Texas state history now preserved in new museum

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

August 9, 2001 -- Former Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock loved Texas and his vision of a state history museum came to life this past April when the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum celebrated its grand opening. The museum, located in downtown Austin in the Capitol Complex, tells the story of Texas through exhibits, object theaters, films and interactive computer displays.

Prior to presenting the proposal for the museum to the legislature in 1997, Bullock stated, "Texas is the greatest state in the Union, in my opinion; we have no state museum in our capital, a magnificent museum where our history can be properly displayed. Texas has gone too long without one."

According to Heather Brand, head of public relations for the museum, funding passed the legislature in 1997 and the ground breaking was held in the spring of 1999. Unfortunately, Bullock passed away just two months after the ground breaking and never got to see the completion of his dream.

The front of the building boasts a 33-foot-tall bronze star and six relief panels depicting the major stages in Texas history. "The purpose of the star and the relief panels," said Brand, "is to really engage people in the story of Texas from the moment they arrive."

The entire right-hand side of the museum is the Imax Theater, which is the first and only one of its kind in Austin. The 400-seat, state-of-the-art theater, features two different shows that alternate throughout the day on its six-story screen. On the second floor is the much smaller Texas Spirit Theater and is the only special effects theater of its kind in Texas.

Historic episodes come to life with sets, special lighting and sound effects. Seats shake as visitors witness a gusher exploding from an East Texas oil derrick and the Galveston hurricane of 1900. Brand said, without giving too much away, "you will experience wind, rain and numerous other very surprising effects."

"This [the theater] has been a big hit here," she said. "It really brings Texas history to life in a unique way and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful experience."

There is a Temporary Exhibit Gallery on the first floor that according to Brand "allows us to bring in traveling exhibits that really delve a little deeper into various aspects of Texas history." Through December 2001 the It Ain't Braggin' If It's True exhibit will feature six sections that serve as testaments to the "braggin' rights" of Texas; valor, vision, pride, perseverance, swagger and showmanship.

"Within these six categories we have some great artifacts that help illustrate the history of Texas bragging rights," said Brand. "Texas has a reputation for being loud and proud and this exhibit tells you why."

The main exhibits at the museum cover three floors and 34,000 square feet of space. The first floor explores the stories of the early people in Texas and how they interacted with each other and the land.

"The Encounters on the Land exhibit starts with the native people of Texas that were here hundreds of years before the Europeans," said Brand. "In each exhibit you'll notice that you are in what looks like the natural environment the people experienced. This gives visitors a sense of context for the artifacts that are displayed in each exhibit." Throughout the museum interactive displays allow visitors to touch such items as pottery and bison fur and even smell some of the history of Texas.

The second floor boasts the theme "Building the Lone Star Identity" and the exhibits and interactive displays recount the people and events leading up to the Texas revolution through the Texas Centennial in 1936. A replica of the Alamo the day after the battle with Santa Anna features a video presentation on the fight for Texas Independence.

The third floor focuses on the theme "Creating Opportunity" in Texas and traces the history of ranching, how oil changed Texas, and new frontiers in space, medicine and technology. From one vantage point on this floor visitors can view a 60-foot digital Texas Timeline. Individual computer monitors connected to the timeline allow one to explore different subjects of interest in greater detail.

"One thing that is important to note is that the museum is a non-collecting institution," said Brand. "There are over 700 artifacts in the main exhibits and they are all on loan from over 100 different museums and private collectors. We only have three exceptions that are permanent," she noted. "One is the original Goddess of Liberty from the Texas capitol building, another is a vintage 1940's Texas Theater sign, and the third is a World War II training plane known as the AT-6 Texas."

Throughout the museum one is constantly reminded of the grandeur and pride of Texas. From the moment visitors enter the museum's four-story rotunda with its granite staircase and 40-foot diameter terrazzo floor depicting a campfire scene, they encounter the enduring themes from Texas, past and present.

For more information on the museum visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com.