Museum of the Southwest

The Museum of the Southwest operates across a complex that includes an art gallery, a children's museum, and a planetarium — a surprising breadth for a city of Midland's size. The art collection focuses on American art with a particular emphasis on the Southwest: Native American pottery and artifacts, paintings of the region's landscapes, and rotating exhibitions that bring contemporary work to West Texas.

The children's museum adjoining the main building is notably good — interactive and well-funded, reflecting the oil-money philanthropy that has consistently supported Midland's cultural institutions. The planetarium hosts regular shows and is one of the better small-city planetariums in Texas.

The museum sits in the Turner Mansion on West Missouri Avenue, a few blocks from downtown. Entry fees vary by section; the grounds and exterior can be enjoyed without admission.

things to do museum
A story
The Museum of the Southwest occupies the Turner Mansion, a 1934 Italian Renaissance Revival house built by oilman Fred Turner Jr. When his wife Mildred donated it to the city in 1965 as a museum, it was one of the grander private residences in West Texas. The mansion itself is often as interesting to visitors as the collections inside.