The museum will be closed on Sunday, May 21, to host the IPW press brunch. We will re-open on Monday, May 22, at 10 a.m.
The renowned Witte Museum collection of more than 320,000 historic and contemporary artifacts, specimens and works of art provides a vast and diverse resource for discovery. The Witte Museum collects, preserves and displays items from the community, which plays a key role in the development of the collection, in each of these categories:
The B. Naylor Morton Research & Collections Center provides visitors and researchers from around the world with access to the collection items when they are not on display in a museum, while also enabling museum professionals to care for and preserve the collection in a state-of-the-art facility.
The Dickson-Allen Orientation Gallery offers an organized overview of the Witte Museum collection, enabling all museum visitors to explore the breadth and depth of each collection category through key pieces that hold significant historical value. Access to the orientation gallery is included with Museum Admission. Inquire at the Walker Admissions Desk upon arrival at the museum if you’d like to explore the collections in this gallery.
The Texas Art Visible Storage showcases the Witte Museum Texas Art Collection. Paintings are arranged alphabetically, by artist, on racks visible to visitors with the closest racks offering a curated overview of the collection. Access to the gallery is included with Museum Admission. Inquire at the Walker Admissions Desk upon arrival at the museum if you’d like to view the art in this gallery.
The Express-News Reading Room provides a space for researchers to study the Witte Museum archives, library holdings and collections in depth. Please use the Image/Research Request Form for assistance in identifying material to review or the Schedule a Research Visit button to reserve a desk.
The Collection Plan, the intellectual framework for the Collection, is based on the key initiatives of the Witte Museum: Nature, Science and Culture of Texas. Access and use of the Witte Museum’s archives, library holdings and collections is governed by our Collection Policy. For specific information about researching the Witte Museum collection, please refer to Section 13 of the Collection Policy.
Researching Witte Museum Archives, Library Holdings and Collections
Researchers can access the Witte Museum archives and/or collections by appointment. Access is granted at the discretion of the President & CEO, Curators, Vice President of Collections or designated staff member. Please complete the Image/Research Request Form to request access to the collection.
Artifacts
Researchers can access the Witte Collection by appointment. Access is granted at the discretion of the President and CEO, Curator, Vice President of Collections or designated staff member. Please use the Image/Research Request Form to request access to the collection.
Rights and Reproduction
Requests to reproduce images from the Witte Museum art or photographic collections or intellectual property created by the museum, such as exhibitions or publications, must be reviewed and approved. Please allow at least a two-week turnaround. To request an image, please review the fee schedule and complete the Image/Research Request Form.
The Witte Museum does not provide appraisals. You can find an appraiser in your area through one of these national appraisal organizations:
Appraisers Association of America
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works can help you locate a conservator that specializes in the type of conservation your artifact needs. It also provides helpful tips on preserving your family treasures.
Researchers can access the Witte Museum archives and/or collections by appointment. Access is granted at the discretion of the President & CEO, Curators, Director of Collections or designated staff member. Please complete the Image/Research Request Form to request access to the collection.
The Witte Museum collects material that supports its mission as outlined in the museum’s Collection Plan.
Please review our Collection Plan to learn more about what we collect, then tell us more about your object [hyperlink to Donate Object Form].
Many of the specimens in the Witte Museum collection were discovered by everyday folks who found something odd and wanted to have it identified. The curators can usually identify a specimen based on a few clear photographs.
However, there are a lot of things in nature that can look like they’re ancient fossils of some kind but aren’t actually fossils. Curious if you’ve stumbled upon a great discovery? Submit your pictures, using this Identification Form [hyperlink to form], to our team of experts.
The Witte Museum keeps records on all items in the collection. To learn more about an item donated by a family member, please contact the Registrar
Yes, the Witte Museum frequently lends items from its collection to museums around the country. To learn more about our loan procedures, see our Collection Policy. Loan requests can be directed our Registrar
Requests to reproduce images from the Witte Museum art or photographic collections or intellectual property created by the museum, such as exhibitions or publications, must be reviewed and approved. Allow at least a two-week turnaround. To request an image, please review the fee schedule and complete the Image/Research Request Form.
WITTE MUSEUM and all related brands are ® & ™ the Witte Museum.
© 2023 The Witte Museum, San Antonio, Texas
The Witte Museum
Nature, Science & Culture
3801 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210.357.1900
Contact the Witte Museum
