Museum of Texas Tech University | Lubbock

The Museum of Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a multidisciplinary museum operated by Texas Tech University. It serves as a center for research, education, and public engagement across several fields, including anthropology, art, history, paleontology, natural sciences, and heritage conservation. The museum also oversees satellite facilities such as the Lubbock Lake Landmark and the Natural Science Research Laboratory.

Overview

Address: 3301 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79415

Phone: (806) 742-2490

Admission: Free

Parking: Free, located on the north (4th Street) and west (Indiana Avenue) sides

Affiliation: Texas Tech University

The museum was established in 1929 and has grown to house more than 9.5 million objects and specimens. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is one of the most comprehensive academic museums in the Southwest.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Monday: Closed

Closed on major holidays and Texas Tech University holidays

Permanent Galleries and Exhibits

Diamond M Galleries

Features a remarkable collection of American Western art, including works by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, and N.C. Wyeth. The gallery includes both traditional and modern interpretations of Western themes.

Talkington Gallery of Art

Dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century art with a focus on Southwestern regional styles. This gallery rotates pieces from the museum’s large collection of contemporary art.

Davies Gallery of Southwest Indian Art

Highlights Native American art and artifacts, especially pottery, textiles, jewelry, and baskets, from various Southwestern tribal cultures.

Natural History Exhibits

Presents the natural heritage of Texas and the region, including:

Dinosaur fossils

Pleistocene megafauna (mammoths, saber-toothed cats)

Specimens of regional flora and fauna

Displays on geology and paleoenvironments

Ethnology and Cultural History

Features artifacts related to South Plains history, as well as ethnographic collections from around the world, showcasing cultural traditions, belief systems, and daily life.

Dr. Robert Neff and Louise Willson Arnold Wing

A newer gallery wing dedicated to temporary exhibitions, research exhibitions, and work from Texas Tech’s graduate program in Heritage and Museum Sciences.

Moody Planetarium

An integral part of the museum offering:

Full-dome digital projection

Astronomy education programs

Laser light music shows

Ticket Prices:

Adults: $5

Seniors (65+) / Students (6–18) / College Students with ID: $3

Children under 6 and Military: Free

The planetarium provides an immersive experience on topics ranging from the life cycle of stars to black holes and dark matter.

Natural Science Research Laboratory (NSRL)

Located behind the main museum building, NSRL is a major research facility with:

Over 5.5 million biological specimens

The largest collection of mammals in Texas

A major genetic resource center supporting global conservation and taxonomy research

Collections support work in ecology, evolution, disease vectors, and environmental change.

Lubbock Lake Landmark (Division of the Museum)

This is a significant archaeological and natural history preserve affiliated with the museum:

Evidence of 12,000 years of human occupation

A National Historic Landmark

Visitor center with exhibits and trails

Site for ongoing research and public archaeology

Special Features and Educational Programming

Heritage and Museum Sciences Graduate Program: An academic program training future museum professionals.

Public Lectures and Workshops: Topics include archaeology, conservation, art history, and natural sciences.

School Tours and Outreach: Curriculum-based tours for K–12 and university students.

Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly rotating exhibitions on science, culture, and art.

Gift Shop and Visitor Services

The museum includes a small gift shop open Tuesday through Saturday with books, souvenirs, and locally made crafts.

Fully wheelchair accessible.

Offers sensory backpacks for guests with sensory processing needs.

Notable Current or Recent Exhibitions

“History on Canvas: The Buffalo Soldier Revisited”: A collection of 30 paintings by artist Bob Snead depicting the African American soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry during the late 1800s.

Summary

The Museum of Texas Tech University stands out for its breadth of subject matter, academic integration, and accessibility to the public. It functions both as a traditional museum and a hub for education and research, serving the Lubbock community and the wider region with engaging exhibits, scholarly resources, and public programming.