PERMANENT EXHIBITION
Vintage Texas Wildlife Dioramas
Conserving History: The Story Behind the Education Wing’s Dioramas
A Journey Through Decades of Artistic Conservation and Ecological Insight
The dioramas in the Education Wing are not just artistic masterpieces; they are precious historical antiquities. Painted as early as the mid-1940s, these dioramas have been a cherished part of the museum for several decades. When faced with renovation, the museum staff chose to conserve these rich and finely detailed works, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate them.
The Texas Gulf Coast scene, the oldest diorama on display, was painted when the museum was located at the Houston Zoo. Artists like Travis Keese have contributed to these dioramas over the years, adding depth and matching walls to create a cohesive and immersive experience. The conservation of these dioramas is a testament to what museums do best – preserving and celebrating history, art, and nature’s complexity.
The Texas Gulf Coast scene, the oldest diorama on display, was painted when the museum was located at the Houston Zoo. Artists like Travis Keese have contributed to these dioramas over the years, adding depth and matching walls to create a cohesive and immersive experience. The conservation of these dioramas is a testament to what museums do best – preserving and celebrating history, art, and nature’s complexity.
Open Today: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Plan a Visit Adults $25, Children $16
See Admission Located in the Lower Level
See Accessibility Please Note:
Admission price includes access to all HMNS Permanent Exhibit Halls except certain Special Exhibitions and the Brown Hall of Entomology. Access to the Brown Hall of Entomology is included with admission to the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Admission to the Permanent Exhibits is FREE Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Members: HMNS Permanent Exhibits are always free!
Admission to the Permanent Exhibits is FREE Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Members: HMNS Permanent Exhibits are always free!
Exhibition Highlights
Timeless Artistry
Texas’s Habitats: A Visual Exploration
Explore the intricate dioramas, each a scientific representation of Texas’s diverse biomes. Witness the ecological relationships that define our natural world, captured in stunning detail.
Nature’s Detail
The Intricacy of Texas’s Wildlife
Marvel at the fine details of these dioramas, from the texture of a bobcat’s fur to the glint in an alligator’s eye. It’s a close-up view of nature’s complexity.
Ecological Art
The Artistry of Texas’s Wild Landscape
Witness the artistry that captures Texas’s wild landscapes. The craftsmanship in these dioramas reflects the beauty and complexity of nature’s design.
Meet the Curators
Our curators’ combined expertise ranges from A to Z… from archaeology to zoology!
Daniel M. Brooks, Ph.D.
Curator of Vertebrate Zoology
Dr. Dan Brooks is the curator of vertebrate zoology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He oversees a collection of over 5,000 specimens of birds, mammals, herps, and fish from the Texas coastal bend, Africa, Latin America, and select taxonomic groups.