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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

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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.

Please contact The Center’s volunteer coordinator at (979) 265-7661 or by clicking this link to a full list of volunteer opportunities.

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 PROGRAMS:

 

Slime Day
Saturday, October 28
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
IT’S ALMOST SLIME TIME! Join us at the museum on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for SLIME DAY! This year, Slime Day is focusing slimy creatures – snails, slugs & worms – including hands-on activities, painting and crafts!
 
Children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is open to the public and admission is FREE, but an RSVP is requested.

 

PAST EVENTS:

 
Sea Shell Searchers Shell Show
Friday, October 13 •10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 14 •10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Lake Jackson Civic Center
 
Archeology Mystery
Saturday, October 14
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
For kids ages 4-10 years old
Featuring hands-on activities, crafts and a take-home pinch pot kit. 
 
Teddy Bear Picnic

Saturday, September 16
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Admission is FREE.

Join Brazosport Museum of Natural Science as we officially welcome our newest resident, an as-yet unnamed black bear, to the Hall of Wildlife! Swing by the museum to submit your suggestion in the “Name the Bear” contest!

On Saturday, September 16, children and adults are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear to the event, join in a teddy bear parade AND find out what our new bear’s name will be! Families are welcome to pack a blanket and a picnic to enjoy in the museum or outside on The Center’s grounds (weather permitting).

Dino Day Dance Party

Saturday, August 5
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Admission is FREE

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science is throwing a Dino Day Dance Party on Saturday, August 5 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM! Join us for a dance party with a DJ, drinks & snacks, games and prizes for the best dressed dinosaur and the judges’ favorite dino t-shirts!

Get ready to dance, sing along to the fun dinosaur-themed songs and have a prehistorically good time!

 

***********

 

SUMMER AT THE CENTER

Thank you for a fabulous 2023 summer of programs! Stay tuned for information on our 2024 Mondays at the Museum!

June 12 – Dino Days

June 19 – Rock N Roll Eruption

June 26 – Mad Matter

Ages 4* – 6 (*as of January 1, 2023)

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Fee for each class: 

$15 – BMNS members

$20 – Non-BMNS members

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Tours

Please complete the form here to request a tour. A museum representative will contact you soon.

Brazosport ISD school tours are coordinated with Brazosport Planetarium and Brazosport Art League. Please call (979) 265-7661 for more information.

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 PROGRAMS:

 

Slime Day
Saturday, October 28
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
IT’S ALMOST SLIME TIME! Join us at the museum on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for SLIME DAY! This year, Slime Day is focusing slimy creatures – snails, slugs & worms – including hands-on activities, painting and crafts!
 
Children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is open to the public and admission is FREE, but an RSVP is requested.

 

PAST EVENTS:

 
Sea Shell Searchers Shell Show
Friday, October 13 •10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 14 •10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Lake Jackson Civic Center
 
Archeology Mystery
Saturday, October 14
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
For kids ages 4-10 years old
Featuring hands-on activities, crafts and a take-home pinch pot kit. 
 
Teddy Bear Picnic

Saturday, September 16
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Admission is FREE.

Join Brazosport Museum of Natural Science as we officially welcome our newest resident, an as-yet unnamed black bear, to the Hall of Wildlife! Swing by the museum to submit your suggestion in the “Name the Bear” contest!

On Saturday, September 16, children and adults are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear to the event, join in a teddy bear parade AND find out what our new bear’s name will be! Families are welcome to pack a blanket and a picnic to enjoy in the museum or outside on The Center’s grounds (weather permitting).

Dino Day Dance Party

Saturday, August 5
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Admission is FREE

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science is throwing a Dino Day Dance Party on Saturday, August 5 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM! Join us for a dance party with a DJ, drinks & snacks, games and prizes for the best dressed dinosaur and the judges’ favorite dino t-shirts!

Get ready to dance, sing along to the fun dinosaur-themed songs and have a prehistorically good time!

 

***********

 

SUMMER AT THE CENTER

Thank you for a fabulous 2023 summer of programs! Stay tuned for information on our 2024 Mondays at the Museum!

June 12 – Dino Days

June 19 – Rock N Roll Eruption

June 26 – Mad Matter

Ages 4* – 6 (*as of January 1, 2023)

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Fee for each class: 

$15 – BMNS members

$20 – Non-BMNS members

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

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