It’s where prehistory meets the 21st Century, where heroes beckon the young to dream their biggest dreams, and lessons of yesteryear still ring true.
It is the Museum of the Gulf Coast in downtown Port Arthur, Texas. This is where you will hear Janis Joplin’s iconic voice calling you, see sports superstars looming bigger than life, and world-renown artist Robert Rauschenberg daring you to see the image beyond the canvas.
The Museum of the Gulf Coast stands as a huge physical space, covering more than 39,000 square feet over two floors. Lauded for its Smithsonian-style presentation, the Museum features exhibits from the Gulf Coast’s Paleolithic beginnings to the 21st Century celebration of popular music, sports, and American icons of politics, theater, and art.
Where else can you find an actual Oscar statuette glistening near the bronze bust of Super Bowl Coach Jimmy Johnson, as strains of George Jones’ iconic twang echo in the next room?
The Museum of the Gulf Coast is a portal to another place, one of saltwater, reeds, alligators, and pirates. A 125-foot mural depicts the history of the area from prehistoric times to the discovery of oil at Spindletop.
From there, you’ll find a cascade of exhibits featuring the area’s pioneers and how they existed in this hard-scrabble land before electricity and modern comforts. You will be immersed in the explosive postwar era as the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana region makes itself known to the world.
Preserving Musical Heritage
More than 75 artists from Houston to New Orleans grace the Music Hall of Fame. The sound is eclectic as a jukebox thumps out Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, Western Swing, Hip-Hop, and Rap from national and international acclaimed artists.
The most famous is Janis Joplin. Her story plays out among relics from her childhood in Port Arthur and later as a superstar who belonged to the world. The centerpiece of the collection is a replica of Janis’ psychedelic Porche. Janis was passionate and soulful. Her voice and personality made her an icon among 1960s musical performers and her generation forever.
Those who preceded and influenced Janis are also displayed on the Museum’s walls: Harry Choates (the Father of Cajun Music), Johnny Preston (“Running Bear”), Harry James (Big Band orchestra leader), Blind Willie Johnson (landmark Blues singer and guitarist), and Tex Ritter (American Cowboy singer). All have ties to the region and are featured prominently in the Music Hall of Fame.
In the final three decades of the 20th Century, the Gulf Coast region gave birth to Rock & Roll brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, 90s Country music sensations Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, and Clay Walker, and a wave of Cajun music superstars like Wayne Toups, Clifton Chenier and his son C.J. Chenier.
At the base of the stairs leading to the mezzanine and the Music Hall of Fame is a tri-bust of Buddy Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and Richie Valenz, commemorating “The Day The Music Died.”
The Gulf Coast’s impact on today’s music, however, is alive and well and will continue to expand within the walls of the Museum of the Gulf Coast.
Attention, Sports Fans
Southeast Texas was once labeled the “Football Capital of the World.” Nearly 50 football players have been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. But football is not the only sport represented in the Hall. Boxers, Olympians, basketball players, martial artists, race car drivers, tennis players, and golfers are also honored among the exhibits.
Jimmy Johnson got his start in Port Arthur, playing for Thomas Jefferson High School. He became one of the greatest college and NFL coaches in the history of the sport. He is one of just three coaches to win an NCAA National Championship and a Super Bowl.
Beaumont, Texas football player Jerry LeVias help tear down the racial barriers that existed in collegiate sports. He was the first black player to receive a scholarship in the Southwestern Conference, playing for Southern Methodist University. LeVias endured extreme abuse but persevered. He still holds records at SMU and played nearly a decade in the NFL before becoming a successful businessman.
Children, History’s Future
Recent upgrades at the Museum include large touchscreen kiosks where visitors can read stories, listen to music, and hear the voices of those enshrined within the Museum. These are especially engaging to the many children who visit each year during school-related field trips. They present the stories of those who have come before and who have important messages that lead the way for future generations.
Especially poignant is the story of animator Kelly Asbury of Shrek, Toy Story, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. When Kelly was 12 years old, his father passed away from cancer. Asbury knew when his father died; he would have to grow up and take responsibility for his own success. Through that determination and a dedicated work ethic instilled by his mother, he found success. While working for DreamWorks in the early 2000s, he directed two feature films that were nominated for the Academy Award.
There are hundreds of stories that reside within the walls of the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Like the oil at Spindletop in 1901, these stories are waiting to be discovered.
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