On the other side, a quarter of a mile away, is the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. The museum was started in 1926 on the banks of the San Antonio River. The museum is named for Alfred Witte, a local businessman who gave $65,000 to the city for construction of the facility.
The museum focuses on South Texas heritage, natural history and science. It has large collections of historic artifacts, photographs and art from Texas. It has a large circus collection, dinosaur bones, cave drawings and has several nationally known traveling exhibits. One of its unique features is a four-story science tree house. South Texas artifacts include firearms, clothing irons, saddles and historic documents such as land grants. The grounds have two original houses built in 1835 and 1841 respectively.
The museum is open 10 a.m . to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, with extended hours on Tuesday evenings. With its picturesque location on the river, and large grounds, it has space for special events like weddings, parties and corporate events. The museum often has special exhibits as well, ranging from Mayan antiquities of Mexico to Native Americans and their horses. The museum hosts day camps for kids on the summer, and has daily programs for all ages on subjects related to South Texas and the old west. Native American and Hispanic influences are also seen in the daily and regular programming. Theatrical performances are also given as living history exhibitions at the museum. There is a gift shop on the grounds.
