North Beach Past and Future’ joins the ‘Greetings from North Beach’ exhibit at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. The photo exhibit explores the area’s past, present, and potential future. Courtesy photo
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History reopened for visitors June 1 with three new exhibits and new membership deals.
“War and Peace on the Rio Grande 1861-1867” is a traveling exhibit in partnership with the NAACP that showcases the Civil War history of the South Texas region. Open through October 2020, it features colorful characters, dramatic events, life-size mannequins, and authentic Civil War artifacts that portray the history of the 200-mile corridor between Brownsville and Laredo.
Another temporary exhibit, “North Beach Past and Future” now hangs in the McGregor gallery through a partnership with the Blackard Group, a developer with plans to build residential and commercial properties in that area. The exhibit expands on the current "Greetings From North Beach" show. Guests are transported to the 1930s and '40s, when North Beach was a fast-growing cultural playground. Patrons will witness the decline of the North Beach area after the establishment of Harbor Bridge while glimpsing the potential bright future for the once-cherished social landmark by the bay.
“Prehistoric Predators and Prey” is a new permanent exhibit covering 2,000 square feet of space. It explores the ancient world of Texas dinosaurs and marine megafauna. Guests are immersed in the survival dance of the ocean-dwelling Mosasaur as it hunts giant nautilus-like Ammonite crustaceans. Also on display, Tyrannosaurus rex feeding on enormous plant-eating Sauropods, and a Pteranodon diving into the waters of the Western Interior Seaway in pursuit of ancient bony fish.
Displays will also feature tiny to gigantic flora and fauna fossils depicting how some Texas plants and sea life have adapted over time or stayed just the same.
Also, families are now being offered a two-for-one membership level. Purchase or renew a one-year family membership between now and July 1 and receive an additional free year of membership.
Precautions taken to ensure a clean and safe reopening include new protocols aligned with Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders:
• Visitors must have their temperatures taken with an infrared non-contact thermometer upon arrival. Those with fever/flu-like symptoms will be asked to return when feeling better.
• Staff will wear masks and gloves. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks, but masks are not required, as per the governor’s orders.
• Hand sanitizing stations are posted in six different locations.
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures with additional janitorial staff will disinfect surfaces each hour in high-traffic areas.
Also, the spacious 100,000-square-foot facility easily allows for social distancing of 6 feet or more.
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History at 1900 N. Chaparral St. is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays. Memberships have been extended for three months to cover the time the facility was closed for COVID-19. For more information, safety protocols, memberships, and tickets, visit ccmuseum.com.
