Museums in Beaumont Texas

Living in southeast Texas doesn’t mean you have to be removed from the culture that abounds in the “big city”. Beaumont, Texas has many, many places for individuals and families alike to go and immerse themselves in the richness this area has to offer. Museums are a great place to go for cultural experiences both in history and in art. The museums in and around Beaumont, Texas are easily accessible, free or nearly free of charge, and have something to offer everyone. Southeast Texas boasts several museums that are worth checking out this summer.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum

This is the place to go if you’re into sporty culture. This neat, dome shaped shrine has on display awards, records, and achievements throughout the life and times of the world’s greatest athlete, Mildred Babe Didrikson Zaharias. The museum also has a visitor’s center where you can get tourist information and fun literature of the area and ideas for other things to do.
Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5.p.m. Monday – Sunday, closed Christmas only. Free.
Interstate10 East, Exit 854
Beaumont. 409-833-4622

Police Department Museum

For forensic culture, be sure to check out the Police Department Museum. Located inside a former jail, it is now home to various confiscated drugs and drug paraphernalia, illegal weapons, and historical artifacts of the department. One particular item is a uniform of an officer who was shot in the chest, saved because the bullet hit the wallet he was carrying in his left shirt pocket.
Museum hours are 8-5 Monday – Friday.
255 College, Downtown Beaumont
409-880-3825.

Spindletop/Gladys City Museum

If pioneer culture is your thing, the Spindletop Museum is the place you need to be. It is located on the site where the famed Lucas Gusher blew in on 1901, prompting the oil boom in southeast Texas. A replica of the entire town, Gladys City, that used to sit on this site has been erected and makes for a very interesting and informative walking tour. You’ll visit a livery, saloon, restaurant, boarding house, dentist, and many other buildings depicting that era in Beaumont, Texas. Spindletop has had a half million visitors and counting. It’s a must see.
Admission
$3 for adults
$1 for kids and seniors
FREE for school groups
Gladys City is found at the intersection of University Drive and US Highway 69/96/287. Southbound on 287, exit at the “Highland Ave. – Sulphur Dr.” exit; proceed down the service road crossing Highland Avenue. At the first U-turn underpass, turn left and proceed northbound about 1/4 mile to University Drive and Gladys City.

The museum is open for self-guided tours Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed major holidays). Group tours may be arranged in advance by calling (409) 835-0823.

Texas Energy Museum

If you’re into petroleum culture, Texas Energy Museum is a great place to go. The museum offers an unforgettable learning experience for both children and adults through
multimedia techniques that include rig sounds, motion, light, cinema projection, voice, and photo-mural backgrounds. Spectacular exhibits deal with the geology of hydrocarbons and the history of the petroleum industry within a total energy picture.

Tuesday -Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. through 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission $2 adults, senior citizens and children 6-12 are $1.25. Free to school groups 409-833-5100.
600 Main, Downtown Beaumont

Fire Museum of Texas

If pyrotechnic culture fascinates you, stop here first. You can’t miss it because of the
“World’s Largest Fire Hydrant” that sits out front of the museum. The spotted hydrant was created by the Disney Company for the re-release of 100 Dalmatians. The Fire Museum: Walk into an early 20th Century Fire Hall and explore all aspects of the early and modern Fire Departments. Experience a collection of historic fire department equipment, machinery, and memorabilia with seven major fire fighting units on display to represent the year 1779 to present day.

Museum hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
400 Walnut, Downtown Beaumont – 409-880-3927

Art Museum of Southeast Texas

But if true art is the culture you crave, Beaumont, Texas can accommodate you, too. Beaumont, Texas, is the home of this community-oriented art museum, which has numerous educational programs to get families involved in art. The museum’s collections are comprised of primarily 19th and 20th century fine, folk and decorative art. AMSET is free and open to the public seven days a week.

AMSET’s collection consists of approximately 1,000 works of art (painting, sculpture, prints, photographs, folk art and decorative arts) of the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries with an emphasis on American Art with a growing regional collection.

The Main Gallery hosts 8 to 10 changing exhibitions each year.

AMSET Hours:
Mon.-Fri.: 9am-5pm
Sat.: 10am-5pm
Sun: Noon-5pm
Closed Major Holidays
Admission: Free

500 Main Street
Beaumont TX 77701
409-832-3432

So you see, living in southeast Texas is no excuse for not exposing yourself to culture. A museum tour in Beaumont, Texas is the perfect indoor, cool yourself off, get out of the Texas sun, educational experience for all ages. The fact that it costs virtually nothing is another added bonus. Immerse yourself in culture today. Check out your local museums.