Museum Guide

Spindletop Boomtown Museum takes visitors back in time to experience what life was like on the hill for the workers, the deal makers, and families who called this area home during the early 20th century boom days. On January 10, 1901 on Spindletop Hill outside of Beaumont, Texas, the Lucas Gusher roared to life. This spectacle ushered in the petroleum age, changing the course of United States history. In the beginning of the 20th century, the Southeast Texas economy, like that of most of the South, relied on subsistence agriculture, but cattle ranching and the lumber business were also important. Large ranches sent cattle to New Orleans, and mills in Beaumont and Orange produced lumber for shipment to the rest of America and overseas. Southeast Texas had another resource – oil – but the amount underground remained a mystery. To the north, settlers near Nacogdoches used seeping oil for lubricants before 1800. In 1847, the settlers at Sour Lake noticed that oil was bubbling to the surface, and after the Civil War Dick Dowling tried unsuccessfully to drill a well near there. There were numerous discoveries in east and central Texas in the later years, especially at Corsicana in 1896. Wildcatters drilled at Spindletop in 1893 and 1896 and at Sour Lake in 1896. However, there was no significant oil production along the Gulf Coast until the gusher at Spindletop in 1901. Total Texas oil production was 836,000 barrels in 1900, a small fraction of national production (63 million barrels). This was the start of the rich history and the oil boom and industry in South East Texas. The Spindletop Boomtown Museum explores all facets and more! Come visit us in Beaumont, TX and explore this amazing exploration and industry!  409-880-1750. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 p.m. (closed Mondays and major holidays)  https://www.lamar.edu/spindletop-boomtown-museum/spindletop-history/index.html

The National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, TX is one of a kind in the country and is a must visit! It all started on October 25, 1978, thirty-four Border Patrol Inspectors met in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the meeting of that visionary group was to establish an organization which they named the “Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers” (FORBPO). In addition to the establishment of FORBPO, these officers envisioned a National Border Patrol Museum. The institution that they envisioned would be charged with the collection, preservation, and display of Border Patrol artifacts and history. Thus, the creation of a National Border Patrol Museum, and the collection of artifacts began. A year later, on August 4, 1980, the Secretary of State for the State of Texas issued a Certificate of Incorporation Number 527890-1. This certificate identified the Museum as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. On October 1, 1985, the National Border Patrol Museum opened its doors in the basement of the old Cortez building in downtown El Paso, Texas. The museum operated out of this humble facility until 1992 when it was closed due to a dispute with the landlord. Following the closure, the Museum property was stored until the new Museum was built in 1994. Today, The Border Patrol Museum offers several exhibits pertaining to Border Patrol Operations. The Sign Cutting exhibit features a diorama explaining how sign cutting operations and tracking work to detect illegal entries into the United States.  Additionally, the exhibit displays methods used by individuals to disguise their tracks in an effort to elude detection, and offers definitions to explain terminology used in tracking operations. Tracking has been an essential tool and skill learned and used by Agents since the inception of the Border Patrol. Also, complementing the museum’s rich Border Patrol collection, is the Memorial Library, which offers a range of materials on Border Patrol history from its inception in 1924 to the present. The library/archives provide support to researchers at all levels interested in furthering their understanding of the nation’s first line of defense: the Border Patrol. As the museum has evolved over the last 40 plus years it has become the proud repository for memorabilia and memories of more than 80 years of Border Patrol history. We encourage you to visit us when in El Paso or Texas and view this very important museum and the history of our country’s first line of defense! https://borderpatrolmuseum.com/  Located: 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX. Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM (915) 759-6060  

Historic Ships in Baltimore, is a vital and growing institution located in the heart of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The organization/museum is steward of the Sloop-of-War USS Constellation, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHEC-37, Submarine USS Torsk, Lightship 116 Chesapeake, and the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. This stewardship includes managing the collections related to these mega-artifacts, and preserving and interpreting the history of these sites. The Museum plays a key role in the heritage and cultural landscape within the City of Baltimore and strives to raise awareness throughout Maryland and the United States of these important elements of our nation's history. Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, our exhibits celebrate over 200 years of Maryland's naval and maritime history. We offer a variety of events throughout the year to enrich your experience and support our exhibits. Historic Ships offers a variety of unique programs that you can choose from to experience life aboard our vessels. Check out how you can rent out one our venues - https://historicships.org/events/venue-rental When you reserve a group program, you will get to explore one of our vessels with a museum educator as your guide. Guided tour programs last about 1 hour and cover your choice of topics and include presentations & hands-on activities that focus on the lives and duties of those who served at sea. These tours are perfect for many type of groups and ages – great for Veterans wanting look back in history! Check our list of upcoming activities and events below, or select your desired month from the dropdown here. https://historicships.org/activities. Walk to Decks, Learn the Ropes, Live the Life! Experience 19th century life at sea with one of the most impressive collections of military vessels in the world. We look forward to welcoming you and your families to expererience the history of Baltimore and the US Navy! 410-539-1797. https://historicships.org/