The Institute of Texan Cultures opened in 1968 as the Texas Pavilion for the HemisFair World’s Fair in San Antonio showcasing the state’s diverse ethnic, cultural, and historic heritage.
The museum managed by the University of Texas at San Antonio closed the doors to the original site in May 2024 to make way for a new Spurs basketball arena. It reopened at the end of January in the Frost Tower. If the 180,000-square-foot museum on the edge of HemisFair Park was the attic of Texas history, then the 8,800 square feet of leased space is the broom closet.
At the corner of West Houston and Camaron streets, the nearly barren lobby takes up about a third of the museum with only a large tapestry on the wall.
The high ceiling of the main exhibit space makes the room seem larger than it is. There are only around three dozen items on display. Highlights are Robert Rodriguez’s director’s chair and a guitar owned by Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins.
Lightnin’ Hopkins’ guitar, Robert Rodriguez’s director’s chair, a low-rider tricycle, and a Tigua drum are among the items on display at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio Credit: Gerald E. McLeod
There is a Tigua drum, a Wendish black wedding dress, and the remains of a centuries-old dugout canoe. None of the items have an explanation for historical context.
The smaller second gallery hosts rotating exhibits. The current show honors the unique Texas high school tradition of wearing mums to homecoming football games.
Whether the university plans to build a permanent home for the institute is unclear. A museum that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion sponsored by a state university might be a political target. Hopefully such an important institution will find a permanent home because of Texas pride.
The Institute of Texan Cultures is at 111 W. Houston. Doors open Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Adults may be disappointed after paying the $10 entry fee. A parking garage nearby at 60 N. Flores St. offers free parking on Sunday.
ITC holds thousands of items in its collection but can display only a few items in its temporary location Credit: Gerald E. McLeod
1,793rd in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.
This article appears in February 13 • 2026.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.