Pacific War when driving down Main
Street in Fredericksburg. The impressive
childhood home of this World War II hero
stands proudly and commands attention.
The only state park dedicated to telling the
story of America’s participation in the
Pacific Theatre during World War II, the
museum also tells the story of this hometown
hero, from Nimitz’s boyhood days, to his
important role during WWII, to his death in
1966. The 7-acre site is also home to The
National Museum of the Pacific War,
George Bush Gallery, the Japanese
Garden of Peace, the History Walk of the
Pacific War, the Plaza of the Presidents, the
Surface Warfare Plaza, the Memorial and
Victory Walls, the Veterans Walk of Honor
and the Center for Pacific War Studies.
With a 24,000 sq.ft. exhibit area inside,
the museum has an impressive outdoor
exhibit of Allied and Japanese aircraft,
tanks, and guns used during WWII.
O. Henry Museum
409 E. 5th Street
512-472-1903
www.ohenrymuseum.org
Once the home of William Sidney Porter,
known to millions of devoted readers as
“O.Henry”, this 1891 Victorian cottage
was moved to its present location, and is
the site of the annual family-friendly
“O.Henry Pun-Off.”
The Republic of Texas Museum
510 E. Anderson Lane
512-339-1997
www.drtinfo.org
Attended by the Daughters of the Republic
of Texas, this simple collection of artifacts
are all from 1836-1846, when Texas
was its own country. This DRT-sponsored
library is one of the oldest in the state,
and offers two hands-on exhibits for
children: Great Grandma’s Backyard,
and a life-size covered wagon.
Texas Fine Arts Association
700 W. Congress Avenue
512-453-5312
www.arthousetexas.org
Texas Fine Arts Association creates
meaningful opportunities to investigate
and experience the art of our time through
exhibitions, programs and commissions of
new work. It is the oldest statewide visual
arts organization in Texas, and the only
statewide visual arts organization
dedicated entirely to contemporary art.
Texas Memorial Museum
The University of Texas at Austin
2400 Trinity Street
512-471-1604
www.texasmemorialmuseum.org
Built in 1936 to commemorate the Texas
centennial, the Texas Memorial Museum
includes displays of Texas and natural
history, including dinosaur bones, minerals,
gems, Native American artifacts, antique
firearms, and the original Goddess of
Liberty statue from the state capitol dome.
Texas Military Forces Museum
Camp Mabry
2200 West 35th Street,
Building 6406-6967
512-782-5659
www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
Telling the story of the history of the
military in Texas from the days of the
Texas Revolution to Desert Storm, the
museum is home to an extensive military
history library with more than 8,000
books. Special exhibit pieces include a
diorama of the Battle of the Alamo, a
machine gun from World War I,
weapons from the Spanish- American
War, and an F4 Phantom jet.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Interstate 35, Waco
254-750-8631
www.texasranger.org
Pursuant to its nonprofit mission, the Texas
Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum seeks
to disseminate knowledge and inspire
appreciation of the Texas Rangers, a
legendary symbol of Texas and the
American West, and to serve as the
principal repository for artifacts and
archives relating to the Texas Rangers.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden
and Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Road
512-445-5582
www.umlaufsculpture.org
Stroll around the grounds, and you’ll
find examples of bronze, marble, and
other sculptures created by world-renown artist and UT art professor, the
late Charles Umlauf. Umlauf
bequeathed hundreds of his works, as
well as his home, studio, and its
grounds to the city in 1985. The
museum’s xeriscaped grounds feature
sculptures of animals, religious and
mythological stories, and family groups
rendered in styles ranging from lyrical
to abstract.
THEATERS & COMPANIES
Austin Playhouse at Penn Field
3601 S. Congress Avenue
512-476-0084
www.austinplayhouse.com
The Austin Playhouse supplies Greater
Austin with a plethora of theatrical
entertainment with a mixture of genres
including comedy, drama and a variety
of local acts. The 2012/2013 season
presents such productions as “Man of
LaMancha, ”Born Yesterday” and
“Chess.”
Ballet Austin
501 W 3rd St
Austin, TX 78701
512-476-9151
www.balletaustin.org
Delight in dance and the arts with a
performance by Ballet Austin. Features
abound year round, and there is
something for everyone, from the small
to the seasoned. Introduce the new
generation to a show like none other. If
interest piques, they offer classes to
start tots young and take them through
a full program. They even go out to
schools to promote dance and special
events.