The Texas Energy Museum is a museum in Beaumont, Texas in the United States. The museum was formed in 1987 to tell the story of oil through state of the art exhibits including talking robotic characters.[2] The museum opened on January 10, 1990, the anniversary of the Spindletop gusher.[1]

Texas Energy Museum
A colo photograph of a building with the words "TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM" affixed to the front
The museum in 2024
Texas Energy Museum is located in Texas
Texas Energy Museum
Texas Energy Museum's location in Texas
Texas Energy Museum is located in the United States
Texas Energy Museum
Texas Energy Museum (the United States)
Established1987[1]
Location600 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701
Coordinates30°04′56.6″N 94°05′47.3″W / 30.082389°N 94.096472°W / 30.082389; -94.096472
TypeTechnology museum
Collection sizePetroleum technology artifacts - 2,000 items
Geology and paleontology specimens - 250
Petroleum well service equipment - 20 items
Petroleum exploration equipment - 200 items
Household items - 2,000
Research papers relating to Southeast Texas oilfields including Spindletop
Spindletop Oilfield photographs (1901-1902) - 87 images[1]
DirectorD. Ryan Smith
Public transit accessBMTS
Route #6 (Refinery)
Route #7 (South Park)
Route #8 (Pear Orchard)
Nearest parkingFree, adjacent to museum
WebsiteMuseum website

The museum is part of a concentration of several museums in the downtown Beaumont area. It is located adjacent to the Tyrrell Historical Library and the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. The Beaumont Children's Museum is temporarily located across the street in the Beaumont Civic Center. The Edison Museum and Fire Museum of Texas are within a few blocks.

The museum

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Men of Vision -- Energy Museum -- Beaumont, Texas

The museum has two floors of displays. The interactive exhibits "...focus on the geology, history and production of oil..."[3] The museum has several presentations about the Spindletop oil discovery and production. Collections include a combination of items from the Spindletop Museum of Lamar University and the Western Company of North America Museum.

Museum exhibits include:
Source:[4]

  • Formation - "Oil was formed over millions of years ago..."
  • Exploration - "By studying rock formations...petroleum geologists can predict a potential oil site..."
  • Drilling - "The mechanics of oil well drilling are simple..."
  • Refining - "...crude oil is transformed into consumer products..."
  • Spindletop - "The discovery of oil at Spindletop near Beaumont, Texas in 1901 revolutionized the oil industry..."

Hours and admission

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Source:[5]
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Admission: Adults $5.00, Children (6-12) $3.00, Seniors (65 & over) $3.00

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Texas Energy Museum". museumusa.org. MuseumsUSA. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "Texas Energy Museum". Beaumont Convention and Visitor Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  3. ^ Sheryl-Smith Rogers (December 2014). "3 Days in the Field: Mixing Oil and Water". Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "Virtual Museum Tour". Texas Energy Museum. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "Visitor Information". Texas Energy Museum. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
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