Houston Museum District facts for kids
The Houston Museum District is a special area in Houston, Texas. It's home to 19 different places like museums, art galleries, and cultural centers. These places work together to share amazing things about art, science, history, and different cultures.
Every year, over 8.7 million people visit the museums here! Many of the museums offer free entry on certain days or times. In fact, 11 of the museums are always free. Thursdays are especially popular because many museums have free entry in the afternoon. For example, The Houston Museum of Natural Science is free after 2 p.m., and the Children's Museum of Houston is free after 5 p.m. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is even free all day on Thursdays!
It's easy to walk or bike around the Houston Museum District. The sidewalks are wide and well-kept. Plus, many attractions and restaurants are close to each other.
The district is generally found near Texas State Highway 288, Hermann Park, U.S. Route 59, and the Texas Medical Center. Some people compare it to famous areas like the French Quarter in New Orleans or Georgetown in Washington, D.C..
You can easily get to the Museum District using METRORail. There are four stops, including one named "Museum District." It's also simple to reach by car from major highways like I-69/US 59 and State Highway 288.
The idea for the Museum District started in 1977. People wanted to make it easier to visit the museums in the area. This led to a group called the Museum District Development Association of Houston (MDDAH). In 1989, the City of Houston officially recognized the Museum District. Today, the Houston Museum District Association, started in 1997, helps manage the area.
The Museum District welcomes visitors, students, and volunteers from all backgrounds. It's a great place to learn about art, history, culture, and nature from all over the world.
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History of the Museum District
In the late 1970s, the area that is now the Houston Museum District needed a lot of work. Roads needed fixing, and it wasn't very safe for people walking or biking.
The idea for the Museum District began in 1977. A person named Alexandra R. Marshall wanted to create a friendly area for walkers. She imagined the Museum of Fine Arts as the center of this new district. This was a very forward-thinking idea for Houston, a city known for cars.
The Museum District Development Association of Houston suggested a plan to make the area more beautiful and easier to walk around. They wanted to create an important city area, much like the French Quarter in New Orleans or Georgetown in Washington, D.C..
Since it started, the Museum District groups have worked hard on many projects. These include planting trees, building and improving sidewalks, and making public transportation better. They also help with police support and host various cultural events. Many local groups helped make the Houston Museum District a success.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1977: The idea for the Museum District was first thought of.
- January 1986: The Montrose Project, an early group, was officially formed.
- July 1986: The Montrose Project changed its name to the Museum District Development Association of Houston (MDDAH).
- May 1988: A fun event called "Raiders of the Lost Art" was held to raise money and tell people about the District.
- September 1989: The Museum District won an award for its improvement program.
- September 1989: Business leaders and museum directors signed an agreement to support the official creation of the Museum District.
- October 18, 1989: The City of Houston officially named the area along Montrose Boulevard as the Museum District.
- 1990: A guide book called The Cultural Guide to Houston was published. It included maps of the Museum District.
- December 1991: The MDDAH helped host a Christmas and Hanukkah event with caroling and a children's parade.
- May 1992: A benefit event called "Savor the Flavors" was held, featuring 23 local restaurants.
- 1994: The MDDAH group was officially closed. Its records were given to another group for future work.
- November 1996: Museum District organizations worked together to publish a brochure promoting the area.
- January 1997: Eleven museums formed a new group, the Houston Museum District Association. More museums joined later.
Founding People and Groups
Many people and organizations helped create the Houston Museum District. Important leaders from museums and local civic groups worked together to make this vision a reality.
Current Museum Members
Today, the Houston Museum District is home to many amazing museums and cultural spots. Here are some of them:
- Asia Society Texas Center
- Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- Children's Museum of Houston
- Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
- Czech Center Museum Houston
- DiverseWorks
- The Health Museum
- Holocaust Museum Houston
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
- Houston Center for Photography
- Houston Museum of African American Culture
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Zoo
- The Jung Center Of Houston
- Lawndale Art Center
- The Menil Collection
- Moody Center for the Arts
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- The Rothko Chapel
Other important places in the district include:
- Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
- Hermann Park
How the Museum District is Funded
When the Museum District first started, it was funded by donations from its members. As more people learned about the District, other sources of money became available.
Today, the museums have a total operating budget of over $80 million. Most of this money comes from ticket sales and private donations. The District also receives funds from the City of Houston and various foundations and companies.
Community Involvement
The Museum District plays a big role in addressing community needs. This includes improving transportation, adding signs, and making the area more beautiful. They also help with flood control and city planning.
The Houston Museum District Association helps the museums in the area work together. This keeps people interested and encourages them to visit the District often.
Leadership
The Houston Museum District Association has leaders who help manage and promote the district. Currently, Laurette Canizares is the executive director, and Gina Miller is the Programming and Public Relations Manager.
Living in the Museum District
The Museum Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) serves homes in the Museum District area. There are many apartments and condos here, and new ones are always being built. A great benefit of living here is being able to walk to places like the Houston Zoo, the Children's Museum of Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Hermann Park.
In 2003, a project called the Museum District Walk Project was started to make the area even more walkable. By 2018, living in condos became a very popular choice in the community.
Parking in the District
Finding parking in the Houston Museum District can sometimes be a bit tricky. This is especially true on Thursdays (due to free museum days), weekends, school holidays, or evenings when there's a popular show at Miller Outdoor Theater.
There's a free parking lot next to the McGovern Centennial Gardens on Hermann Drive. You can also park for free in the lot across from the Law Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The zoo also has parking, and there's a free lot near the Rice University Light Rail Station (with a 3-hour limit). You can also pay to park on certain streets or in parking garages. Another option is to park along the MetroRail Line and take the train to the Rice University or Museum District stops.
Education in the Area
The Museum District is home to several schools and libraries.
Schools in the Museum District
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) runs the public schools in the area.
- Elementary schools include MacGregor and Poe.
- Middle schools include Cullen and Lanier.
- Lamar High School serves students living in the Museum District.
There are also private schools in the area. Presbyterian School is located in the Museum District. The Post Oak School High School, a private Montessori high school, opened in 2012. It was the first high school in the Museum District.
Public Libraries
The Houston Public Library has a special branch in the Museum District called the Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research. This library focuses on family history. It moved to its current location in 1968. A new building was added in 1988, designed to match the original historic home. The library has been renovated to be more modern and energy-efficient. There is also a branch of the Houston Public Library inside the Children's Museum of Houston.
Places of Worship
Several churches are located in the Museum District. These include First Presbyterian Church, St. Mathew's Lutheran Church, and St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
See also
In Spanish: Distrito de Museos (Houston) para niños
- Melissa Chiu
- Houston Alternative Art
