Mayborn Museum: The Future
The Mayborn Museum has embarked on a visionary plan to transform its natural science and cultural history wing. The $16 million capital campaign is the product of a ten-year plan for exhibit renovations will be executed in five phases.
Waco, Texas, sits at the crossroads of four distinct ecoregions, a rare convergence that has fostered remarkable biodiversity. Nestled at the meeting of the Bosque and Brazos Rivers, Waco’s unique location highlights its ecological significance and made it an ideal location for both animal and human habitation for thousands of years. As such, Waco is placed at the center of critical regional and global challenges, including economic inequity and the impacts of climate change. The Mayborn Museum serves as a gateway to these stories, uniquely positioned to inspire the community to imagine and build a brighter future.
In recent years, Waco has seen a 45% surge in tourism, signaling its growing potential as a cultural and educational hub. Yet, this growth has not reached all corners of the community. With a poverty rate of 25%—significantly higher than state and national averages—and many neighborhoods designated as Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), Waco faces persistent social and economic challenges.
A Vision for the Community: Reigniting Curiosity Campaign
Key Elements of the Renovation
- Community Co-Creation: Engaging local voices to shape exhibits and programs that reflect the richness and diversity of Central Texas history.
- Interactive Learning: Immersive, hands-on exhibits that offer engaging, multisensory experiences for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
- Cultural Preservation: Highlighting underrepresented narratives and safeguarding artifacts and stories integral to the identity of Central Texas communities.
- Exhibit Messaging: Designed to encourage visitors to take action or lead them to explore additional learning opportunities.
By redesigning the museum as a hub for discovery and connection, we will empower Waco’s residents to explore their heritage, deepen their understanding of the world, and contribute meaningfully to a shared future.
The Reigniting Curiosity Campaign is a collaborative effort that unites educators, historians, community leaders, and residents around a shared vision: to transform how we engage with history, science, and culture and to ensure that everyone—regardless of background or income—has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a vibrant cultural community. Together, we will inspire curiosity and ignite a brighter future for generations to come.
Learn more about the impact of Mayborn over the past twenty years by watching our 20th anniversary video.