• August 13, 2018

Museums Contribute to Tourism, Knowledge, Context in the Coastal Bend, Part I

Museums Contribute to Tourism, Knowledge, Context in the Coastal Bend, Part I

150 150 Elect Todd Hunter

Museums Contribute to Tourism, Knowledge, Context in the Coastal Bend, Part I

Over the next several weeks, I would like to take the opportunity to discuss the various museums and historical institutions that serve our area by educating the public on important aspects of our local history. This week, I will be focusing on two of the museums in our area. The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is an excellent resource for the history of our area. The Port Aransas Museum, which is partnered with the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, is another great resource that members of the public can enjoy.

The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, which was opened in 1952, features 40,000 square feet of science and history exhibits. These exhibits include history specific to the city, local cultures, an older shipwreck, and artifacts from the Kenedy family. The focus shifts to ancient history with the exceptional Paleontology exhibit, and to botany with the Seeds of Change feature. The museum provides a wide array of programs for schools, adults, summer camps, and families. Every month, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History provides a “Family Fun Day” filled with hands-on activities inspired by a new topic each month. This month, Family Fun Day will take place on August 25 from 10-5 and will focus on engineering. You can research the museum and make plans to visit Corpus Christi Museum Summer Camp. 
The city of Port Aransas also features its own museum, which was created in 2002 to conserve and promote the history of the area. One of its primary exhibits is named “War and Strife,” and focuses on the area’s involvement with events such as the Karankawa Wars, the Civil War, World War II and the War Against Terrorism. Another remarkable feature of the museum is its Chapel Tour where visitors are taken to a small church on the sand dunes 26 feet above the sea. During the summer, the museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30-noon, and from 1:00-3:00. More info on the museum and its features can be found at the Port Aransas Museum.

Finally, the Internet is full of resources with which to read about our long and storied history. These resources include The Texas State Historical Association, also The Texas Historical Commission and South Texas Maps.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.