Texas Memorial Museum modifications title to Texas Science and Pure Historical past Museum forward of fall reopening

After in depth renovations, the Texas Memorial Museum modified its title to the Texas Science and Pure Historical past Museum on July 7 in preparation for its fall reopening.

“The constructing is at all times going to be Texas Memorial Museum as a result of it’s proper there within the limestone, however what’s occurring, the actions and the engagement, is actually going to concentrate on the pure sciences and on the pure historical past, and that additionally consists of the historical past of the museum itself,” affiliate director Pamela Owen mentioned. “We felt that this was the right time for the rename.”

Owen mentioned the museum’s title was modified to extra precisely characterize its contents.

“Loads of occasions, of us that weren’t accustomed to the UT campus didn’t affiliate the title Texas Memorial Museum with a pure historical past or a pure science museum,” Owen mentioned. “Loads of of us have been beneath the impression that the museum was extra about honoring World Warfare II veterans … Making these associations, lots of of us have been misled and thought that this have to be one thing to do with historical past, or it’s a memorial to one thing.”

Managing director Carolyn Connerat mentioned the title change is only one of many renovations to the museum. Along with new reveals and facilities, the constructing’s limestone is being extensively cleaned, and a partnership with the Woman Hen Johnson Wildflower Heart will assist set up pollinator gardens across the museum’s exterior.

“That is the primary time we’ve had any sort of main renovations on the constructing in 86 years,” Connerat mentioned. “It’s actually from high to backside to do an summary of taking a look at lots of these primary constructing upkeep issues that wanted to occur.”

Connerat mentioned the renovations will assist make the museum extra accessible since it’s a distinctive neighborhood useful resource.  

“That is the one science and pure historical past museum of its form within the larger Austin space that gives a location for individuals to return and truly see fossils which can be a whole lot of tens of millions of years outdated, in addition to to study concerning the science of pure historical past,” Connerat mentioned. “We’re not only a museum. We’re a part of the College of Texas at Austin as a museum and are capable of share the analysis that’s occurring concerning the science that impacts the pure world.”