Visit the Site

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Interest 119%

increase in new site visitors

Acclaim Gold

Muse Award for "Best Online Experience"

Acclaim 1st

Place Texas Association of Museums Award

Bullock Texas State History Museum home view.

About the Bullock

Welcoming more than 450,000 visitors a year, The Bullock Texas State History Museum features 500 ever-changing artifacts that span more than 13,000 years. It also includes the largest IMAX® Theatre in Texas, a 4D special-effects theater, a cafe, and a Museum Store. Our goals were simple, increase the digital reach to new and old Texans, and build a connection to the past. We were also challenged to integrate and develop new digital collections of artifacts and showcase stories through user-generated content. We were selected to help navigate those waters.

Robust Digital Strategy

Building a new, fully responsive site with strict accessibility, government, and COPPA requirements were challenging enough. Throw in the diverse mix of audiences including teachers, students, members, and casual visitors of all ages across all of Texas, and you've got your hands full. The solution was created through Monkee-Boy's robust Diagnostic Strategy process, resulting in a 116% increase in search engine visits, a 119% increase in new visitors, and a 169% increase in returning visitors.

Fully Custom CMS

To break the mold of other museum sites, and give the Bullock unlimited freedom over the site's design and functionality, Monkee-Boy utilized the fully custom MBoy CMS. Allowing the project to explore every idea, push the boundaries of an expected museum site, and find success where others may have fallen short. The increased horsepower and flexibility resulted in not only an amazing experience but two (2) top industry awards including the highly coveted AAM MUSE Gold Award for "Best Online Presence", a Tammy from the Texas Association of Museums, and being presented at SXSW interactive.

A Site for All of Texas

Expanding the physical walls of the Bullock online required two separate tasks — presenting great content in new ways and providing new ways for Texans to join the conversation and add to the digital collection. Through new and exciting techniques including the award winning Texas Story Project, online digital photo contests, and a fully COPPA compliant Instagram curation tool, the Museum has experienced an amazing 179% increase in visits from outside the Austin Metro, 1000's of user generated content submissions, and one of the most successful digital story collection projects ever imagined.

Four months after launch, the site has achieved our initial goals of expanding the Bullock Museum's audience and making history and culture relevant. Monkee-Boy's enthusiasm for Texas and history and keen understanding of how people learn and navigate websites helped make the project a success.

-Dr. Victoria Ramirez Director / Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Texas State History Museum mobile view.

Interactive Terrazzo

Use a floor mural to help users explore the rich history of Texas? No problem. The Monkee-Boy team built a custom illustration of the Bullock's terrazzo and turned it into the new front door of its highly acclaimed Campfire Stories section. Allowing users to learn Texas history through the eyes the people who helped create its rich heritage.

All-Inclusive Calendaring System

The Bullock houses one of the widest varieties of events and programming in central Texas. Including special exhibits a wide range of movies and documentaries, family activities, special educational programming, even live music in evenings during the summer, and more! Such a breath of series of events required a complex, custom calendaring system that allows users on any device to see what's going on today, tomorrow and months into the future. Additionally, through seamless integration with Blackbaud's Altru system, Bullock filming staff can easily manage movie showtimes, landing pages, and ticket sales.Check out the state-of-the-art calendaring systemhere and go check out one of their amazing events!

Far from being a static online repository that simply reflects the text and artifacts of the physical exhibits, your new site engages visitors by providing ways for them to contribute their own artifacts and their own stories to the complex and collective narrative that is Texas. As a result, you’ve created a resource that will continually renew itself and ensure that each visit has something new and special to offer.

-Kenneth D. Tothero Associate Director of Educational Technology, Center for Teaching and Learning / The University of Texas at Austin

Interest 116%

Increase in search engine visits

Interest 169%

Increase in returning visitors

Interest 179%

increase in visits from outside the Austin Metro

This site made me want to visit the museum and Texas – a feeling that as a confirmed East Coaster I can honestly say I’ve never had before! It made me like Texans and see what we shared, while letting me appreciate the things about them that are special – that’s not an easy thing to accomplish.

-Anne P. Madarasz Museum Division Director / Heinz History Center

Ready to make history together?

We've been doing it with Texas's favorite brands for 20 years, it's your turn.

If you have a project you'd like to chat about, please let us know. Our unique approach might be a good fit. If it's not, we'll do our best to help you get down the road quickly.

Come and Take It!