MIDLAND,
TEXAS
Click
here for additional information about Midland
MIDLAND,
TEXAS
Click
here for additional information about Midland
In 1880, the Texas Pacific Railroad began to lay tracks westward from Fort Worth at about the same time that the Southern Pacific began building east from El Paso. The place where the tracks met became known as Midway. Later, the name was changed to Midland when it was discovered that there was another Texas town by the same name.
Prior to WWI, Midland was a prosperous railroad town serving the surrounding ranching community. However, on May 27, 1923, the future of Midland would change with the discovery of oil. At 6:00 a.m., just 70 miles southeast of Midland, the Santa Rita No. 1 blew, changing the history of Midland, Texas.
Today, Midland is a thriving community of 99,186. Although petroleum products are still the economic mainstays, the community has a stable, multi-faceted economy. The Permian Basin, of which Midland is the geographic center, contains 22% of the nation’s oil reserves.
Midland RockHounds, franchised by the Oakland A’s, play Texas League baseball April – August.
Confederate Air Force / American Airpower Heritage Museum
Museum of the Southwest
Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum
Marian Blakemore Planetarium
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
Midland Downtown Lion’s Club Fire Museum
Haley Library and History Center
Summer Mummers / Yucca Theatre
American Airpower Heritage Museum
9600 Wright Drive (at Midland International Airport)
915.563.1000
Located with the Confederate
Air Force (CAF) Headquarters at Midland International Airport, the American
Airpower Heritage Museum (AAHM) is recognized for its collection of authentic
World War II artifacts, memorabilia and the world’s largest collection
of original aviation nose art. The museum houses 40,000 square feet of
"hands-on" permanent exhibits that detail the story of World War II airpower.
As part of the museum tour, visitors will also see between 14 and 20 aircraft
on display in the CAF hangar, with aircraft changing quarterly. A research
library and archives house a significant oral history collection and give
the public access to the museum’s abundant information resources. A seminar
series featuring World War II veterans is also part of the museum’s regular
agenda. Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Mon.-Sat. 9AM-5PM,
Sun. and holidays Noon – 5PM. Admission charged. Group rates available.
Nationally accredited.
Museum of the Southwest
1705 W. Missouri
915.683.2882
The Museum, housed in the Turner
Mansion posted in the National Register of Historic Places, collects and
exhibits art and archaeology from the American Southwest. It also hosts
traveling and temporary exhibitions covering a broad range of art, from
Currier & Ives to Andy Warhol, archaeology to astronomy. An annual
arts and crafts fair, Septemberfest, is held the weekend after Labor Day
and "Christmas at the Mansion" provides holiday entertainment for the entire
family beginning Thanksgiving weekend. J Open Tuesday through Saturday,
10 AM to 5 PM; Sunday 2 PM to 5 PM, closed on Monday and national holidays.
No admission charge. Nationally accredited.
Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum
1705 W. Missouri
915.683.2882
The children’s museum features
three exhibition areas filled with natural light from twelve skylights
and numerous glass block clerestory windows. The museum is an exciting
place that stresses interactive learning. Through pure creation and imagination,
the hands-on exhibits make learning fun. The museum is open Tuesday through
Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, 2 PM to 5 PM. Closed Mondays and holidays.
Guided tours by reservation. Call for program information. No admission
charge.
Marian Blakemore Planetarium
1705 W. Missouri
915.683.2882
What’s up in the sky? One of the largest planetariums in Texas, the Marian Blakemore Planetarium is the perfect place to learn about the history of astronomy, constellations, galaxies and black holes. Sit back and rest your head as the stars and planets take you deep into space. Sky shows for school groups, clubs and organizations are scheduled in advance. Public shows run Friday evenings and Sunday, with star viewing in the adjoining park, conditions permitting. Admission charged for non-members.
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
1500 Interstate 20 West
915.683.4403
Walk under an ancient sea;
parade through downtown Boomtown, and literally feel the ground shake beneath
you with the force of a nitroglycerin explosion. This interactive museum,
spread over 40 acres, takes you step by step through the dynamic search
for black gold. Life sized murals, ancient artifacts and colorful memorabilia
help you relive the Basin’s turbulent past. It also features the largest
collection of Tom Lovell paintings and antique drilling equipment in the
nation. Museum in s9pen 9AM to 5Pm Monday through Saturday; 2PM to 5PM
Sunday. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Even, Christmas
Day, and New Year’s Day. Admission charged.
Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum
1500 W. Wall
915.685.7340
This museum contains Midland’s
first two fire trucks and early fire fighting equipment. Photographs line
the walls, and an original collection of early fir markers are on exhibit.
School children are given special tours during Fire Protection Week. The
museum is an excellent education tool for learning about the early history
of fire fighting, and offers visitors a glimpse back into the early days
of Midland. The museum is open every day from 9AM to 9PM. No admission
charged.
Haley Library and History Center
1805 W. Indiana Ave.
915.682.5785
Learn all about Texas and southwestern
history, including the background of the cattle industry and the individuals
who started it. There are more than 30,000 collected volumes on display
covering western exploration, early railroads, the development of ranching,
mining, petroleum and politics. T/he library also contains one of the most
extensive collections in the world on the Lincoln County War and Billy
the Kid. You will be amazed at the extensive collection of Western bronze
sculptures, paintings, drawings and artifacts made available to the public.
The library is open 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. No admission charged.
Summer Mummers / Yucca Theatre
208 N. Colorado
915.682.4111
Catch a production chocked full of mayhem and hilarity performed at the historic Yucca Theatre in downtown Midland. Melodrama is a unique theatrical experience invented in the USA, and nobody does it as uniquely as the Summer Mummers, the oldest existing organization of its kind in the country. Bring the whole family to bash the bad guy with popcorn, or enjoy side-splitting laughter during the Olio. The fun runs from early June through Labor Day. Call for tickets and show times.