Local museums entertain, educate

By Ana Khan Published 4:09 pm, Wednesday, May 9, 2018

A view of the gallery featuring works by Lien Truong in the exhibition "in(di)visible" at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art. Photo: Michael Stravato

Photo: Michael Stravato Image 1 of 10 A view of the gallery featuring works by Lien Truong in the exhibition "in(di)visible" at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art.

1940 Air Terminal Museum

History of aviation and a daily air show. 8325 Travelair, 713-454-1940; 1940airterminal.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $5 adults; $2 children. SE

American Cowboy Museum

Art, history and culture that shaped the development of the American West. 11822 Almeda, 713-478-9677; americancowboymuseum.org. Open to visitors by appointment. $10 adults; $9 children. SE Recommended Video: Now Playing: Spring Break at the Children's Museum of Houston

Children play in the Human Hamster Balls during the XTreme Spring Break event at the Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St., Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Houston. Media: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Art Car Museum

A Houston classic merging cars and modern art. 140 Heights, 713-861-5526; artcarmuseum.com. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sun. Free. Inner Loop

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

MFAH house museum for American decorative arts, paintings and furniture. 6003 Memorial, 713-639-7750; mfah.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $12.50 adults; $11 students and seniors; $6.25 children ages 10-18. Inner Loop

Blaffer Art Museum

Contemporary art on University of Houston campus. June 1-Aug. 11, "Immortality for All: A Film Trilogy on Russian Cosmism" and "The Future Is Certain: It's the Past Which Is Unpredictable." 4173 Elgin, 713-743-9521; blafferartmuseum.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Free. Inner Loop

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science

Fossils, mammoth bones, a seashell collection and an interactive children's area. 400 College, Clute, 979-265-7831; bcfas.org/museum2014. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 2-5 p.m. Sun. Free. SE

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Exhibits, workshops, re-enactments and research dedicated to African-American soldiers. 3816 Caroline, 713-942-8920; buffalosoldiermuseum.com. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. $10; $5 seniors and students; 5 and under free. Inner Loop

Children's Museum

Exhibits emphasize hands-on learning. 1500 Binz, 713-522-1138; cmhouston.org. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., noon-6 p.m. Sun. $12; $11 seniors. Inner Loop

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Cutting-edge international, national and regional art. Through Aug. 5, "Right Here, Right Now: San Antonio." Through Aug. 25, "Cary Leibowitz: Museum Show." 5216 Montrose, 713-284-8250; camh.org. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Wed. and Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun., closed Mon. Free. Inner Loop

Dunham Bible Museum

Exhibits of ancient and medieval manuscripts, examples of the earliest printed Bibles, and displays of the earliest English and American Bibles tell the story of the Bible's preservation, history, transmission and influence. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Special tours by appointment. In the Morris Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Houston Baptist University. 7502 Fondren, 281-649-3287; hbu.edu/biblemuseum. Free. SW

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Exhibits explore George H.W. Bush's life and presidency. Through Jan. 6, "Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion," the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci through over 30 machines based on his visionary designs. Through Jan. 2, "Mapping Texas: From Frontier to the Lone Star State," traces the cartographic history of Texas from the 16th to the

19th century, through 26 reproduction maps split into seven different subjects. 1000 George Bush Drive W., College Station, 979-691-4000; bush41.org. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. Adults $9; seniors and retired military $7; youth (6-17) and college students $3. NW

The Health Museum

Exhibits explore the body and mind, with interactive videos, a 4-D theater and healthy eating classes. 1515 Hermann, 713-521-1515; thehealthmuseum.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Sun. $10 adults; $8 ages 3-12 and seniors; 2 and under free. Inner Loop

Holocaust Museum Houston

Chronicles the role hatred, bigotry and bias played during the Holocaust. Not recommended for children younger than 10. 9220 Kirby, 713-942-8000; hmh.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. $12; $8 seniors. Inner Loop

Houston Fire Museum

Explores the history of Houston's fire department. 2403 Milam, 713-524-2526; houstonfiremuseum.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. $5 adults; $4 seniors; $3 children. Inner Loop

Houston Maritime Museum

Eight galleries covering maritime history. 2204 Dorrington, 713-666-1910; houstonmaritime.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. $5; $3 children 3-12; free 2 and younger. SE

Houston Museum of African American Culture

Art exhibits, film screenings and educational programs. 4807 Caroline, 713-526-1015; hmaac.org. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. Inner Loop

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Exhibits of dinosaurs, amber gems and rare fossils, Burke Baker Planetarium, IMAX and more. Current exhibitions through September: "Death by Natural Causes," "Message in a Bottle," "Tourmaline Treasures" "The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes." 5555 Hermann Park Drive, 713-639-4629; hmns.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun. $25 adults; $15 children, seniors and college students; free 2-5 p.m. Thurs. Inner Loop

Lone Star Flight Museum

Aviation museum and STEM learning center with a mission to preserve, educate and inspire. The new $38 million facility at Ellington Airport includes Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, historic aircraft and dynamic hands-on exhibits. 11551 Aerospace Ave., 346-708-2517; lonestarflight.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon. starting May 28. $20 adults, $18 young adult (12-17), $16 seniors (65&) and children (4-11), $12 military. $2 discount if booked online. SE

Menil Collection

Permanent collection of John and Dominique de Menil includes art from antiquity, the Byzantine world, tribal cultures and the 20th century. The main museum building is closed through the summer, but the Cy Twombly Gallery, Dan Flavin Installation at Richmond Hall and Byzantine Fresco Chapel remain open. Through Oct. 28, "The Fabiola Project," Byzantine Fresco Chapel installation by Francis Alÿs. 1533 Sul Ross, 713-525-9400; menil.org. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Wed.-Sun. Free. Inner Loop

Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts

History and culture of Texas settlers between 1830-1930. Houston Baptist University campus, 7502 Fondren, 281-649-3000; hbu.edu. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat. $6; $5 seniors; $4 children 12 and under. SW

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Permanent collection spans 6,000 years of history. Through May 28, "Radicals and Revolutionaries: America's Founding Fathers" features paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the museum's collections, along with several works from other Houston collections. Through June 3, "Modernism on the Ganges," Raghubir Singh photographs. Through June 10, "Michelangelo and the Vatican," masterworks by Michelangelo and his successors. Through June 17, "Passion for Perfection, The Straus Collection of Renaissance Art," the Straus Collection, donated to the museum in 1941. Through June 24, "Eye on Houston," showcasing photographs by students from high schools across Houston ISD. Through July 29, "Extravagant Objects," jewelry and objets d'art from the Masterson Collection. Through Aug. 19, "Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India," an exhibition of royal Indian treasures. Through Sept. 3, "A History of Photography: Selections From the Museum's Collection," a series of installations that trace the course of photography from its invention to the present day. June 24-Sept. 16, "Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age," experimental works by Dutch designer Joris Laarman. Through Nov. 18, "Reflection and Enlightenment," a selection of Chinese Buddhist gilt bronzes from the collection of Jane and Leopold Swergold. Through Dec. 30, "Spanish Colonial Paintings," a selection of paintings from the collection of Carl and Marilynn Thoma. Through Dec. 30, "Arts of Islamic Lands," selections from the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait. 1001 Bissonnet, 713-639-7300; mfah.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Wed., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., closed Mon. $15; $10 seniors and military; $7.50 students and youths 13-18; free children 12 and under. Free general admission Thursdays. Inner Loop

Museum of the Gulf Coast

Permanent exhibits include a section on Native Americans, European contact, the Civil War, economic and cultural growth, the petroleum industry and the maritime history of the region. Through June 9, "Submerged," paintings and quilts by Amy Morris. June 16-Aug. 11, "A Cast of Blues," features resin-cast masks of blues legends. Aug. 18-Jan. 5, "The Great Outdoors With Ed Holder," a display of Holder's photographs with wildlife art by local artists and vintage hunting and fishing equipment. 700 Procter, Port Arthur; 409-982-7000; museumofthegulfcoast.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. $6, $5 senior and college students, $3 children. SE

National Museum of Funeral History

America's largest collection of authentic, historical funeral service items. Exhibits include presidential funerals, the history of embalming, 19th century mourning, historical hearses and more. 415 Barren Springs, 281-876-3063; nmfh.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 children ages 6-11. NW

Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Whimsical folk art monument, a maze of mosaics, statues and silliness. 2402 Munger, 713-926-6368; orangeshow.org. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Admission is $5, kids 12 and younger free. Inner Loop

The Printing Museum

Antique printing presses, rare books and newspapers. 1324 W. Clay, 713-522-4652; printingmuseum.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. $8; $6 seniors; free for kids 12 and younger. Inner Loop

Project Row Houses

Historical preservation meets art and community at Third Ward shotgun houses, which provide studio and gallery space for artists. 2521 Holman, 713-526-7662; projectrowhouses.org. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun. Free. Inner Loop

Rienzi

Docent-led tours of River Oaks mansion housing MFAH's European decorative-arts collection. 1406 Kirby, 713-639-7800; mfah.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. Reserve tour spot online or call; $8 adults, $5 seniors, students and youth. Inner Loop

Rothko Chapel

Contemplative space contains 14 murals created by American artist Mark Rothko. 3900 Yupon, 713-524-9839; rothkochapel.org. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Free. Inner Loop

San Jacinto Monument

Monument and museum tells the story of Texas' independence from Mexico and details heroes of the battle and early days of Republic of Texas. 1 Monument Circle, La Porte, 281-479-2421; sanjacinto-museum.org. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Free; special exhibits, $2-$5; observation floor $2-$4. Free for military. SE

Space Center Houston

Interactive exhibits for kids and historical artifacts for adults. 1601 NASA Parkway, 281-244-2100; spacecenter.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $29.95 adults; $27.95 seniors; $24.95 children; kids 3 and younger free. SE

Stark Museum of Art

Through June 2, "Paul Kane: Intrepid Artist and Adventurer." 712 Green Ave., Orange, 409-886-2787; starkculturalvenues.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Admission is $2-$6. SE

Station Museum of Contemporary Art

Art reflecting the cultural diversity of Houston. June 2-Sept. 3, "NKAME: A Retrospective of Cuban Printmaker Belkis Ayon." 1502 Alabama, 713-529-6900; stationmuseum.com. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sun. Free. Inner Loop