Museum of the Coastal Bend

This is a small college museum but it is very informative about the history of the area and the colonies that tried to thrive. I really liked the facial reconstruction section. The docents are nice and there are clean bathrooms. Parking was easy as well.

A very interesting museum filled with history on the Texas coast. Gives you facts on the original residents from far back. Not very large, but well maintained and interesting. Nice that it is Free! Well worth visiting

Nice small museum. Worth stopping in. Can do it all in 45 minutes. Gives you a good history of the region as well as insight into the discipline of archaeology. Fee: donation.

Very nice small museum. You can kill an hour here looking at nice artifacts and history of the area. Definitely give this plane a try for area history and artifacts.

This free museum is a cool way to learn about a failed French colony out here in Texas. It seems that the French had a comedy of errors while they were out here in Texas. They crashed their ship, and had to try and make it here in the New World. They made their own little town, but that didn't seem to work out too well, and everyone died or ran off. They have an interesting collection of old cannons, pieces of plates and bullets. There's a research area in the back where you can go learn about genealogy relating to Ft. St. Louis. I was surprised at how active that area was- there were several people in there actively looking at old records, laboring over magnifying glasses while peering at some old map. The museum is free, and the staff is rather aloof. They seemed to busy to answer questions, but the exhibits did a pretty good job of explaining what happened. The air conditioning here is amazing. It'll keep you frosty on the hottest of Texas summers. Parking is easy, since there's a huge lot right behind the place. This place is worth checking out if you have some spare time in Victoria!

I have been visiting this museum ever since it has opened. This museum is primarily dedicated to the brief period where the French attempted to colonize and claim this part of the country, notably the failed Fort St. Louis. There is a lot of good information presented and there is also a rotating exhibit that changes out every 7 to 9 months. The current exhibit is that of guns in the Wild West. Every now and then, they have good stuff that caters to children too, usually some interactive exhibits. The museum also has a small shop that has primarily books, as well as other small tourist items. The volunteers are very helpful and are usually able to answer most of your questions. Stop here when in the Victoria area, if you have even a passing interest in some of the rich history of this area!

Small museum but very well put together. Very nice exhibits. Love love love it. Staff was very friendly. I would visit again. Very nice display of artifacts. I like the volunteer lab in the museum. I would volunteer if I lived there. Keep it up!!!

This is a great museum of the local history, which is quite rich in the area! The staff is great and they have really interesting exhibits. Hours are 10-4 Tuesdays through Saturdays.

What an extraordinary museum! The exhibits are very well-done, professional, and do a great job of explaining the history of the area. Am embarrassed to say that until I visited this museum, I had no idea of the importance of Victoria to the entire state's history. The building is located on the campus of Victoria College and is such an asset to the school as well as the entire region. I hope the citizens and the legislature supports it adequately. Even though they do not formally charge a fee, please, make a voluntary donation when you visit...so they can continue to provide this wonderful place to locals and visitors alike.

Cannons from La Salle's French settlement in Texas, archeological artifacts from prehistoric Coastal Bend cultures, ranching exhibits, and a Public Archeology Lab on Tu & Th. Fun, interactive and educational!