Texas Science & Natural History Museum Celebrates Record Attendance in its First Year Since Reopening

Texas Science & Natural History Museum, located on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin, saw record attendance in its first full year since rebranding and reopening in September 2023. Formerly known as Texas Memorial Museum, the 85-year-old museum reopened to the public late last September as a vibrant hub for education, exploration and discovery. In the last year, the space welcomed more than 75,000 visitors, hailing from all 50 states and 28 different countries. Nearly 300 school and community groups have toured the museum, and another 9,000 people, beyond the visiting museum-goers, came through the doors for private events, including wedding ceremonies and holiday parties.

“There has been such an overwhelming and enthusiastic response from visitors in the last year, from Austin locals and from around the world,” said Carolyn Connerat, managing director. “This museum is a treasure for our community, and it’s a privilege to welcome curious minds of all ages through the doors.”

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. This transformation introduced new exhibits and modernized facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience and educational impact.

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

Its newest temporary exhibit features a scale model of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the largest optical telescope in North America. Located at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas, the 80-ton telescope boasts a 10-meter mirror composed of 91 hexagonal segments, making it a powerhouse for astronomical research. Visitors to the exhibit, “Big Eye on Dark Skies: The Hobby-Eberly Telescope,” will learn how this remarkable piece of technology is used to search for planets outside our solar system, look at distant galaxies and even study dark energy. Information about how to participate in a related citizen science project is also part of the exhibit, which is housed on the museum’s third floor. 

The telescope exhibit follows April’s opening of the “Particles of Color” exhibit, which explores the science of sustainable fashion. Located in the museum’s Science Frontiers Gallery, the exhibit focuses on the creation and use of plant-based biodegradable sequins, highlighting garments and accessories designed and made by UT students and faculty, as well as fashion industry professionals. 

Next March, the museum plans to open its reimagined hands-on Discovery Center, where visitors can explore real fossil specimens and engage in scientific thinking in an active educational space. Construction has begun on the project.

“This historic museum’s first year back was a phenomenal success, thanks to the many staff, volunteers, supporters and lawmakers who played a role,” said David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. “Along with leaders across campus, I am excited to join these museum champions in making sure that future exciting offerings reach the broadest possible swath of the science-inspired community.”

The museum recently received a grant from the Still Water Foundation to conduct engineering and architectural planning studies to redesign  its Dinosaur Trackways Building, a 1940 Work Projects Administration (WPA) building that houses 113-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, discovered in Texas. The grant will also support a new conservation study on how to preserve the actual dinosaur tracks.

The museum frequently hosts educational programs for the public, such as an upcoming fossil identification event on National Fossil Day, Oct. 16. As part of its anniversary celebrations, the museum will host an outdoor screening of “Jurassic Park” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 5. This is a ticketed event.

Our thanks to the Simons Foundation for donating the telescope model for the Big Eye on Dark Skies: The Hobby-Eberly Telescope exhibit at Texas Science & Natural History Museum.