Press Room
About Our Exhibits at the Texas Memorial Museum
- The Museum offers free admission seven days a week.
- All exhibits are based on the 5.7 million collected specimens from research conducted at the Texas Natural Science Center.
- Exhibits focus on prehistoric life, evolution, rocks and minerals, and Texas wildlife.
- More than 75,000 people visit the exhibit hall each year, including 40,000 schoolchildren.
Hall of Geology and Paleontology (Floor 1): Encounter dinosaurs and fossil animals at every turn in the new Hall of Geology, including the 30-foot Mosasaur that swam in the shallow seas of Texas in prehistoric times. The Hall features 550 specimens of dinosaurs, fossils, gems and minerals. One alcove displays a wide variety of gems and minerals; another features drawer upon drawer of museum specimens to help visitors identify fossil finds from their own back yards. Highlighting the exhibit is the Paleo Lab where working paleontologists answer questions from visitors while preparing fossils for display.
Great Hall (Floor 2): Thrill to the Texas Pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever found, with a wingspan of 40 feet, unearthed in Texas by The University of Texas at Austin scientists. Showcasing the Museum’s most valuable specimens – many never before seen by the public – the exhibit entitled Natural Wonders: Treasures of the Texas Natural Science Center draws directly from the research of The University of Texas at Austin scientists. Specimens are rotated into the exhibit from the collections several times during the year, allowing visitors access to as many important specimens as possible.
Hall of Texas Wildlife (Floor 3): Wildlife exhibits feature mounted specimens of Texas birds, animals, reptiles and amphibians. A section highlighting Fishes of Texas includes interactive multimedia displays, underwater photographs, and collected specimens, helping visitors gain an appreciation of the diversity and value of Texas fishes.
Hall of Biodiversity (Floor 4): Highlighting the fourth-floor Biodiversity Discovery Hall is the Explore Evolution interactive learning center, featuring multimedia and interactive displays that offer visitors engaging opportunities to learn about recent contributions to our understanding of biological evolution. The exhibit features current scientific research and major discoveries by internationally recognized scientists, including the Texas Natural Science Center’s Director, Dr. Ed Theriot. Seven exhibit sections illustrate the principles of evolution and show how they are fundamental to advances in contemporary science and medicine.
Off-site temporary exhibits: Periodically, window displays are on view at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, The University of Texas at Austin Faculty Center and other public buildings; a special display in the office building at 301 Congress Avenue celebrates the accomplishments of The University of Texas at Austin geologist, archeologist, and naturalist Glen Evans.
