Genome: The Secret of How Life Works

Saturday August 25, 2012 to Friday July 5, 2013

"Genome: The Secret of How Life Works," explored the nature and impact of our genes and the future implications of gene therapy, through visually-rich environments, artifacts and multi-media presentations. The exhibit examines the history of discovery from Gregor Mendel's rules of inheritance in the 19th century, to the famous Watson and Crick DNA double helix.

Visas for Freedom

Saturday April 14, 2012 to Sunday April 29, 2012

"Visas for Freedom: Spanish Diplomats and the Holocaust,” presented in cooperation among the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Government of Spain, Centro Sefarad Israel, City of College Station, City of Bryan and Texas A&M University, celebrated the humanitarian work of individuals who with their attitude and behavior helped to save thousands of lives and have risen to become an example and proof that it is always possible to resist injustice and barbarism. The exhibit featured a series of documents and photographs in honor of the humanitarian work and ethical commitment of Spanish diplomats who during World War II used their roles to save the lives of thousands of Jews condemned to extermination.

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The Heart Truth® Red Dress Collection

Friday October 1, 2010 to Sunday August 14, 2011

The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum presented, "The Heart Truth® Red Dress Collection and First Ladies Red Dress Collection.” Twelve celebrity red dresses from the Red Dress Collection Fashion Show, held annually in New York City, were on display including dresses worn by Vanessa Williams, Valerie Bertinelli, Heidi Klum, Danica Patrick, Paula Zahn, Katie Couric, Robin Roberts, Allison Janney, Christie Brinkley, Lee Ann Womack, Felicity Huffman and Dara Torres. The Heart Truth® is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, First Ladies' red dresses from the 13 Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration were displayed. The collection, originally initiated by The Heart Truth® Founding Ambassador Laura Bush, also featured some rarely seen gowns, including a dress belonging to Jacqueline Kennedy.

The Culture of Wine

Monday September 28, 2009 to Sunday August 22, 2010

“The Culture of Wine” exhibit unraveled the mystery, magic, and making of wine. Visitors learned about viticulture, including differences in soil types, vineyard management practices, and harvest techniques. The exhibit blended vineyard and winery equipment with stunning photo murals of wine growing. Visitors also got a look at the wine knowledge and passion of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson. Apart from his personal love of wine, Jefferson viewed it as an important cultural element in his young nation's success. The exhibit includes a partial reproduction of President Jefferson's Monticello dining room, including his famous fireplace with special hidden dumbwaiters leading directly to his wine cellar. Jefferson's keen knowledge of European wines also made him the perfect personal wine advisor to Presidents Washington, Madison, and Monroe.

Beyond the Moon: NASA's Continuing Mission

Friday September 19, 2008 to Sunday August 16, 2009

In conjunction with the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Presidential Library and Museum, and in partnership with NASA's Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, this exhibit told the story of America's exploration into the final frontier. The first phase of the exhibit began at the LBJ Library with man's fascination with the heavens through the first walk on the moon. The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library continued the story with the end of Apollo, Skylab, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station. Large scale models, original shuttle equipment, a shuttle simulator, and interactive programs were just a few of the items displayed.

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.