Born to Play Ball

Saturday March 1, 2008 to Sunday July 20, 2008

 This exhibit looked at some of baseball’s most famous players - fifty great players, five at every position, including groups for right- and left-handed pitchers, with honorable mentions at every spot. The players, all from eras after 1900, were selected for a number of reasons: batting statistics, defense and other accomplishments. Produced together with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the exhibit featured one-of-a-kind objects from private collectors, and artifacts and photographs from the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It also covered the Negro Leagues, Women's League, as well as Presidents and their special relationship to this most American game.

Trains: Tracks of the Iron Horse

Monday November 7, 2005 to Monday July 31, 2006

This ambitious exhibit explored America's love affair with trains, including rare and unique items such as the original gold spike that ceremonially completed the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. The exhibit featured a collection of historic and contemporary images by noted railroad photographers and hundreds of railroad artifacts including railroad china and scale models.

Texas: Lone Star Pride

Saturday July 2, 2005 to Thursday October 6, 2005

This exhibit highlighted Houston Chronicle photographer, E. Joseph Deering and his work that captured images of the Texas flag and the many displays of state pride and state love throughout Texas. Deering was amazed by the way images of the Texas flag popped up in the most unlikely places: the sides of barns, mailboxes, airplanes, porch swings, front doors, water towers, pickup trucks, cowboy boots, and even running shorts.

Discovering the World with Peter Sis

Monday April 25, 2005 to Monday July 4, 2005

 This exhibit showcased the work of internationally-acclaimed illustrator, author, and filmmaker, Peter Sís. His picture books for children are intricately drawn with graphic elegance and complexity that make them appealing to everyone. The books cover topics ranging from his father's experiences in Tibet to the persecution of the astronomer Galileo to Darwin’s travels aboard. Sis’ first acclaimed work was illustrating the 1986 Newbery Medal Winner, The Whipping Boy, by Sid Fleishman. With more than twenty books to his name, Sis is a five-time winner of The New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. He has published nearly 1,000 drawings in The New York Times Book Review and has designed many book jackets and posters.

The Diary of Friedrich Kellner

Friday April 1, 2005 to Monday May 30, 2005

This exhibit examined the diary of Friedrich Kellner, a political activist from Mainz, Germany, who sided with the Social Democrats and campaigned against the Nazi Party. When Hitler came to power and sought revenge against his political opponents, Friedrich Kellner moved his family to the small town of Laubach where he became the chief justice inspector in the district courthouse. He had access to police and prosecutors' records and trial documents. His open declarations against the miscarriages of justice caused him to be brought before a tribunal and threatened with imprisonment in a concentration camp. After that he spent his nights writing in a secret diary, at risk to his life, decrying the militarism of his countrymen and the insanity of their totalitarian leader.

Commemorating September 11th

Saturday September 11, 2004 to Sunday November 14, 2004

For the third anniversary remembering September 11, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum unveiled a section of steel from the World Trade Center towers donated by the Texas Engineering Extension Service's elite urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force 1. The steel structural beam, weighed in excess of 2,000 pounds. The exhibit, Commemorating September 11th, showcased photographs, artifacts and personal effects from the state's renowned urban search and rescue team.

As the world stood in shock from the devastating terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., seventy-two members of College Station-based Texas Task Force 1 prepared for deployment to New York City and spent seven days working 12-hour shifts at the World Trade Center site.

Fashioning Art: Handbags by Judith Leiber

Friday January 23, 2004 to Friday April 30, 2004

This exhibit, organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, showcased the work of handbag designer Judith Leiber. For more than 30 years, a Judith Leiber handbag has stood for the ultimate in craftsmanship and design. Judith Leiber bags have graced the arms of numerous First Ladies, including Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton and most recently, Laura Bush.

Treasures of China

Saturday August 30, 2003 to Sunday January 4, 2004

This unique exhibit juxtaposed contemporary Chinese art with its ancient counterparts. Thirty exotic paintings by Dominic Lam and Yang Jin Long surrounded Neolithic pottery, Tang sculpture, and intricate jade carvings. Visitors saw how the sensuous lines, exquisite color and a deft mastery of subject matter seen in Chinese art of the past, continue to inspire major Chinese artists of today.

Keith Ferris

Friday August 15, 2003 to Sunday January 4, 2004

The paintings of Keith Ferris were the focus of this exhibit that explored the world of aviation dating back to the 1930's.

Legends of the West

Saturday February 1, 2003 to Saturday July 5, 2003

This exhibit explored the spirit of the West that would forever change our history and our culture as a nation. It also inspired a young George Bush to come to Midland, Texas in 1948. It examined the art and culture of our nation's Western heritage through American art, history and cultural artifacts.