Bullock Museum welcomes visitors to a refreshed theater-going experience in the multisensory Texas Spirit Theater

DECEMBER 2, 2025 (AUSTIN, TX) — The Bullock Museum is proud to announce the completion of the renovation of the beloved Texas Spirit Theater with modernized furnishings. The Museum was pleased to unveil the refreshed theater in early October and resumed daily screenings of the multisensory films Shipwrecked and Star of Destiny for Texas students and Museum visitors. 

“After welcoming millions of visitors since it opened in 2001, the theater was due for upgraded seating, equipment, and fresh carpeting,” said Margaret Koch, Director of the Bullock Museum. “We’re grateful to the state legislature, who appropriated funding to make the updates possible, and look forward to being able to more fully utilize the space for fantastic films, presentations and events.”

Since the Museum opened in 2001, the Texas Spirit Theater has provided a unique and memorable multisensory film experience for thousands of visitors and students on school field trips to the Bullock. Star of Destiny brings the history of Texas to life by telling the stories of determination, perseverance and triumph that have formed the Texas spirit. Shipwrecked brings visitors into the story of La Belle, one of the ships that was part of French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle’s doomed Texas expedition, told by one of its few survivors. The Museum looks forward to continuing this tradition with more exciting films and immersive special effects in the newly refreshed space.

The renovation to the theater included installing custom-color carpet and replacing the seating. The new seats include four inches of comfortable foam to enhance visitor comfort. The Bullock plans to continue to modernize the theater with new lighting to ensure energy efficiency and a wider array of atmospheric special effects. 

In addition to the daily multisensory films, the Texas Spirit Theater also hosts special screenings and Museum programs. Upcoming events include holiday screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol on December 7 and Elf on December 14. The films will be enhanced by multisensory effects, including snow. 

The Texas Spirit Theater has also been the location for the Bullock Museum’s widely acclaimed Texas Focus Film Series, which will continue in 2026 with a special screening of Citizens At Last on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. This documentary film tells the story of the grit, persistence and tactical smarts of the Texas women who organized, demonstrated and won the vote for women. The film screening will be followed by a discussion panel with filmmakers Ellen Temple and Nancy Schiesari. 

For more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming programming in the Texas Spirit Theater, visit TheStoryofTexas.com.

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The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com