How to Tour the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum in Austin, Texas

This museum features more than three centuries of Texas history, presented in exciting exhibits.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. First Floor. The first thing a visitor notices upon entering the three-story rotunda of the museum is the mosaic of amorphous, multi-colored blobs on the floor. Only after ascending to the upper levels and looking over the balcony railing will he see the the mosaic depicts an overhead view of Texans from all periods of history, sitting around a campfire and swapping stories. The exhibits on this floor range from the period when European explorers first encountered the native population of Texas through the period of colonization and western expansion. Also located on this floor are a large gift and book shop, classrooms, a large special exhibit hall and the entrance to an IMAX theater.
2. Second Floor. The exhibits here cover over 150 years, from the pre-revolutionary period, through the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, Statehood, the Civil War, the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the Texas Centennial celebration of 1936. Other facilities on this floor include a café, the auditorium of the IMAX theater and the Texas Spirit Theater, which shows a fifteen-minute interactive presentation on Texas.
3. Third Floor. This floor examines Texas ranching, the petroleum industry, the space program, music, sports and the state's major cities.

Tips & Warnings

• The museum was named in honor of Bob Bullock, a former Lieutenant-Governor of Texas and enthusiast in Texas history, who spearheaded the museum's development and construction.
• The Texas State Capitol is a few blocks south of the museum and the Blanton Museum of Art is one block to the north.
• Set aside at least four hours to see the museum properly; longer if there is heavy attendance.