The Bullock Texas State History Museum shares the story of Texas through thousands of years of history. The museum sits near the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin. Visitors explore artifacts, interactive displays, and multimedia exhibits that explain how Texas developed over time.
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The museum presents history in a clear timeline across three floors. Each level focuses on a different era. Visitors begin with the earliest people who lived on this land and then move forward through important moments that shaped modern Texas.
Students and visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Texas culture, communities, and history during a visit to the museum.
Who Was Bob Bullock?
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The museum is named after Robert “Bob” Douglas Bullock Sr., an important Texas political leader. Bullock was born in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1929.
Bullock was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1956. He later served as the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts for 16 years. Bullock also served as the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas 1991-1999.
Bullock worked in public service for nearly 40 years. Many people credit him as a key leader in building modern Texas government.
His work supported voting rights for 18-year-olds, campaign finance and election law reform, environmental protection, health services, juvenile justice, and improvements to the state’s education funding system.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum honors his commitment to public service and his belief that Texans should understand and learn from the state’s history.
Planning Your Visit
Visitors should plan their visit in advance by checking museum hours and information. Tickets can be purchased online. After purchase, visitors receive a confirmation that can be printed or scanned from a phone at the museum entrance.
- Location: 1800 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas
- Hours: Daily: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Admission: $13 for students
Texas History Galleries
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
More than 40,000 square feet (more than 3,700 square meters) of galleries display items from thousands of years of Texas history. The museum features more than 1,000 artifacts on display at any time. Objects come from museums, archives, and private collections across the country.
The Bullock Museum opened in 2001. The museum has worked with more than 700 institutions and individuals to display historical objects. New artifacts are added regularly, which makes each visit unique.
First Floor: Becoming Texas
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The first floor explores the earliest history of Texas. Exhibits begin more than 16,000 years ago with the first people who lived on this land.
Visitors learn about early American Indian communities and the tools they used for hunting, gathering, and building. Artifacts show how people adapted to the environment and created communities.
The gallery also explores the arrival of Europeans and the cultural changes that followed. Nations and political systems changed during this period. The exhibit continues through the events that led to Mexican independence in 1821.
Second Floor: Building the Lone Star Identity
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The second floor focuses on Texas history from 1821 to 1936. This period includes major events that shaped the identity of the state.
Visitors learn about the Texas Revolution and the creation of the Republic of Texas. Exhibits explain how Texas later became part of the United States. Displays also examine immigration, the economics and human cost of slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
The gallery continues through the early 20th century and the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936. This period helped shape the modern idea of the Lone Star identity and Texas heritage.
Third Floor: Being Texas
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The third floor explores Texas during the 20th century and beyond. Exhibits show how Texas became an important economic and cultural force.
Artifacts highlight ranching traditions with strong Tejano roots and the development of the oil and gas industry. Displays also explore Texans’ roles in the military, including aircraft production during World War II.
Other exhibits focus on Texas culture. Music, sports, and popular culture all play important roles in Texas identity. Displays also highlight Texas leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Special Exhibits
Special exhibits rotate throughout the year in the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall of Special Exhibitions on the first floor and the Rotunda Gallery on the third floor.
These exhibits focus on unique topics related to history, culture, and innovation. Some exhibitions come from well-known museums around the world. Others are created by the Bullock Museum’s curatorial team.
Limited-time exhibits ensure that there is always something new to discover at the museum.
Continue Learning with Online Exhibits
The Bullock Museum also offers online exhibits for visitors who want to keep learning after their visit. These interactive resources explore the people, places, and events that shaped Texas history.
Online exhibits allow students and visitors to explore Texas stories from home or the classroom.
During Your Visit
The Bullock Museum offers more than exhibition galleries. Visitors can also enjoy food, events, films, and shopping during their visit.
Dine at the Star Cafe
The Star Cafe is located on the second floor of the museum. Visitors can stop for breakfast or lunch during their visit. Museum admission is not required to visit the café.
Museum Calendar
The museum hosts many events throughout the year. Programs explore Texas history, culture, and community. Events are designed for visitors of all ages.
Visit the IMAX Theatre
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bullock Museum features an IMAX Theatre with a six-story-high screen. Visitors can watch documentaries and feature films thanks to advanced laser projection technology. The theater offers a unique movie experience.
Shop the Museum Store
Courtesy of The Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Museum Store sells a variety of Texas-themed items. Visitors can find books, local foods, music, art prints, and other gifts inspired by Texas culture.
Discover the Story of Texas
The Bullock Texas State History Museum offers an engaging way to explore the history of Texas. Visitors move through thousands of years of stories, cultures, and events as they explore each floor.
Artifacts, multimedia exhibits, and personal stories help bring the past to life. A visit to the Bullock Museum offers a deeper understanding of the people and events that shaped Texas.
This blog post was contributed by Jack Taylor, administrative associate of global engagement at the English Language Center.
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