The Witte Museum showcases San Antonio’s rich history through diverse exhibits. You’ll encounter towering dinosaurs in the Naylor Family Gallery, explore six Texas ecosystems in the McLean Family Wild Gallery, and discover indigenous and frontier narratives in the South Texas Heritage Center.
Since its modest beginnings in 1926, the museum has evolved into a $100 million cultural landmark following its 2017 renovation. Each gallery offers interactive experiences that bring Texas’s remarkable story to life.
Image: Witte Museum, Witte Museum Front, CC BY-SA 4.0
A Journey Through Time: The Origins and Evolution of the Witte Museum
How did a modest $5,000 collection transform into one of San Antonio’s premier cultural institutions? The story begins in 1926, when local teacher Ellen Schultz Quillin—not Schulz—purchased artifacts that would become the foundation of what became the Witte Museum.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the museum expanded significantly, with building additions over multiple decades. In the 1970s, the Witte temporarily shifted toward fine arts before reaffirming its focus on natural history and regional heritage in the 1980s. This identity shift culminated in a major 1994 master plan and the transformative “New Witte” expansion in 2017, solidifying its role as the definitive showcase of South Texas’s cultural and natural history.
Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery: Ancient Texas Comes to Life
The towering Acrocanthosaurus skeleton greets visitors as they enter the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery, offering an immediate glimpse into Texas’s prehistoric past. At the Witte Museum, you’ll journey back over 110 million years to when dinosaurs roamed the region that is now Texas.
You’ll explore life-size models, fossil casts, and actual specimens from the Cretaceous Period, including Deinosuchus and Quetzalcoatlus. The immersive environment helps illustrate the evolution of life and ecosystems in ancient Texas.
Interactive displays let you dig into paleontology while learning how ancient creatures adapted and thrived. The gallery is a cornerstone of the Witte’s renowned paleontology collection.
McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery: Diverse Ecosystems and Wildlife
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Six distinct ecoregions unfold before your eyes in the McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery, showcasing the stunning natural diversity of Texas. From the Piney Woods of East Texas to the Chihuahuan Desert, you’ll encounter more than 150 species displayed in lifelike habitats.
Travel virtually from the Gulf Coast marshes to the Edwards Plateau, learning how wildlife such as ocelots, bobcats, armadillos, and birds of prey thrive in varied landscapes. The exhibits include interactive conservation messages, emphasizing biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
This gallery offers a comprehensive look at the natural beauty that defines Texas.
South Texas Heritage: From Indigenous Peoples to Frontier Settlers
Spanning thousands of years of history, the South Texas Heritage Center immerses visitors in the layered cultural history of the region. You’ll explore indigenous lifeways through displays of Coahuiltecan artifacts, tools, and ceremonial objects that showcase resilience and innovation.
The gallery traces San Antonio’s shift from Spanish mission frontier to Mexican territory, then to Texan republic and U.S. statehood. Displays highlight ranching culture, Tejano influence, and early commerce.
Through engaging multimedia and historically accurate recreations, this exhibit reveals how diverse peoples shaped San Antonio’s cultural identity.
Special Exhibitions: Rotating Showcases of Art, Science, and Culture
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Always evolving, the Witte Museum’s special exhibitions guarantee fresh, engaging content year-round. You’ll encounter traveling shows, in-house productions, and collaborations that blend science, culture, and history.
Recent and notable exhibits include:
- “Staying Alive: Animal Adaptations” – A look at survival tactics in nature, featuring live animal interactions
- “My Heart is Not Blind” – A photography and oral history exhibit exploring the lives of visually impaired individuals
- “The Power of Poison” (a traveling exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History)
These exhibits ensure that return visits always reveal new perspectives and insights.
Interactive Learning: Educational Programs for All Ages
At the Witte Museum, learning goes far beyond observation—it becomes an immersive experience. The museum offers TEKS-aligned field trips and classroom outreach, particularly through the H-E-B Body Adventure, which emphasizes health and wellness through STEM education.
Families can participate in storytimes, workshops, and live science demos. Students explore archaeology in mock digs, learn about early Texas cultures, and connect with natural science through hands-on labs.
The museum’s summer camps, homeschool days, and teacher resources reflect a strong commitment to lifelong learning.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips and Must-See Attractions
Make the most of your Witte Museum visit with these helpful details:
- Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
- Admission: Adults – $15, Children (4–11) – $10, Military & Seniors – $13, under 4 – free
- Location: 3801 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX, inside Brackenridge Park, near the San Antonio Zoo
- Parking: Available at the Brackenridge Park Garage, with additional lots nearby
Must-see highlights:
- Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery
- H-E-B Body Adventure
- Texas Heritage Center
- McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery
Each attraction delivers a vibrant, educational, and entertaining experience perfect for visitors of all ages.