Museum History

Texas Science & Natural History Museum, formerly known as Texas Memorial Museum, has been a cornerstone of science education and natural history in Austin, Texas, since its public opening in 1939.

Founded by the Texas Legislature, the museum was commissioned in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial celebration. The museum was designed by renowned architects John F. Staub and Paul Philippe Cret. Cret also designed the UT Tower and other prominent UT buildings. On June 11, 1936, on his way to Dallas for the Texas Centennial celebrations, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Austin to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum.

The museum was constructed between 1936 and 1938 on the north side of the UT campus on land historically known as Wheeler’s Grove, one of the earliest locations for African Americans in Austin to celebrate Juneteenth (Emancipation Day). Today, the majestic trees that surround the building remain as reminders of this important gathering place.

The Art Deco-inspired building opened to the public Jan. 15, 1939 and quickly became a home for significant discoveries in Texas paleontology and geology, as well as important historical, cultural and anthropological artifacts.

The museum was transferred to The University of Texas at Austin in 1959 by legislative enactment, and today is part of the College of Natural Sciences.

For decades, the museum has provided a unique learning experience for generations of Austin families, school groups, the UT community and visitors from across the state and around the world.

With new investments from the University, the College of Natural Sciences and the Texas Legislature, in 2022 and 2023, the museum underwent significant renovations and rebranding to better reflect its mission and offerings. The newly renamed Texas Science & Natural History Museum reopened to the public on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the beginning of a new era for the museum. This transformation introduced new exhibits and modernized facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience and educational impact. The mission of the museum is to excite, engage, and connect curious minds of all ages to the unique and irreplaceable natural history of Texas.

The museum continues to showcase the rich geological, paleontological and natural history of Texas, while new displays and programs connect visitors to the natural world, from prehistoric life to the impacts of current research and technology.

As the only museum in the greater Austin area focused on science and natural history, Texas Science & Natural History Museum continues to serve as a bridge between the past and the present, with a look to the future. It offers a comprehensive look at the natural wonders of Texas and provides an engaging and educational experience for all who visit.