Houston View » Offbeat Houston

Gulf Coast Electronics Museum

Cathy Stucker — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:54:45 +0000

The Gulf Coast Electronics Museum is another of those quirky little museums that seem to pop up around Houston. This one contains a collection of electronic equipment dating back to the 1940s, as well as art created from electronic parts.

Harry Keep set up an electronics shop in Houston back in 1945. When disaster struck in Texas City in 1947, Gulf Coast Electronics was first on the scene with communications equipment to aid rescue workers. Harry was also involved in the music scene in Houston. He had the first mobile recording set-up in Houston and volunteered his services to the Houston Symphony when they began performing at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.

After Gulf Coast Electronics closed, the inventory was stored in the building and warehouse until 1988. That is when his widow, Jane Keep, decided to create a space that would honor Harry’s legacy by paying tribute to what he loved most: electronics and music.

It took almost 20 years to make Jane’s dream a reality, but the Gulf Coast Electronics Museum now exists as a place where Houstonians can view vintage electronics and art with an electronics theme.

In addition to the museum, there is space available for performances and private parties. To visit the museum or book a party, please call in advance: 832.264.9789.

Gulf Coast Electronics Museum
http://www.gulfcoastelectronicsmuseum.org/
http://www.myspace.com/electronicsmuseum
1110 Winbern St (between Fannin and San Jacinto one street north of Alabama), Houston, TX 77004
The museum does not have regularly scheduled hours. Call ahead before visiting: 832.264.9789

Image Credit (main image): http://www.flickr.com/photos/deneyterrio/ / CC BY 2.0

Image Credit (radio): http://www.flickr.com/photos/deneyterrio/ / CC BY 2.0

Art Car Museum

Cathy Stucker — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:11:43 +0000

Art cars in captivity! The Art Car Museum, a.k.a. the “Garage Mahal” opened in February, 1998, as a place to celebrate art cars and the artists who create them, as well as other artists who often go unrecognized by other museums and galleries.

You’ve probably heard of the Art Car Parade sponsored by the Orange Show. The cars on display here are just a tiny sample of the art cars featured in the parade, but it is worth a visit. In addition to art cars, there are always exhibits of other art here, including photographs, sculptures, painting and multimedia exhibits. The exhibits change from time to time, and you will want to schedule a trip to the Art Car Museum just to see the building!

The 2010 Art Car Parade will be Saturday, May 8th. For more information about the parade and the events surrounding it, see the Orange Show website.

For more on art cars, also see the Houston Art Car Klub (HACK).

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas
713-861-5526
Open Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
No admission charge. Donations accepted.
http://www.artcarmuseum.com

From Memorial Drive, go north on Heights Blvd. The Museum will be on your right, near the railroad tracks.

John C. Haley, M.D. “Body Parts” Museum

Cathy Stucker — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:07:49 +0000

Down in the basement of the DeBakey Building at the Baylor College of Medicine is perhaps the oddest museum you’ll ever see.
Dr. John C. Haley taught at Baylor College of Medicine, and there are displays of memorabilia from his life and career. But most of this small museum consists of what the nickname indicates—body parts. (No, the parts are not from Dr. Haley’s body!)

The official name of this small exhibit is the John C. Haley, M.D. Museum; however, locals in the Houston Medical Center refer to it as the “Body Parts Museum.” Heads, hands, legs, and various internal organs, both healthy and diseased, are preserved here for your viewing pleasure. These are projects completed by Dr. Haley himself, his students and other Baylor students. Not for the squeamish, but fascinating for those interested in medicine and anatomy.

Security was stepped up at Baylor after 9/11, so you will have to check in with security and show a photo ID to enter the building, but admission is free.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

1940 Air Terminal Museum

Cathy Stucker — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:06:44 +0000

This art deco style terminal takes you back to the golden age of air travel. Even if you don’t remember the days when air travel was glamorous and travelers dressed in their finest clothes, you’ll feel a sense of nostalgia as you view the photos and artifacts of that grand era. Restoration of the building is still underway, but the museum is open to the public. Exhibits include model planes, airline memorabilia and uniforms, photos, and equipment. The museum currently owns three airplanes and it is expected that additional planes will be added to the collection.

The third Saturday each month features Wings and Wheels. Tour the museum, have lunch, view classic cars and airplanes and special programs.

For more information, see the Air Terminal Museum web site.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

You Are What You Write On

Cathy Stucker — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:06:07 +0000

The folks at Tanglewood Pharmacy have compiled a creative and fun collection of more than 80 autographs of notables with a connection to Houston.

Astronauts, business people, performers and politicians are all represented here. What makes this collection special is not just the autographs, but what they are on. Lloyd Bentsen and James Baker signed currency bearing their printed signatures as Treasury Secretaries. Dr. Denton Cooley signed a surgical mask. Eckhard Pfeiffer (former Compaq CEO) signed the screen of a notebook computer. George Foreman signed boxing gloves. Pinkie Logan signed a Logan Ham. And Marvin Zindler signed (What else?) the door from an ice machine (see photo at left). The collection is displayed all through the store, but much of it is in their stationery department. For more information, read this story from the Houston Press.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

Houston Sports Museum

Cathy Stucker — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:01:23 +0000

The Finger Furniture store on the Gulf Freeway is set on the former site of Buff Stadium, the home of the Houston Buffs baseball team. <
A plaque marks the location of home plate in the former Buff Stadium. The museum includes memorabilia from Houston sports teams past and present, including the Colt .45s, Astros, Oilers (remember them?), Aeros (both incarnations), Gamblers, Rockets and University of Houston teams.

There’s a great display of baseballs signed by everyone from Mickey Mantle and Joe diMaggio to Lou Brock.

The museum is in the customer lounge at the back of the store.

Want to see more of Houston's unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

Houston Tunnel System

Cathy Stucker — Sun, 14 May 2006 20:39:14 +0000

Explore Houston underground.

You can walk through downtown Houston via the 6.2-mile tunnel system without having to set foot in the hot, humid weather! Take a tour with Discover Houston tours (Call 713-222-WALK.) or do it yourself with a map from the Visitor’s Center in City Hall. You can also download a map courtesy of Treebeard’s restaurant (one of the many businesses you’ll find in the tunnel) at: http://www.treebeards.com/location/tunnel.html

Sandra Lord, aka The Tunnel Lady, leads groups on walking tours of the Tunnel System and other downtown attractions. Try the Tunnel & Trolley Tours, NiteCrawls, Sunday Strolls, Ghost Walks in October and Holiday Lights Walks in December. Sandra offers several options, including customized itineraries.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

Photo Credit: GHCVB

Flower Man’s House

Cathy Stucker — Sun, 14 May 2006 19:57:20 +0000

Cleveland Turner is a folk artist who created an oasis of color and fun surrounding his home.

A former alcoholic, Turner made a deal with God to turn his life around and dedicate himself to creating beauty. After problems with vandals and city bureaucrats at two previous locations, a house was purchased for him by Project Row Houses. Mr. Turner and a crew of volunteers have brought the house to life with vibrant colors and decorations. Mr. Turner is often outside tending the yard in nice weather, and he is open to chatting with you about his amazing house.From downtown, take Fannin away from downtown. Turn left on Elgin and go .8 mile. Turn right on Dowling, then right on Francis.Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

Gallery Furniture

Cathy Stucker — Sun, 14 May 2006 19:51:20 +0000

Most Houstonians know Gallery Furniture, but you may not know about the memorabilia on display in the showroom.

The centerpiece is Elvis Presley’s “favorite car,” but you’ll also see lots of other Elvis collectibles, Beatles memorabilia, sports memorabilia (including a chair made for Shaq), and some of Princess Diana’s jewelry. Go by the showroom to see all this and more.

If you watch TV or listen to radio in Houston, you probably already know that Gallery is at “6006 I-45 North between Tidwell and Parker.” From downtown, take I-45 north to the Tidwell exit. Stay on the feeder and turn right into Gallery’s parking lot.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

Beer Can House

Cathy Stucker — Thu, 11 May 2006 00:05:41 +0000

One of Houston’s most famous artistic achievements, the Beer Can House is the creation of the late John Milkovisch. You’ll never think of aluminum siding the same old way after you’ve seen the remains of 50,000 beer cans covering every available surface and hanging from the eaves.

The Beer Can House has been purchased by the Orange Show Foundation. It is undergoing renovation and is expected to be open to the public sometime in the future.

Take Memorial Drive west from downtown past Shepherd. Turn right on Malone, and go two blocks. The house is on your right at 222 Malone.

Want to see more of Houston’s unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!