Odessa’s rich history and culture are reflected in our diverse local museums. These are our four favorite attractions for those who want to spend a day exploring the museums of Odessa, Texas.
Ellen Noel Art Museum
This Odessa cultural and educational institution celebrates art from throughout the Permian Basin region of Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1985 as the Art Institute for the Permian Basin, the Ellen Noel Art Museum features two classrooms, four galleries, a sculpture, and sensory garden, and family space for self-directed creation.
Current exhibitions include “Betrothed: 250 Years of Wedding Fashion” and “Stampede,” a 1940 mural by El Paso artist Tom Lea. The permanent collections are housed in the museum’s McKnight Gallery, where you’ll find a curated selection from more than 900 works of art. The Ellen Noel Art Museum also hosts story hour and other fun events for kids, a teen artist residency program, adult cultural discussion groups, yoga classes, community art days, and an annual juried art exhibition.
Globe of the Great Southwest
Did you know that Odessa has its own identical version of Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre in London, England? The Globe of the Great Southwest, found on the campus of Odessa College, is built to scale and hosts classic productions by the Bard as well as contemporary plays by other auteurs.
When performances aren’t in session, you can tour the theater as well as the adjacent replica of Shakespeare’s wife’s childhood home. Construction began on the Globe of the Great Southwest in 1958 and the theater began having productions in 1968. Today, the 400-seat venue also serves as a performance space and college classroom.
The Historic White-Pool House
Built-in 1887, this Odessa landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Texas Archeological Landmark. The two-story brick house was built by the Whites, a Quaker family who migrated to Odessa from Indiana. The family lived in the house until 1905 when Oso Pool purchased the property and converted it to a five-unit apartment building. It remained in the Pool family until 1978 when Oso Pool donated the home and the 6 acres of adjacent land to the town of Odessa.
Today, the Historic White-Pool House is open for public tours on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also call to schedule a personal tour during the off-hours or even rent the property for weddings and other private events.
Parker House Ranching Museum
Another historic home in Odessa, the restored Parker House was constructed in 1935 by Jim Parker, who was the area’s leading livestock rancher. Visitors will learn about the history of ranching in Odessa and the surrounding region through the story of the Parker family. The bedroom used by Jim Parker remains as it was when he resided in the home. Other exhibits include the wedding clothes of Bessie and Jim Parker, memorabilia and photos from the early 1900s, and a restored sitting room with a period Victrola.
Spending the day at one of these four attractions just scratches the surface of the many cultural offerings in Odessa and the Permian Basin region.
Image via Pixabay.com by RyanMcGuire
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