Southpoint.com: Destination GuidesDestinations: US, UK, RVing Travel Guides | VISIT SPONSORS --> Roadside Assistance
Unlimited FREE Admissions to Top USA Attractions - Miami, Maui, Chicago, Orlando +
Reserve tickets now to: Sports | NASCAR | Top Concerts | Theatre
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Texas Guides
  • RVing
  • Reserve Hotel
  • Cool Stuff
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Travel News


See  Texas travel books we recommend to read for your next tripPopular books we recommend on Texas travel

Travel Blog

Texas Guide

Take a cruise departing from Galveston

Feature Destinations
Bear
Bear Creek Retreat
Manchaca, TX
Travel USA Guide - Southpoint.com Destination USA Guide
USA States Guide
Travel UK & London Guide - Southpoint.com Destination UK Guide
UK Guide - London
RV Resorts/Campgrounds
State-by-State Directory

Texas RV Resorts/Campgrounds

Whether RVing or camping, check out our RV resort directories

Interested in your resort or campground being listed?
Feature Attractions - Southpoint.com
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin, Texas

The 33 foot tall Texas bronze star greets visitors in front of the Texas State History Museum

Telling the Story of the State Texas Style
by Carl Burnham

Everything's big in Texas, including the state's rich heritage. Located just up the street from the state capitol, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum details the many events that have formed the history of the state. Covering three floors, the exhibits progress from the early beginnings to the modern space age, with over 700 artifacts on display.

Bob Bullock devoted 40 years to working for the state as Comptroller and as Lt. Governor. Through his efforts the history museum came into being. Some of his private collection of memorabilia are on display (such as items used in the Lonesome Dove series). When first walking into the rotunda of the Museum be sure to take note of the circular artwork and campfire scene (best appreciated by viewing from above). For a snapshot giving the highlights of the historic events that have shaped Texas, be sure to watch The Star of Destiny in the Spirit Theatre.

Karankawa canoe on display on the first floor
Karankawa Canoe

Native Americans were the first settlers of Texas, and are chronicled on the first floor as well as the early history of Texas before it became a Republic. Shipwrecked at Matagorda Bay in 1685, the
remains of the French La Belle ship remained a mystery until discovered by archaeologists in 1995. A flagship of the French explorer Robert de La Salle, it is regarded as one of the great finds of the century. Several artifacts from the shipwreck are on display, with official title to the artifacts belonging to France.

Replica of the Alamo
Alamo Exhibit

The second floor chronicles the struggles of pioneers as they rallyed into a ragtag army to fight against Santa Anna's overwhelming Mexican forces. Before heading to the Alamo, Davy Crockett is reported to have said, "You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas."

The Alamo exhibit details the event through realistic displays and film and how it eventually led to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto River by Sam Houston's army as they captured Santa Anna and his forces.

The third level focuses on the various industries that have propelled the state into a leadership role, including ranching, the oil industry, and aviation.
Neat old signs and gas pumps are on display chronicling local companies that blazed a trail in oil discoveries such as Humble, Esso, Magnolia, and Gulf.
When visiting Dallas, look for the trademark glowing red Pegasus flying horse overhead made famous by Magnolia Petroleum that sits atop the Magnolia Hotel in Dallas. We walked through a special exhibit on Texas Aviation which including a Fighting Corsairs plane. The Corsair was the Navy's first 400 mph fighter plane bringing down Japanese planes in record numbers during WWII. With folded wings, Corsairs were able to be transported easily on U.S. warships. These planes were made in Dallas, with P-51 and AT-6 planes also built near there in Grand Prairie. During the height of WWII, there were 63 military bases and airfields in Texas. The Texas Aviation exhibit also included a history of local airlines, notable astronauts, and NASA's involvement in the state.


IMAX Theatre, the only one in Austin
IMAX Theatre

The innovative IMAX Theatre is a truely visual experience, with 2-D and 3-D viewing capability, and seating for 400. The Cafe Museum is open daily, serving salads, sandwiches, burgers, and of course Texas made Blue Bell ice cream. Visit the museum store for plenty of Texas themed items to take home, including shirts, books, replicas of vintage flags, revolvers, and even replicas of Texas Republic money. Check their website also for upcoming special events, films, and live entertainment.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum iconusa Map
1800 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78711

Austin Hotels

comments powered by Disqus
 
History Museum in Focus

Interactive display at the recent Texas Aviation exhibit

Numerous exhibits throughout the museum are interactive, providing young and old a learning experience as history comes alive.

Towering neon Texas sign at the history museum
1930 Movie Theatre Neon Sign
As you enter the main exhibit area on the lower level, a neon sign towers overhead. This original neon sign beckoned movie-goers for many years at the Motion Picture Theatre in Sherman. Howard Hughes owned the theatre as part of a chain of movie houses into the 1970's. Several movies are shown in the exhibit on the upper level, including ones featuring Tex Ritter and Tom Mix. A replica of the liberty lady that sits atop the Texas State Capitol stands nearby to the Texas neon sign.

Plan to spend several hours walking through the many exhibits, view the exhibit films, and also take in a larger than life movie experience at the IMAX theatre.

Local Weather & Directions
Austin Weather Forecast, TX
View map to the
History Museum




Home | Our Blog | Texas Guides | RVing | Reserve Hotel | Cool Stuff | Advertise | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright 2021 Southpoint.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited.