Texas State History Museum

   Located about a half-mile from the University of Texas (Austin) campus , and just a few blocks north of the Texas State Capital, the Texas State History Museum (aka the Bullock Museum), was established in 2001 "...to tell the story of Texas." Now owned by the Texas State Preservation Board, the museum was named after Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock who led the campaign for its creation. Construction of the building began in 1999, and it was opened to the public two years later. Since 2001, nearly eight million visitors have explored the museum. It features some of the most significant artifacts pertaining toTexas. Many of its exhibits are interactive. Comprising three floors, the first focuses on "the land", while the second floor looks at "the identity" of the state, and the third on "opportunity" (aka the future). If you are planning on visiting this wonderful museum, note that on the first Sunday of each month, admission is free for the whole family.

Officially known as “The Texas State History Museum”, the Bullock Museum is located between the University of Texas (Austin) campus and the State Capital building.

In 1684, French explorer La Salle led an expedition to establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. This three-masted ship, La Belle, was part of that expedition when it sank in Matagorda Bay during a winter storm.

More than three hundred years later Texas Historical Commission archaeologists found La Belle and were able to salvage its hull along with much of its cargo.

One of the museum’s special exhibitions focuses on the Rise and Fall of Prohibition in Texas.

William (“Billy”) Sunday left his Major League Baseball career to become one of Prohibition’s greatest supporter.

This 1836 hand-colored lithograph by Carl Nebel depicts The Plaza Mayor de Mexico as it appeared during Stephen Austin’s imprisonment (from 1834 to 1835).

Texas became the 28th state to join the United States in 1845. This “Great Luminary” star flag depicts the individual stars grouped to form one larger star. It was in use for only one year when another star had to be added to represent Iowa (the 29th State).

Next to Lyndon Baines Johnson, Audie Murphy is perhaps the best known Texan of the twentieth century.

The original “Goddess of Liberty” stood on top of the Texas State Capital building between 1888 and 1985. It’s design was thought to have been inspired by images of Zeus’ daughter Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom).