Private Events

To inquire about availability, please submit an event inquiry. We are happy to place a courtesy hold on your preferred date on a first-come, first-served basis while you are in the initial planning stages for your event. If another party requests the same date, you will have two business days to move to contract and pay the deposit or release the space.

To secure the date, a signed Rental Agreement and deposit of 50% of the agreement total are required. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the event date. The Museum accepts checks made payable to the Texas State History Museum and all major credit cards.

All alcoholic beverage services must be handled by a Bullock-preferred caterer, in accordance with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission laws. Outside alcohol is not permitted on the premises. Alcohol-only events will not be permitted in the Museum, and food and alcohol are not permitted in the exhibition galleries.

Yes, the Museum has a list of designated catering companies for clients to choose from and a list of approved AV vendors.

There are no restrictions on other vendor services and our team is happy to provide you with names of vendors who have worked in the Museum before and delivered professional service to their clients. Please note that all vendors must be approved by Bullock Events Staff at least two weeks prior to the event date.

Catering partners
Rosemary's Catering, Sterling Events

Audio/visual partners
Atomic Picnic, ATX Event Systems, Ideal Productions, Spacecraft Entertainment

Restrictions do not apply to specialty desserts such as birthday cakes or cupcakes. If one of our caterers cannot provide a specific service, an outside caterer may be approved by the Museum on a case-by-case basis.

Spaces are available for a four-hour period, between 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., with an additional hour allotted for loadout and clean up. The Grand Lobby and Bob Bullock Atrium are not available for events during Museum operating hours. However, daytime functions can be hosted in the Austin Room, Texas Spirit Theater, and IMAX® Theatre pending availability.

Standard access to the Museum and loading dock for all vendors and clients is at 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Vendors and clients are asked to be respectful of Museum guests and maintain a low volume until the Museum closes to the public at 5 p.m. Early load-in requires pre-approval and may be arranged for an additional cost.

Our rental rates include an onsite event coordinator who will assist you and your vendors with building access and organization, oversee the event’s set up and break down, and be available throughout the event to ensure the entire process runs smoothly. Please keep in mind that we do not provide full event planning services.

The base Museum rental rate does not include exhibit access, catering, equipment rentals, liability insurance, audio and visual services, décor, entertainment, or outside vendors. The Bullock Events team does not provide full service planning, but can provide support and insight throughout the process.

Though not required, the Bullock team recommends and encourages working with a professional event planner for weddings and other significant celebrations.

Exhibit access is not included with rental spaces but can be added onto an event for an additional cost. Please note that food and beverage are not permitted in the exhibits for artifact preservation purposes.

You have the flexibility to reschedule an event up to 30 days prior to the contracted date. Within 30 days of the event, there is a $250 rescheduling fee, and the date change must be approved first by Bullock Events Staff and made official through a contract amendment.

Cancellations 90 days or more prior to the event are eligible for a refund. Within 90 days of the event, canceling will result in a forfeiture of the deposit.

A 20% discount on rental rates is available for nonprofit organizations, local state and government entities, and University of Texas clients. Discounts are not applicable to IMAX® Theatre rentals.

Yes, the Museum requires all private clients to provide a certificate of liability insurance, with the Museum named as additional insured, at least 30 days prior to the event. Please inquire for specifics related to State agencies and the University of Texas events.

Complimentary parking is available to guests after 5 p.m. in the Museum garage the day of the event. The capacity of the Museum parking garage is 400 vehicles.

Daytime parking for event guests is available in the Museum garage. Parking is subject to availability and capacity. Learn more about parking at the Museum.

The Museum has limited storage space and no items may be delivered in advance of load-in, or left in the Museum overnight after an event. 

Event clients must provide their own photographer and prearrange the date and time for the photoshoot with Bullock Event Staff. Personal use photography is allowed in rental and exhibition spaces. 
 

Any sale of outside merchandise is not permitted on Museum property. With prior coordination, the Museum Store can remain open during an event for an additional cost.