Last updated: 3/19/2013
1300 S. University-Parks
Waco, TX 76706
One Bear Place 97154
Waco, TX 76706
Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
Group discounts availabe with advanced reservations.
Adults: $6
Seniors (over 65): $5
Members: free
Children (18 mo - 12 yrs): $4
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Ellie Caston
phone: 254-710-4836
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Lesa Bush
phone: 254-710-1048
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Tom Haddad
phone: 254-710-7671
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Mark Smith
phone: 254-710-1187
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The Sue & Frank Mayborn Natural Science and Cultural History Museum Complex at Baylor University includes the Harry & Anna Jeanes Discovery Center, the Gov. Bill & Vara Daniel Historic Village (closed for renovations until May 2012), and the Strecker Museum Collection. The Mayborn Museum Complex brings together in one location the resources of hands-on discovery rooms and interactive natural science and cultural history galleries, including outdoor exhibits. This unusually rich combination provides a wide spectrum of engaging learning opportunities for all types of learners and visitors of all ages. The exhibits and education programs encourage families to learn together as they make choices and design their own museum experience.
The multifaceted Museum Complex also serves as a learning laboratory for Baylor University students in the Department of Museum Studies, as well as many other disciplines across campus.
The John K. Strecker Museum is one of the oldest museums in the Southwest. Its origins can be traced back to Independence, Texas in 1856 when the Science Department at Baylor University began a collection of minerals and scientific curiosities to supplement instruction. In 1893, university officials announced that the collections would become a museum. In 1940, the museum was named after John K. Strecker, Jr., who had served as curator from 1903 to 1933 and helped the museum receive national and worldwide recognition. His curatorship was marked by expansion of the museum, a great amount of field work, and the publication of scientific studies by the museum staff.
The Strecker Museum was housed in the Sid Richardson Science Building from 1968 until 2004. Its collections were then moved to the new Mayborn Museum Complex and are now on display as part of the "Waco at the Crossroads of Texas" exhibit. The Harry and Anna Jeanes Discovery Center was first started as the Youth Cultural Center in 1962 by the Waco City Council PTA. It was created to give children "a place to look, think, and learn." The center's name was changed to the Ollie Mae Moen Discovery Center in 1994 in honor of Mrs. Moen who helped found and run the center until 1982. In 2004 the center was closed and its collections were moved to the Mayborn Museum Complex and can now be seen in the discovery rooms.
The Mayborn Museum Complex also includes the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village. The 15 wood frame buildings of the village were originally located north of Houston on the Plantation Ranch of Governor Daniel. The buildings and approximately 6,000 artifacts were donated by the family and moved to their present location in 1986. Today, they offer visitors a chance to understand Texas? agricultural heritage and what it was like to live in a cotton-farming community in the late 1800s.
Biology collection includes world-wide holdings of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, bird skins, eggs, and nests and mammals. Archaeology collection numbers approximately 25,000 and includes basketry, lithic material, and projectile points, from Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico.
History/Ethnography collection numbers approximately 35,000 and includes a variety of materials from around the world, with large concentrations of holdings representing India, the Far East, and Africa. Historic materials are largely 19th-century artifacts, representative of those found in Texas and the Southwest.
Paleontology collection numbers approximately 15,000 specimens and includes holdings from much of North America with a concentration in Cretaceous age Texas. Rocks and Minerals collection numbers approximately 5,000 specimens.
The museum offers a wide variety of school programs that complement Texas school curriculums. Guided group tours are available with advanced request. The Jeanes Discovery Center also offers discovery boxes containing teaching materials for a wide range of subjects. These boxes may be checked out by both teachers and the general public. The museum also works with other community groups to offer lectures and activities. Please check our website for more information.
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Access: Students
Appointment required: No
E-newsletters are sent out monthly to subscribers.
The Mayborn Museum Store is the perfect place to end your day at the museum. You can look through so many toys and games, novelty items, gems and minerals, jewelry and tons of books. Children will love our pick-your-own rocks assortment, as well as letting the store staff crack open a carefully chosen geode. Kids of all ages will love wandering through over 2,000 square feet of fun! Come in and see why we were voted "Best Museum Store in Waco"!
Don't forget, museum members receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store
The Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University is designed for people of all ages and learning styles to visit again and again. For a very affordable way to visit often, consider a membership to the museum so you can Engage ~ Explore ~ Enjoy to your heartÆs content. Discover a new experience each time you visit. For membership information call or email Misty Thornton at (254)710-1180.
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
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