Support the Campaign
Give TodayHelp bring these exhibits to life and ensure the Mayborn Museum continues to inspire curiosity for generations.
Cultural Crossroads Now Open
Cultural Crossroads explores the many cultures and peoples who have shaped Texas and Central Texas over time. Through immersive environments, historical objects, and interactive experiences, visitors discover how migration, trade, and cultural exchange influenced the traditions, music, and daily life of the region.
For centuries, Central Texas has been a meeting place of cultures. Indigenous communities, Tejano and Black communities, and immigrants, all contributed to the cultural landscape we experience today. This exhibition invites visitors to explore those stories—and reflect on how cultures continue to influence one another.
Why should I give?
Your support helps bring extraordinary stories to life at the Mayborn Museum. Through the Reigniting Curiosity Campaign, community support will transform the museum’s natural science and cultural history wing through a $16 million, five-phase renovation designed to expand exhibits, hands-on learning, and research opportunities for generations to come.
Waco sits at the crossroads of four distinct ecoregions and at the meeting of the Bosque and Brazos Rivers, a unique setting that has supported remarkable biodiversity and human communities for thousands of years. The Mayborn Museum is uniquely positioned to share these stories, and your gift helps ensure that visitors of all ages can explore the natural history, cultures, and discoveries that make Central Texas extraordinary.
Phased Renovation Plan
Learn about what's coming to the Mayborn
Phase 1 | Mammoth Bronzes and Cultural Crossroads
Now Open at the Mayborn
Cultural Crossroads explores the many cultures and peoples who have shaped Texas and Central Texas over time. Through immersive environments, historical objects, and interactive experiences, visitors discover how migration, trade, and cultural exchange influenced the traditions, music, and daily life of the region.
Phase Two | Texas Ecology
What Makes Land a Home
Phase two will highlight the power of museum collections to reveal how ecosystems change over time and how humans play a role within them. Through new displays featuring the remarkable Strecker Collection, visitors will encounter specimens that document the diversity of Texas life—past and present—and the scientific stories they hold.
Phase Three | Cretaceous Creatures
Ancient Life Unveiled
Phase Four | The Impact of Baylor Research
Fueling Discovery: Baylor's Impact on a Global Scale
Phase Five | Supporting Scientific Exploration
Improved collections storage for researcher access
How to Contribute
Every gift—no matter the size—helps bring the Reigniting Curiosity Campaign to life and ensures the Mayborn Museum continues to inspire learning, discovery, and exploration for our community.
To learn more about supporting the campaign, please contact Charles_Walter@baylor.edu.
Reignite Curiosity. Shape the Future.
Campaign Progress
Completed Projects
- Phase 1A: Mammoths Exhibit — $2 million
- Phase 1B: Cultural Crossroads Exhibit — $3 million
Current Fundraising Priorities
- Phase 2: Texas Ecology — $3 million
Future Phases
- Phase 3 — $3 million
- Phase 4 — $3 million
- Phase 5 — $2 million
Thank You to the Generous Donors Who Have Contributed to the Reigniting Curiosity Campaign
Gifts range from 2,000 to $2.2 million
- Anonymous
- Communities Foundation of Texas
- Jim Foulks
- Cooper Foundation
- Clifton and Betsy Robinson
- Leo and Paulette Brown
- Waco Foundation
- Summerlee Foundation
- Tommy and Carol Crumpton
- Devon and Lauren Dreyer
- Steve and Patricia Scott
- Randy and Stacey Sharp
- Humanities Texas
- Diane Walbesser
- Nancy Moore
- Mike and Ann Harder