Houston Museum District facts for kids
The Houston Museum District is a special area in Houston, Texas, home to 21 amazing places like museums, cultural centers, and community groups. These organizations work together to share art, science, history, and culture with everyone.
This district welcomes about 7 million visitors each year! Many of the museums offer free entry on certain days or times, and 11 of them are completely free all the time. Thursdays are especially popular because several museums have free hours. For example, the Children's Museum of Houston is free after 5 p.m., The Health Museum is free from 2–7 p.m., and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is free from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers free entry on Tuesdays between 5-8 p.m.
It's easy to explore the Houston Museum District on foot or by bike. The sidewalks are wide and well-kept, and you'll find attractions and restaurants close to each other.
The district is located near Hermann Park and is easy to reach by car using major roads like U.S. Route 59 and Texas State Highway 288. You can also get there by METRORail, with four stops serving the area, including one named "Museum District."
The idea for the Museum District started in 1977 when people wanted to make it easier to visit the museums. This led to the creation of the Museum District Development Association of Houston (MDDAH). The City of Houston officially recognized the Museum District in 1989. Today, the Houston Museum District Association continues to manage and promote this wonderful area.
The Museum District brings together visitors, students, and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. It's a place to learn about and celebrate art, history, culture, and nature from all over the world.
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Discovering Houston's Museum District
The Houston Museum District is a vibrant area dedicated to learning and fun. It offers a wide range of experiences for everyone.
How the Museum District Started
In the late 1970s, the area where the Museum District now stands needed a lot of improvement. Roads were in poor condition, and it wasn't very safe for people to walk or bike.
A community leader named Alexandra R. Marshall had a great idea in 1977. She wanted to create a pedestrian-friendly district. Her vision was to have the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston as the central point. This was a very forward-thinking idea for Houston, a city known for its reliance on cars.
The Museum District Development Association of Houston (MDDAH) proposed a plan to make the area more beautiful and easier to walk through. They wanted to create a lively urban space, similar to famous districts in other cities like the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Since its beginning, organizations in the Houston Museum District have worked hard. They've improved the community, planted trees, built sidewalks, and made public transportation better. They also support police services and host many cultural events.
Key Moments in History
- 1977: The idea for a museum district was first discussed.
- 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).
- September 1989: The Museum District received an award for its improvement program.
- September 1989: Business leaders and museum directors signed an agreement to support an official Museum District.
- October 18, 1989: The City of Houston officially named the area along Montrose Boulevard as the Museum District.
- 1997: Eleven museums came together to form the Houston Museum District Association, which still runs the district today.
Founding Leaders
Many people helped create the Museum District. Some of the first directors included Alexandra Marshall, Ora Harrison, and Lyn Mathre.
Important museum directors at the time also supported the effort. These included Peter Marzio from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Truett Latimer from the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Civic leaders from various community groups also played a big part in making the Museum District a reality.
Museums and Attractions Today
The Houston Museum District is home to a diverse group of institutions. Here are some of the current members:
- 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
- Inprint
- The Jung Center Of Houston
- Lawndale Art Center
- The Menil Collection
- Miller Outdoor Theatre
- 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
Getting Around and Parking
The Museum District is easy to get to by car or public transport. You can take the METRORail to the Museum District or Rice University stops.
Parking can be busy, especially on Thursdays, weekends, or during school holidays. There are free parking options available. You can park for free at the lot next to the McGovern Centennial Gardens on Hermann Drive. Parking across from the Law Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is also free. The zoo and the lot near the Rice University Light Rail Station also offer free parking (with a 3-hour limit). You can also find paid parking along Hermann Drive or in various garages.
Learning in the District
The Museum District is also a great place for education, with several schools and libraries nearby.
Schools in the Area
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) operates public schools that serve the Museum District.
- Elementary schools include MacGregor and Poe.
- Middle schools include Cullen and Lanier.
- Lamar High School serves students in the Museum District area.
There are also private schools in the district. Presbyterian School is located here. The Post Oak School High School, a private Montessori school, opened in 2012.
Public Libraries
The Houston Public Library has the Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research, in the Museum District. This library specializes in family history research. It moved to its current location in 1968 and has a beautiful building designed to match the historic William Clayton Home. There is also a branch of the Houston Public Library inside the Children's Museum of Houston.
Places of Worship
Several churches are located within the Museum District, including 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
