The Institute of Texan Cultures, UTSA’s museum in Hemisfair, tells the story of the many peoples who built Texas — and its hands-on ‘Back 40’ outdoor area turns that story into play for kids, with a one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, barn and chuck wagon to explore.
Inside, families wander through exhibits honoring the Native American, Mexican, German, Irish, Japanese, African American and dozens of other communities whose food, music and traditions flavor Texas today, with demonstrations and family days across the year.
It is a joyful civics lesson disguised as a day out: children leave with a badge-worthy understanding that Texas culture is a big, shared table — and everyone helped set it.
