2014 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2014 I AM TEXAS Visit the Museum’s website and the new Texas Story Project, an initiative that engages all Texas communities in the Story of Texas. Thank You September, 2013 — August, 2014 was a banner year for the Bullock Texas State History Museum — exhibitions shared diverse stories of Texas, the film program offered a wide variety, participation in education programs and membership swelled, and the Museum received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, acknowledging us as among the best in the country. Exciting projects are in development We extend a tremendous thank you to including a technology-based statewide the State Preservation Board, the Texas initiative that will bring the Bullock State History Museum Foundation, and Museum to all communities in Texas the thousands of supporters, partners, and beyond, and the installation of and members for their commitment the extraordinary La Belle shipwreck, to the Bullock Museum. Corporations, a project that serves as the future foundations, organizations, and cornerstone of the Museum’s individuals allow the Museum to thrive exhibition galleries. this past year. Most certainly, the future is bright for the Bullock Museum. Artifacts & Exhibitions The Bullock Museum’s permanent In November, the Extreme Mammals: The galleries featured approximately 600 Biggest, Smallest, and Most Amazing original artifacts, including 127 new Mammals of All Time exhibition from the documents, objects, and paintings, on American Museum of Natural History view this past year. Rare and unique opened. One of the highest attended artifacts included Texas Representative exhibitions in the Museum’s history, Barbara Jordan’s 1976 hand-annotated signage, touch carts, and programming speech to the Democratic National highlighted species found in Texas. In Convention, a 1836 Toluca Battalion the summer, The 1968 Exhibit proved Mexican battle flag, an embossed snuff to be ideal for visitors of all ages with box belonging to Santa Anna, and a a poignant look at one of the most custom-made saddle from Zavala County turbulent years in recent history. The rancher Mary Nan exhibition included the legacies of West. 123 lenders Walter Cronkite and Lyndon B. Johnson from Texas and around the world graciously The whole family, from 5 to 65, provided artifact “ loved this exhibition. (dictated by loans to the a 5-yr. old) Museum this year. ” EXTREME MAMMALS 200-million years of mammal history, including an up close look at a 15-foot tall model of an Indricotherium, in the Extreme Mammals exhibition. The 1968 Exhibit included the launch of television’s Laugh-In and the assassinations of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and later Robert Kennedy. and a Huey helicopter, assembled and History, and the Austin History Center. dismantled by local Vietnam veterans. Views of the Capitol celebrated the Texas State Capitol building with 19th-century Special exhibitions on the Museum’s architectural drawings and photographs third floor facilitate partnerships with of the 1990s restoration by Bill Kennedy. organizations such as the Texas State Battleship Texas followed, recognizing the Library and Archives, Texas Parks and 100th anniversary of the commissioning Wildlife, The Briscoe Center for American of the first of the U.S. dreadnought battleships; it served in both WWI and “Staff was extremely helpful. The WWII. McDonald Observatory: 75 Years museum offered exactly what I expected of Stargazing highlighted the discovery for my students and was a great way to that could only be provided by the West take learning out of the classroom and Texas night sky and featured a 1,000 find some real life applications.” pound working model of the 1930s Otto Struve telescope, named for Special exhibitions the first director of the Observatory. included Views of the Sponsored by Lone Star the National Capitol which combined Beer of Texas, When Austin Got Weird 19th century was a psychedelic look at the music drawings with 20th century poster art of the late 1960s and 70s. photographs. In August, the Museum honored fallen veterans by hosting the Texas Vietnam Veterans Heroes exhibition, a beautiful tribute consisting of 3,417 dog tags created to remember the ultimate sacrifice by those in service. The Battleship TEXAS exhibition celebrated the 100th birthday of the legendary USS Texas, considered the most powerful naval weapon of its time. Theaters & Films The Texas Spirit Theater received a Titans of the Ice Age, D-Day: Normandy new operating system and state of the 1944, and Under the Sea in addition to art screens for a cleaner, clearer visual Texas the Big Picture. Events offered in experience. As the only 4D special conjunction with the film D-Day included effects theater in Austin, the Spirit a discussion with a WWII veteran and continues to be the venue of choice for a partnership program with the Texas several annual events such as the Austin General Land Office. On the international Film Festival and the Family Film Series stage, the IMAX Theatre served as a main that included classics like Holes and venue for the Giant Screen Conference, Homeward Bound. where new films were shown for theater professionals from around the world. The The Bullock Museum’s IMAX® Theatre 6-story screen remains the best in the showcased Flight of the Butterflies, state for large-format films. Audiences of all ages discovered from a new perspective in breathtaking IMAX® 3D how this monumental event changed the world. Education Programs & Events New initiatives and expanded offerings for adults and families increased the Museum’s reach. For public audiences, “Our visit was great. The discussions, gallery talks, and students talked about it for days performances featured presenters as after. We live 2½ hours away but diverse as world-renowned historians, the drive was worth it. Thanks.” NASA scientists, and award-winning authors. Innovative programs permeated Art and Culture Series presented Texas’s the calendar. The newly debuted Texas most talented artists including poet Benjamin Alire Sáenz, recipient of the 2012 PEN/Faulkner Fiction Prize. During the summer, a capacity crowd enjoyed a special program as part of the When Austin Got Weird exhibition. The program featured four award-winning poster artists followed by a screen printing workshop which created a work of art for each participant. Free First Sundays offers free admission Young artist at work during a Create Your Own program. the first Sunday of the month and brought record crowds to the Museum Halloween Spooktacular, World Refugee with specially- Day, and the Big Squeeze Accordion designed Contest celebrating one of Texas’s activities distinct cultural traditions. Family- for visitors designed programs like the “Create Your of all ages. Own” art-making workshop provided a Festival Days more focused experience for children and are designed adults to explore history together. We for adults extend our gratitude to the community and children advisory committee for their commitment and include to making the Bullock Museum a the annual destination for families. Children fly butterflies on the plaza during a Free First Sunday program. School groups learn about the shipwreck La Belle in the museum’s permanent galleries. The Museum welcomed over 101,400 121 active volunteers provided over students, teachers and chaperones 16,000 hours of service and enhanced through on-site field trips, professional the Museum experience by greeting development workshops, and distance visitors, sharing their knowledge with learning programs — an all-time high hands-on activities, and providing new since the Museum opened in 2001. ways to encounter Texas’s past through a Students represented 92 counties from living history program. all corners of Texas and beyond. New The July concert series, Music Under the curriculum guides and partnerships Star, had an incredible year with over with Texas school districts, Education 4,700 visitors enjoying a diverse lineup in Action, and the Texas State Historical of world-class musicians. To celebrate Association increased the Museum’s The 1968 Exhibit, icons of the era’s music impact. scene Shiva’s Headband Experience and Roky Erickson performed. In addition, “The Museum is something Tish Hinojosa and Carrie Rodriguez that our whole family can played, followed by Jason Roberts do together and we have leading an all-star band of Texas Swing. the opportunity to view Nine-time Grammy award winner Ray interesting exhibits and Benson took the stage backed by local watch movies in a great Jazz-grass band, Milkdrive. These family- theater.” friendly concerts included activities for children, dancing, and refreshments. School groups learn about military history in the museum’s permanent galleries. MUSIC ON THE PLAZA Crowds of visitors enjoyed the Museum’s concert series, Music Under the Star. Music lovers packed Lone Star Plaza to hear music from local favorites like the Jason Roberts Trio. Museum members enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, providing insight into the creating of artifact mounts Membership used throughout the museum. Museum Members are tremendous groovy threads for The 1968 Exhibit. advocates enabling the Museum to reach In addition to select viewings of new a wider audience. Membership supports documentaries, the film vault was free or low-cost education programs for opened for Member-only screenings of all ages and free admission to students popular IMAX icons, such as Hubble 3-D. through the school field trip program. Members also enjoyed special TEXcursion trips including stargazing, a moonlit float This past year, members enjoyed a of the Colorado River, and a visit to the safari-themed exhibition opening party Bamburger Ranch Preserve. for Extreme Mammals and wore their Texas State History Museum Foundation Led by dedicated Board members from across the state and three staff members, the Texas State History Museum Foundation supports the mission of the Bullock Museum. Ruth Collins Altshuler with event co-chair At its annual Texas Independence Louise Griffeth is honored for her service and dedication to Texas and nation.

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