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Brazosport Museum of Natural Science

Reveal the wonders of nature and history at the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science!

  • Investigate ocean life with the largest public seashell collection in the region.
  • Take a peek into the lives of prehistoric cultures.
  • Get close to an allosaurus, raptors, a megalodon jaw and other favorite fossils.
  • Marvel at glittering geodes, sparkling gemstones and rocks that glow in the dark.

Museum Hours

Tuesday – Saturday

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Sunday

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Monday

Closed

Admission to the museum is free but tickets are required. Click here to reserve yours in advance!

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

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3 events,

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6 events,

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5 events,

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3 events,

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5 events,

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2 events,

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About Brazosport Museum of Natural Science

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science shall

  • provide facilities, objects, repositories, exhibits and educational programs
  • attract interested, knowledge-seeking people
  • educate and challenge our audience
    • to explore and discover our natural sciences
    • to preserve and respect our natural history
    • to conserve and restore our natural resources

and, thus, gain enlightenment and appreciation of the beauty and wonders of our environment and gain the wisdom to preserve our natural heritage.

Powered by unique individuals who will lead the museum into the future.

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Exhibit Halls

Mildred Tate Hall of Malacology

Found a shell on a local beach and want to know what it is? Find it in the Texas waters collection.

Our founder Mildred Tate believed that the public should look at mollusks to appreciate their natural beauty, so she designed our collection to be available to the public. Visit the collection to view these natural wonders.

Bryan Cooney Hall of Paleontology

View for free an amazing collection of dinosaurs and other ancient animals including a Bambiraptor (the only one in Texas).

See ancient aquatic denizens – large and small, from fresh and salt environments.

Raymond Walley Hall of Archaeology

Learn about life in antebellum Texas.

Explore artifacts from local Native Americans.

A.P. Beutel Hall of Minerals

Discover crystals of all sizes, shapes and colors.

Be amazed as rocks respond to different lights.

Hall of Wildlife

Large display of American waterfowl.

Examples of animals found in Texas exhibited in a natural setting.

Beautiful butterflies and moths from Texas and around the world.

Volunteer with Brazosport Museum of Natural Science

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science offers many opportunities for volunteering to help us fulfill our mission of enriching the culture of the upper Texas gulf coast through visual arts programs.

Volunteers are needed to help welcome guests to the museum, organize and present special events, install and maintain exhibits, teach science-related workshops, serve in leadership positions and to host outreach events.

If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, please give us a call at (979) 265-7661.

You may also email us at mbell@bcfas.org or complete the Volunteer Interest Form online.

Membership

Full Circle Sampler

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2023)

Enjoy an exciting season at The Center (and beyond) with memberships to each Partner Group with this “sampler” package! 

  • Brazosport Fine Arts Council membership (voting level membership) + $50 donation to Center Operations
  • Brazosport Art League Single Artist membership (valid through Sept. 30, 2024)
  • 5 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Center Stages*  (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season shows)
  • Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Individual membership (valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024)
  • BASF Planetarium individual membership
  • 4 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra* (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season concerts)

*Reservations required to redeem BCS & BSO Flex Tickets

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Membership

Membership Benefits (beginning January 2024)

All members receive a 10% DISCOUNT on Museum Gift Shop purchases.
Discount on Mondays at the Museum (Summer at The Center).

History of Brazosport Museum of Natural Science

Mildred Tate dared to dream. Her vision both challenged and inspired her fellow workers. She gave tirelessly to the museum from its inception in 1964 until her death in 1990. With insight, leadership and determination, she created an outstanding collection and display of shells, winning state and national recognition for the museum. She epitomized excellence in field of malacology and instilled her love of shell and nature in a generation of people.

Raymond Walley was a chemist by profession and an archaeologist by avocation. Founder of the Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (the precursor of the Brazosport Archaeological Society), he was an enthusiastic leader in the local archaeological endeavors for over twenty years, especially during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Initially, the main purpose of the Gulf Coast Archaeological Society was to gain knowledge of the Karankawa Indians who lived in the Brazosport area more than 400 years ago and were still present when the first Anglo colonists arrived. His work in this museum was original and focused the attention of Texas archaeologists on Brazosport for the first time. Later work involved sites in Fort Bend, Wharton and Harris Counties.

A man gifted in inspiring the young, he organized and led two clubs of junior archaeologists, many of whom participated in local explorations, following established professional procedures.

He was a founder of the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and served on its Board of Directors and as a Trustee. He was the museum’s first Curator of Archaeology. In 1974, the museum established the Raymond Walley Memorial Scholarship at Brazosport College.

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Affiliations

Sea Shell Searchers of Brazoria County

Sea Shell Searchers meet the first Saturday of every month, September through May, at 2:00 PM in the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science located at The Center for the Arts and Sciences.

Anyone interested in shelling or who would like more information about the Sea Shell Searchers are encouraged to contact us by email at seashellsearchers22@gmail.com or you may pick up a Sea Shell Searchers brochure at the Brazosport Museum.

The Brazosport Archaeological Society

Regular meetings of the Society are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science located at The Center for the Arts & Sciences.

The Brazosport Archaeological Society invites YOU to join them in their study of the prehistory and history of the lower Brazos River region. The Society is a non-profit organization created to stimulate an active interest in the discovery, conservation, and salvage of archaeological sites, and the recording and preservation of archaeological remains using scientific procedures.

The Society was founded in 1981 and is affiliated with the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science (BMNS). The Society works within the stated objectives, rules and by-laws of the museum. The Society strives to:

  • preserve and protect prehistoric and historic remains of the lower Brazos River region
  • educate its members and the general public in archaeological/ethnological fields-of-study
  • conduct archaeological excavations and research studies relative to the area
  • publish data obtained from its research studies and excavations
  • cooperate with other scientific institutions or organizations

For more information, contact thecenter@bcfas.org.

Education

BMNS memberships are ON SALE NOW! Memberships include Summer at the Center discounts, 10% museum shop discounts and voting privileges. Join us today!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Summer at the CenterSummer at The Center – Mondays at the Museum

Registration for Summer at The Center programs will open Friday, May 1 at 9:00 AM! Get more info. & register at the main Summer at The Center page!
  • June 8 – Dinosaurs
  • June 15 – Simple Machines
  • June 22 – Sound Energy

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 

Ages: 4-6 (as of January 1, 2026)

Class fee: Each session – $20 BMNS member, $25 Non-BMNS member

Students may sign up for one, two or all three sessions of Mondays at the Museum!

 

STORY TIME AT THE MUSEUM

Join us on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 AM for Story Time at the Museum! We will be reading a new book each week and doing activities to go along with the story.
This event is perfect for preschoolers, young elementary homeschoolers and their parents/guardians and is FREE, but please check in at the desk in the lobby when you arrive!
 
 

PAST EVENTS:

LITTLE HANDS, BIG SCIENCE: MAKING SNOW IN TEXAS

Join us for a family FUN snow day on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00 AM at Brazosport Museum of Natural Science! Presented by representatives from the Brazosport section of the American Chemistry Society, the event will include a “cool” chemistry demonstration all about snow before kids in attendance will have the opportunity to make their own winter wonderland!

This event is FREE, but an RSVP is requested so we can plan accordingly.

 

DINOSAUR STORY TIME

Join us for a special Dinosaur Story Time with the Clute Library on Saturday, November 15 at 11:00 AM at the museum! We’ll be reading all about dinosaurs…then doing fun dinosaur-related activities! THEN, stick around to check out the collections of fossils, shells, rocks & minerals, wildlife and historical artifacts in the museum AND our kids’ activity area.
 
SEA SHELL SEARCHERS SHELL SHOW

Postponed until 2026

 

MAGICAL MIXTURES

Saturday, October 25 – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Join us SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM as The Center for the Arts & Sciences becomes the spot for Magical Mixtures! ⚗️👻🕺🕷🕸🎃⚰️🪦🧪
 
🧪Brew your own enchanting potions with Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and Brazosport Art League
 
🕺Level up your dance skills with Brazosport Center Stages’ “Thriller” dance workshop
 
👻Pop by BASF Planetarium’s Fall Astronomy Day for “stellar” activities
 
🍿Enjoy popcorn, candy, & Butterbeer
 
This FREE event is sure to usher in the spooky season in a silly, not scary way! Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. RSVPs are requested to help us plan for adequate supplies.
 

ARCHEOLOGY DAY

Saturday, October 4 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us Saturday, October 4 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for a TEXAS Archeology Day…we’re Dusting Off the Shelves for our visitors!
 
YOU CAN:
  •  See rare and never-before-seen items from our Texas archeology collections
  • Build an archeological marvel of your own at our LEGO Archeology station
  • Participate in a scavenger hunt
  • Check out family-friendly crafts & activities
This event is FREE and open to the public!
 
 

MEGALODON DAY

Join Brazosport Museum of Natural Science as we celebrate our favorite shark…the massive, prehistoric MEGALODON! We’re teaming up with Sea Center Texas on Saturday, August 2 for MEGALODON DAY from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM with shark-themed arts & crafts for families.

Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Tours

School field trips are scheduled Tuesday – Thursdays. Approximately two hours is needed plus travel time for your visit. To request a school field trip, please complete this form.

IF you are NOT a school requesting a field trip, please complete the form here to request a tour. A Center representative will contact you soon.

Education

BMNS memberships are ON SALE NOW! Memberships include Summer at the Center discounts, 10% museum shop discounts and voting privileges. Join us today!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Summer at the CenterSummer at The Center – Mondays at the Museum

Registration for Summer at The Center programs will open Friday, May 1 at 9:00 AM! Get more info. & register at the main Summer at The Center page!
  • June 8 – Dinosaurs
  • June 15 – Simple Machines
  • June 22 – Sound Energy

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 

Ages: 4-6 (as of January 1, 2026)

Class fee: Each session – $20 BMNS member, $25 Non-BMNS member

Students may sign up for one, two or all three sessions of Mondays at the Museum!

 

STORY TIME AT THE MUSEUM

Join us on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 AM for Story Time at the Museum! We will be reading a new book each week and doing activities to go along with the story.
This event is perfect for preschoolers, young elementary homeschoolers and their parents/guardians and is FREE, but please check in at the desk in the lobby when you arrive!
 
 

PAST EVENTS:

LITTLE HANDS, BIG SCIENCE: MAKING SNOW IN TEXAS

Join us for a family FUN snow day on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00 AM at Brazosport Museum of Natural Science! Presented by representatives from the Brazosport section of the American Chemistry Society, the event will include a “cool” chemistry demonstration all about snow before kids in attendance will have the opportunity to make their own winter wonderland!

This event is FREE, but an RSVP is requested so we can plan accordingly.

 

DINOSAUR STORY TIME

Join us for a special Dinosaur Story Time with the Clute Library on Saturday, November 15 at 11:00 AM at the museum! We’ll be reading all about dinosaurs…then doing fun dinosaur-related activities! THEN, stick around to check out the collections of fossils, shells, rocks & minerals, wildlife and historical artifacts in the museum AND our kids’ activity area.
 
SEA SHELL SEARCHERS SHELL SHOW

Postponed until 2026

 

MAGICAL MIXTURES

Saturday, October 25 – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Join us SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM as The Center for the Arts & Sciences becomes the spot for Magical Mixtures! ⚗️👻🕺🕷🕸🎃⚰️🪦🧪
 
🧪Brew your own enchanting potions with Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and Brazosport Art League
 
🕺Level up your dance skills with Brazosport Center Stages’ “Thriller” dance workshop
 
👻Pop by BASF Planetarium’s Fall Astronomy Day for “stellar” activities
 
🍿Enjoy popcorn, candy, & Butterbeer
 
This FREE event is sure to usher in the spooky season in a silly, not scary way! Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. RSVPs are requested to help us plan for adequate supplies.
 

ARCHEOLOGY DAY

Saturday, October 4 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us Saturday, October 4 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for a TEXAS Archeology Day…we’re Dusting Off the Shelves for our visitors!
 
YOU CAN:
  •  See rare and never-before-seen items from our Texas archeology collections
  • Build an archeological marvel of your own at our LEGO Archeology station
  • Participate in a scavenger hunt
  • Check out family-friendly crafts & activities
This event is FREE and open to the public!
 
 

MEGALODON DAY

Join Brazosport Museum of Natural Science as we celebrate our favorite shark…the massive, prehistoric MEGALODON! We’re teaming up with Sea Center Texas on Saturday, August 2 for MEGALODON DAY from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM with shark-themed arts & crafts for families.

Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Executive Board
President
Wanda Coker
Vice President
Gus Lindveit
Secretary
Angela Villareal
Treasurer
Steven Coker
Assistant Treasurer
Roy Morgan

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

1 event,

-

3 events,

3 events,

-

6 events,

-

2 events,

-

4 events,

-

4 events,

-
-

1 event,

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7 events,

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6 events,

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7 events,

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6 events,

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6 events,

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4 events,

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1 event,

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4 events,

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4 events,

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5 events,

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3 events,

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5 events,

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3 events,

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1 event,

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5 events,

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5 events,

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5 events,

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3 events,

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5 events,

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4 events,

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1 event,

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3 events,

4 events,

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5 events,

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2 events,

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1 event,

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1 event,

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