Museums Contribute to Tourism, Knowledge, Context in the Coastal Bend, Part III
Over the past few weeks, we have discussed some of the museums and historical institutions that serve our area. These institutions are important because they educate the public on key aspects of our local history and culture. This week, I will be focusing on two more museums in our area: The USS Lexington and The Texas Surf Museum. Both provide excellent resources to the coastal bend and the surrounding areas.
The USS Lexington nicknamed the “Blue Ghost”, came to Corpus Christi Bay in 1992, but was commissioned to be built back in 1943. This carrier was a part of the Fifth Fleet at Pearl Harbor, participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific Theater and spent a total of 21 months in combat. The USS Lexington supported a crew of about 3,000 members during World War II, and today visitors can see where they slept, ate, visited the dentist and more. One popular activity at the USS Lexington is the overnight stays. Campers can spend one or two nights on board the ship hearing stories from the ship’s illustrious past – covering topics like kamikaze attacks and the manpower it takes to navigate an aircraft carrier. You can research the museum and make plans to visit The USS Lexington.
Another great museum in Corpus Christi is the Texas Surf Museum. Located at 309 North Water Street, this museum was founded with the mission to explore the history of surfing and showcase the Lone Star State’s unique place in surfer history. The museum also hopes to educate the public on proper conservation practices in order to protect and preserve the beaches, bays, and waterways of the Texas Gulf Coast. Their current exhibits include: Texas Surf: Life Cycle of a Wave, Women Surfers of the Gulf Coast and Function of Fins. More info on the museum and its features can be found at Texas Surf Museum.
As I mentioned last week, the internet is another great resource with which to read about our long and storied history. These resources include the Texas State Historical Association, 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.
