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Opened in 1957, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is home to thousands of historically significant artifacts, exhibits focusing on cultural history, and a hands-on children's science area. Having served over 100,000 patrons, the museum covers over 40,000 square feet. Its exhibits include the H-E-B Science Center, the Rio Grande Civil War Trail, Prehistoric Predators and Prey, Corpus Christi History, the Doc McGregor North Beach Gallery, Seeds of Change, Cultural Encounters, Shipwreck, the Kennedy Gallery, the Hall of Earth Science, Coastal Ecology, and the Xeriscape Gardens. The museum also offers children's summer programs, including the Science Explorers Camp.

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The Museum of Science and History stands on North Chaparral Street, close to the Harbor Bridge and Mesquite Street. Their collections house over 500 years of Texas history and includes a hands-on children's science center. Other exhibits include "The Rio Grande Civil War Trail" and "Prehistoric Predators and Prey," as well as several cultural history exhibits. 

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

This tour's focus is on the museums located around the city of Corpus Christi, TX. From museums honoring and promoting cultural diversity to the visually impressive USS Lexington. Art, science, culture, and history can all be found in this beautiful coastal city tour. A great opportunity to take in more of the city than just sandy beaches and scenic ocean views.

Julius Lichtenstein, born in Indianola, Texas, moved with his parents to Corpus Christi in 1874. The family soon became leaders of the Southern Texas business community. The house was built in 1905 and features aspects of both Colonial Revival and Queen Anne architectural style and originally stood nine blocks south of its current location. It was moved in 1929 to Corpus Christi's Heritage Park. The house now is home to the Instituto of Cultura Hispanica which was founded in 1976 by Mr. Juan Jose Gussoni, Mr. Sergio Villarreal, Dr. Efren Suris, Dr. Jose E. Antoni, and Mr. Evaristo Tercilla. The museum seeks to provide understanding of different Hispanic cultures, and holds lectures, recitals, folklore exhibits, and festivals throughout the year. Admission to the museum is free.

The Instituto De Cultura Hispánica De Corpus Christi (the Institute of Hispanic Cultures) is a museum dedicated to promoting awareness about Hispanic cultures in the city. Founded in 1976, the institute achieves this goal through collaboration with local institutions and offers lectures, recitals in Spanish and English, theater performances, folklore displays, and hosts social gatherings. It is located in the Julius Lichtenstein House, which was built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places 1983. The house was named a State Historical Landmark in 1976.

Julius Lichtenstein House / Instituto De Cultura Hispánica De Corpus Christi

Founded in the 1960s by Billie Trimble Chandler, the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures acts as a "bridge" between Asian and Texas culture. Exhibits include both permanent and traveling exhibits, such as the "Korean Exhibit," which includes both displays and interactive pieces, and the "India in Colour and Sound" exhibit. The museum also has a classroom space, and offers programs teaching subjects such as Asian storytelling and folklore, origami, calligraphy, using chopsticks, games, and Asian cultures in general. The museum space is also available to rent, and private or guided tours can be arranged outside of normal business hours.

Located in Corpus Christi, the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures preserves and promotes the cultural diversity of Asian cultures. It was founded in the 1960s by Billie Trimble Chandler who spent several years working as a teacher in Asia and collected artifacts from several countries during her time overseas. Her collection served as the basis for the museum which has grown during the past few decades. The museum offers exhibits (including traveling exhibits) featuring numerous artifacts as well as educational programs, such storytelling and hands on activities. 

Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures

Originally housed in the Centennial Museum, the Art Museum of South Texas began in 1945. In the 1960s, the Art Museum had overgrown the confines of the Centennial building, and local philanthropists and civic leaders began efforts to fund a new space for the museum. In October 1972, the current location on Shoreline Boulevard was officially opened to the public. Throughout the 1970s the Museum added several Modernist pieces as well as a collection of work from Dorothy Hood. In 1995, the Museum become officially associated with Texas A&amp;M University - Corpus Cristi. After Dorothy Hood's death in 2001, the Museum acquired much of her estate, including her studio archives. The museum nearly doubled in size in 2006, under the supervision of architect Ricardo Legorreta.

This vibrant regional art museum opened in 1972 and features the work of artists from throughout Texas and other states, as well as Mexico. In addition to seasonal exhibitions and special programs, the museum offers exhibitions from its collection of over 1500 works. The building features floor-to-ceiling windows and was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson and is made largely from white shellcreete and plaster. Highlights of the museum include the collection of modernist painter Dorothy Hood and Texas artist Billy Hassell. 

Art Museum of South Texas

The USS Lexington was
built for use during WWII and is a vintage Essex Class aircraft carrier. She
was a flagship for a majority of her service under Admiral Marc Mitscher. The
submarine was located at Fort Knox being constructed on June 16, 1942&nbsp;when
the United States&nbsp;decided to change its name, and Knox agreed to it. She
was then launched on September 23, 1942 and commissioned on February 17, 1943
with Captain Felix Stump in command. The ship got its name, "The Blue
Ghost", from the Japanese because the ship would appear randomly after
reportedly being sunk.&nbsp;Due to the awareness that Japan was watching the
USS Lexington, she appeared at Pearl Harbor on August 9, 1943.&nbsp;

While in Pearl
Harbor,&nbsp;the ship and its jets&nbsp;air raided the base of Tarawa and Wake
Island between September and October. After these voyages she returned to Pearl
Harbor to prepare for the Gilbert Islands operations. During the raid of the
Gilbert Islands her jets brought down twenty-nine enemy aircrafts. The USS
Lexington was very proactive during WWII. Between battles and task forces she
was always right in the middle of the action. The USS Lexington was
decommissioned at Bremerton, Washington April 23, 1947 and then went into the
National Defense&nbsp;Reserve Fleet. During her decommission she was revamped
and got new parts added to her including a steam catapults. The ship was then
commissioned in August of 1955 under Captain A. S. Heyward. She sailed a 6th
month deployment with the 7th fleet.&nbsp;

The ship continued to
partake in tours with various fleets until she became a training fleet. The USS
Lexington operated out of her home ports in Pensacola, New Orleans, and her now
permanent home, Corpus Christi. The ship prepared the Navy and Marine Corps for
vital operations in Vietnam. She continued this training until November 8, 1991
where she was decommissioned again and struck.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thankfully USS
Lexington did not suffer any major damage, just a small fire. After this
incident, the ship was officially decommissioned in 1991. She was brought to
Corpus Christi in 1992 as a result of fundraising. The USS Lexington now serves
as a naval aviation museum. &nbsp;

The USS Lexington is an aircraft carrier that was built for the United States Navy during World War II. The builder was the Fore River Shipyard. This was the fifth ship that had been named in the honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington. The ship was originally suppose to be named "Cabot" but because the C-2 USS Lexington was lost in battle, they renamed it. The USS Lexington was commissioned in February of 1943 and did extensive service through the Pacific War. The ship was the recipient of 11 battle stars for all its work. The USS Lexington now resides in Corpus Christi, Texas at the museum. 

Museum Tour of Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

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