We are located right smack in the middle of all the Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas excitement! Look what just arrived in our gift shop! We have more, but our models are underpaid and under appreciated! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The deadline for entries for the Art Competition will be extended until February 17. We are already in the process of changing exhibits, and you'll be able to check out the work of our professional guest artists, Ted Ellis and Carolyn Crump during Mardi Gras. Pick up your entry forms at the Museum or download them at www.museumofthegulfcoast.org today! Contest is open to 2D and 3D artists of all ages. Limit 2 pieces per artist. Prizes will be awarded. Children's entries are free. Adult entry fees ($10) will go towards a cash prize for "Best in Show". Contest will be judged and prizes awarded March 10 on our FREE Family Fun Day.

You can learn a lot about Port Arthur’s rich history here at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Then, you can take some of it home with you and learn more! Both of these books have tons of pictures of yesteryear and are available in our gift shop.

Our new collection of stuffed animals includes some armadillos, the state small mammal of Texas! Stop by our gift shop today to get you one...or more!

This is just a few of the couples and families that visited the museum on Friday, December 29. They include Andrew and Linda Stevens, formerly of Southern England and now residents of North Harris County. Also this week alone we welcomed some people from Mexico, a lovely couple from Sweden, and a gentleman from Puerto Rico. A very strong finish for 2017! We hope to see you here in 2018, especially if you’ve never checked this place out for yourself! You’ll have a better understanding for why people from all over the world are visiting Port Arthur, TX!!

Happy New Year's and best wishes from the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Note the museum is open today Dec. 30, 2017 but will be closed Monday and Tuesday January 1 & 2, 2018. See you next year.

As we prepare for the New Year, the Museum would like to announce its first exhibtion of 2018. Come see artist Ted Ellis and Friends on exhibition Feb. 3 - April 30. Our 3rd Annual Children's Art Competition this year is open to artists of all ages and will be accepting entries from January 5th - February 3rd. Children's entries are free, and adult entries are $10/each. Cash and other prizes will be awarded, and the winners will be exhibited with the professional artists over Mardi Gras weekend and until the end of March. Entry forms can be downloaded at: http://www.museumofthegulfcoast.org/temporary

Time is running out! The No Man's Land, which recognizes the thousands of African Americans from East Texas who served during WWI, will be coming down soon. Holiday hours: December 28-30 9 am to 5 pm December 31-January 2 CLOSED January 3-6 9 am to 5 pm

If you're looking for a last minute Christmas gift, consider getting the Janis fan in your family a ticket to "A Night With Janis Joplin" at the beautiful Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts in Orange! This is a musical journey that celebrates Janis and the music icons that inspired the Port Arthur native to become a rock-and-roll legend! Ticket info is available on www.lutcher.org. http://lutcher.org/lutcher_events/a-night-with-janis-joplin/

Bob Hope students enjoy learning by playing in our new Texas Navy - Maritime Gallery today. The most popular activity is definitely building the bridge (the touchable sea creatures in the "Estuaries" section have been a hit too). Parents, it looks like some old-fashioned building blocks might be a better Christmas present than a flashy new touch screen (lol).

You can now follow us on Instagram! Be patient with us!! We are slowly figuring how it all works! :) www.instagram.com/museumofthegulfcoast