Austin. The exhibit also shows how early American Indian groups lived before Europeans arrived. It explains how European countries wanted to claim the land. You can also learn about the global politics that shaped early Texas.

Third Floor Exhibits

The third floor of the museum explores land, culture, and technology in Texas. This floor has sections about Texas ranching and the oil industry. You can also learn about civil rights, science, and space exploration in Texas. Plus, there are fun parts about Texas sports and music!

Austin City Limits Theater

The museum has an Austin City Limits Theater. Here, you can watch clips of musical performances. These clips are from the famous PBS television show, Austin City Limits, which is filmed in Austin.

Programs and Events

The Bullock Museum offers many programs and events throughout the year. There are big community events that everyone can enjoy. These include H-E-B Free First Sunday, Austin's celebration of World Refugee Day, American Indian Heritage Day, and Spooktacular.

Other Activities

The museum also hosts shows and social gatherings. You can attend lectures and discussions. There are even drop-in programs for preschool children. The museum shows films and has seasonal family activities during spring break and summer.

Bullock IMAX and Texas Spirit Theatre

A very popular part of the Bullock Museum is the Bullock IMAX and Texas Spirit Theatre. You can watch current movie releases here. They also show films that go along with the museum's exhibitions.

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