Austin 1

Texas State History Museum

After spending 10 minutes in the museum’s lobby trying to figure out whether or not we wanted to shell out the money for the tour (we are unemployed after all), one of the tour guides – wearing a black leather jacket and a black cowboy hat – asked us if we need help.  We chatted with him for a bit as he gave us sightseeing suggestions.  Oddly enough, none of them included the museum tour, and so we decided to forgo the museum tour.  As we thanked him for his tips when we headed out, he tipped his hat and wished us a good day.

Floor of the museum. 

I'm a star!

State House

With such little time to see Austin, we didn’t have time to see the Alamo an hour south.  If you’re short on time, just go get a free tour of the State House.  They give you the whole story of the Alamo while giving you some really interesting facts about Texas.  Did you know Texas was the first state to elect a woman Governor shortly after women were given the right to vote?  Kudos!

Everything is bigger in Texas.

That star is actually 8 feet across. 

Each flag represents a nation that at one time claimed ownership over Texas.

Harry Ransom Center

This free museum on the campus of the University of Texas features two permanent exhibits that were seminal in the course of history: The Gutenberg Bible -- the first book printed with movable type, and the first photograph ever taken.  The center also has new exhibits every six months, and we were able to see a Tennessee Williams exhibit as well.

Gutenberg Bible.  There were less than 300 made.

Old Testament on the left and New Testament on the right. 

It's hard to tell, but it's a 19th century French town.  Here's a clearer picture.