In beautiful Orange, Texas, just off Highway 90 near the Louisiana border, you can find one of the most interesting western art museums in the US. It truly is a gem of a museum that is like a hidden treasure. At the Stark Museum of Art, you’ll find Western art, American Indian art, and even rare books and manuscripts. Their collection truly capture the spirit of the region.

The Stark Museum of Art is run by the Stark Foundation. HJ Lutcher Stark was a prominent Texas businessman who worked tirelessly to promote education and cultural in the southeast corner of Texas. He was an avid art collector specializing in southwestern art that he and his wife would discover on their frequent trips to New Mexico throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. In 1961 established the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation which later became simply the Stark Foundation in order to promote cultural education in southeastern Texas.

The Stark Foundation has worked to improve educational and cultural opportunities in Orange, Texas. They’ve restored the Shangri La Botancial Gardens, the HW Stark House, and built the Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts. The city of Orange has become a cultural lighthouse in southeast Texas.

Some of the impressive collections of the Stark Museum of Art are available right on its website. Anyone interested in Western or Native American art would do well to check out their online collections. It’s an enriching experience just clicking through the online collection of art. One thing is clear, the collection is truly one of a kind.

Of course, the best way to experience the Stark Museum collections is in person. It’s only a few hours away from Houston by car and it’s definitely worth the visit. The Stark Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free so you have no excuse not to see this great cultural asset.

Just last year I passed through Orange, Texas. I wish I had known that Orange, Texas has one of the most earth friendly projects in the world. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to visit the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center. I am interested in visiting botanical gardens and nature centers when I travel and from the looks of it, the Shangri La Gardens is a beautiful place indeed.

The Shangri La Gardens holds the prestigious U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for LEED-NC. This means that the project’s construction and design is in accordance with green, eco-friendly standards. The Shangri La Gardens was the first project in Texas to gain this certification.

The Shangri La Gardens is a 252 acre facility with a botanical garden that features more than 300 species of plants and flower that thrive in the unique environment. Adjacent to the gardens is a bird observation area that many different species call home. The Nature Center is a major part of the facility. It has a hands on area where people can understand nature in a special way. It has a special theater for nature shows, a cafe, a greenhouse, a store and several gardens.

The Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is open for tours from the general public, groups and schools from Tuesday to Sunday during the months of March through October. The gardens are a beautiful place to relax and just take in the tranquil environment. It’s an escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Orange is located near the Texas-Louisiana border, not far from Beaumont and just a few hours outside of Houston. It’s a great place to soak up nature. I think the next time I am out on US 90, I will make a point of visiting the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center with the entire family. It will be a relaxing and educational visit.

I highly recommend that you check out the website and think about visiting the gardens yourself.