Our Exhibits

The Museum features artifacts and replicas of items related to the Karankawas who were the native inhabitants of this area. It also features 3 murals depicting the Karankawas way of life. 

The museum features an exhibit about Palacios' role along with items found in the excavation and includes a feature length film about the Excavation of La Belle. 

La Petite Belle is a half scale seaworthy reproduction of Rene-Robert Cavelier’s ship La Belle. It is currently located within walking distance from the museum at the South Bay Marina. 

Camp Hulen began as a Texas National Guard Camp in the mid-1920s and became an anti-aircraft artillery training base during WWII in the 1940s.  Rita Hayworth, Artie Shaw, and other entertainers came to entertain the troops. 

Humans have been living, playing and working by Tres Palacios Bay from at least 13,000 years ago until today. Coastal life for people then and now comes with benefits such as seafood and challenges such as hurricanes. This environment has been shaped by its location at the intersection of land, freshwater and ocean.

Agriculture was and still is a big part of Palacios' way of life. The museum features a collection of farm implements and ranch tools from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  

The first school opened in Palacios in 1905. This exhibit tells about the early beginnings of Palacios ISD to the present day. 

In 1903, Hotel Palacios was built along East Bay before moving to its current location in 1905. It was known as Hotel Palacios before the Luther family purchased it in 1936 and renamed it The Luther Hotel. 

This exhibits tells the history about 2 doctors who practiced medicine in Palacios in the early 1900s to 1980s. The exhibits features medical tools donated by Dr. Sanford's family.