Witte Museum, San Antonio (must see)

Nestled in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, the Witte Museum has been a cornerstone of cultural and historical preservation since its establishment in 1926. Dedicated to chronicling the stories of Texas from prehistoric times to the present, the museum showcases a diverse array of exhibits, including dinosaur fossils, cave drawings, historic artifacts, textiles, Texas wildlife dioramas, and photographs. Among its treasures are sculptures by San Antonio-born artist Bonnie MacLeary, underscoring its commitment to celebrating local talent.

The museum owes its name and origins to Alfred G. Witte, a San Antonio businessman who bequeathed $65,000 to the city for the construction of a museum honoring art, science, and natural history in memory of his parents. Ellen Schulz Quillin, the museum’s first director, played a pivotal role in its foundation, acquiring Henry Philemon Attwater's extensive natural history collection for $5,000. When the burgeoning collection outgrew its initial home in a local high school, Schulz successfully lobbied the city for additional funding, enabling the construction of the museum.

Initially known as the Witte Memorial Museum, its name was simplified to the Witte Museum in 1984. Over the years, the museum's collection has grown to include not only natural and historical artifacts but also a notable Texas Art Collection. This collection highlights works by artists living and working in Texas and those reflecting its rich history and culture.

In the 1970s, the museum saw the need for a dedicated art institution. Under director Jack McGregor’s leadership, the San Antonio Museum Association acquired the former Anheuser-Busch brewery to house what became the San Antonio Museum of Art, which opened in 1981. The Witte Museum, however, remains a vital institution, renowned for its dynamic blend of permanent exhibits and nationally acclaimed traveling exhibitions, making it a premier destination for those eager to explore the heart and soul of Texas.