Odessa, Texas, is a place rich with history and culture, as its wide selection of museums shows. If you’re looking for a learning experience in the Odessa area, you’ll find plenty of opportunities at these great museums:
Ellen Noel Art Museum
Art-lovers should put the Ellen Noel Art Museum at the top of their to-do list. Whether you’re interested in the Renaissance era, modern art, photography, or mixed multimedia, you’re sure to find something inspiring at this world-class art museum. The Ellen Noel focuses on preserving American art from 1850 to current times, offering visitors a crash course into the art that has shaped Texas and the nation into the place it is today.
Petroleum Museum
As its name suggests, the Petroleum Museum offers a unique insight into the world of oil production and science. You’ll get the chance to see everything from gas station memorabilia, exhibits about the oil industry, interactive learning experiences, and more. The Petroleum Museum’s niche learning experience makes it a popular destination for those who want to learn a little bit more about how the world around them works.
Presidential Archives and Leadership Library
If you’re interested in the United State presidents, the Presidential Archives and Leadership Library is certainly worth a visit. It’s housed in the University of Texas Permian Basin campus and is full of artifacts from significant presidential places and people. You’ll be able to explore presidential and first lady portraits, replicas of First Ladies’ gowns, rare presidential papers, and more in this museum’s halls.
Museum of the Southwest
Over in Midland, you’ll find the Museum of the Southwest. If you’re looking for a museum that most likely has something for everyone in your party, this one has a little bit of everything. In one exhibit, you can explore a great collection of Native American artifacts. In another, you’ll find a lesson in printmaking and the art that arises from it. Paintings, natural history, photography — the Museum of the Southwest always has something interesting to discover.
The George W. Bush Childhood Home
While you’re in Midland, make sure to stop by the George W. Bush Childhood Home for a look into one of our nation’s president’s formative years. By proxy, you’ll get to explore the home of two presidents, as well as two first ladies. The Bush family’s mark on American history is given a remarkable backstory with this interesting historical location.
The White-Pool House Museum
Get a unique view of Texas life in the late 1800s and early 1900s at the White-Pool House Museum. The Victorian-style home doubles as a wedding venue, but also houses a museum dedicated to period pieces, antiquated farm equipment, and scenes of what life was like for the family that lived there. You can get free tours at this historic home by emailing or calling the caretakers.
Whether you’re visiting the area or you want to get to know your home more personal, these museums are worth the trip. Museums, in general, are one of the best ways to truly get acquainted with an area’s culture, history, and personality.
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