Texas Science & Natural History Museum
EST. 2023
2400 Trinity Street, Austin, TX, USA

Texas Science & Natural History Museum
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The majestic Great Hall an the Texas Science & natural History Museum boasts towering 40-foot walls adorned with limestone and red Pyrenees marble, complemented by intricate brass accents and magnificent Art Deco glass block windows equipped with motorized UV shades.
The Lowdown
Type
Historic BuildingMuseumOther
Views
CityscapeHistorical MonumentLandscaped GroundsStreet
Style
Art Deco
Elegant
Best type of Celebrations
Charity Event
Corporate Event
Holiday Party
Networking Events
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception
Reunion
Social Event
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception

Venue Setting

While preparing for the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebrations, politicians and other citizens realized that Texas did not have a state museum. With this joint effort, Texas Memorial Museum (TMM) was born, and opened to the public in 1939. TMM was, at first, the state natural history museum, but was transferred to The University of Texas at Austin in 1959.

After a closure in 2022 for extensive renovations, the museum underwent a re-branding and became Texas Science & Natural History Museum. Nestled in the heart of Austin on the northern edge of The University of Texas campus, the museum showcases breathtaking 1930s Art Deco architecture, both indoor and outdoor event spaces, and exclusive access to museum exhibits for guests.

Capacity

Seated
240
Buffet
N/A
Standing
800
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Additional charges

Resources available for an additional fee include staging, additional AV support, and parking.

Insurance

Additional Insurance May Be Required Depending On The Event

Connect
Call Venue
Event Logistics and Amenities
(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)
Celebrations hosted here since
2023
Curfew
2 AM
Venue spaces
Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
Catering
Client Can Select The Caterer Of Their Choice
Alcohol
BYO Permitted – You Can Bring Your Own Alcohol
Licensed Server Is Required
Music
Indoors & Outdoors
Smoking
Non-smoking Venue
Eco/Green Events
Yes
Kid Friendly Events
Yes
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Amenities
  • A/V Equipment
  • Street Parking
  • Wifi
  • Dining Chairs
  • Dining Tables
  • Onsite Restrooms
Venue Features
The scene:
In January 1936, ground was broken for the museum by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. After three years of renovations, Texas Memorial Museum opened to the public. 85 years later, the museum continues to be a place for excitement and education, and is a hidden gem of UT campus. The gorgeous 1930s Art Deco structure houses four floors full of unique exhibits, from dinosaur tracks to breakthroughs in fashion technology.

When guests enter the museum's Great Hall they are met with the "Texas Titans" —a suspended pterosaur boasting a 33-foot wingspan, and a 33-foot tyrannosaur—creating an unforgettable backdrop for any occasion. Transformable into an elegant event space accommodating up to 250 guests, the Great Hall serves as an ideal setting for dinners, ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions, offering a unique opportunity to dance beneath the stars and beside ancient giants.

Adjacent to the museum lies the expansive Natural Resources Patio and the museum's lawn, accommodating up to 800 guests. Recent renovations have allowed us to restore this patio to its orignial coloration, and all pavers have been replaced within the last year.
Design:
The majestic Great Hall boasts towering 40-foot walls adorned with limestone and red Pyrenees marble, complemented by intricate brass accents and magnificent Art Deco glass block windows equipped with motorized UV shades. The brass cornice around the perimeter of the hall is embedded with LED uplighting, customizable in color and intensity. What is used as the museum's admissions desk during the day can be transformed into a spacious bar front, above which is a monitor, perfect for a bar menu or welcome slide.

Outside, the grand Natural Resources Patio is outfitted with a 150 ft x 25 ft permanent tent. This versatile space can effortlessly transition into a lavish reception area or an intimate dining locale. With 100-amp power on the north and south sides of the patio, bistro lights underneath the tent canopy, and the option for the installation of tent walls, the tented patio is the perfect spot for nearly any large event.
Standout venue features:
The rental price includes access to all exhibits for all guests. Discover spectacular fossils of plants and animals that once inhabited the lands and waters of Texas, see treasures from the geological collections, including meteorites, tektites and invertebrate fossils, and explore the science and creativity present in research developments by UT Austin faculty and students in rotating exhibits on our top floor.
Extra perks:
  • (10) 30" Cocktail Tables
  • (10) 60" Round Dinner Tables
  • (10) 6' Folding Tables
  • (100) Fruitwood Folding Chairs
  • (2) 75" Monitors on Casters
  • Simple PA system
  • Catering prep kitchen
  • Admissions desk available for use as bar-front
  • On-site venue manager and one security guard
Celebration Locations
This section outlines the various spaces available within the venue for different types of events.
Great Hall
The Great Hall is the home to the Texas Titans - the giant pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropi and our new tyrannosaur - with plenty of room for a seated dinner or an elegant standing reception.
Max capacity: 225
Natural Resources Patio
This gorgeous outdoor space can accommodate seated or standing events. A large tent is available for outdoor events.
Max capacity: 600

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Texas Science & Natural History Museum
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