The Printing Museum explores the intersections of the history, art, and technology of printing and demonstrates its enduring impact through exhibitions, interactive tours, and creative workshops. With over 10,000 items in its permanent collection—including one of the earliest printed documents, fine-art facsimiles such as the Gutenberg Bible, and contemporary limited-edition works on paper—the Museum is an engaging place for kids and adults alike.
Our HISTORY:
The Printing Museum was founded in 1979 by Raoul Beasley, Vernon P. Hearn, Don Piercy, and J. V. Burnham, four printers with passions for preserving their vast collections and sharing them with the community. The Museum was chartered in 1981 and had its official opening in 1982 with Dr. Hans Halaby, Director of the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany, cutting the ribbon. In 2012, the Museum rebranded as The Printing Museum.
Our MISSION:
The Printing Museum demonstrates the enduring impact of printing by exploring the intersections of the history, art, and technology of the craft.
Our VISION:
Through innovative, dynamic, and hands-on programming, The Printing Museum seeks to engage the public in the interpretation of its permanent collection. The museum strives to empower individuals and society by encouraging creative self-expression, as well as critical discourse and debate. Ultimately, the museum seeks to provide a place for the exploration of how printing and printing history continue to impact our present-day digital society.
Featured in the July 2006 issue of Texas Highways, the Museum was described as “a honeycomb of intimate gallery spaces…with a stunning collection of objects and artifacts devoted to the history, science, and art of printing.” The portrait of the Museum concludes with the observation that “printed text may be taken for granted these days, but a visit to the [The Printing Museum] somehow makes it seem magical once again.”
The Printing Museum wishes to thank the following foundations, corporations and individuals for their generous support:
Chair: June O'Neill , Your Part-time Controller
Secretary: Brian Hodge , Musiqa
Treasurer: Ian E. McCutcheon, M.D. , MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jacki Cramer , Quest Software
Patrick Donlin
Wendy Robbins , Houston Community College
William C. Blackwood , Community Volunteer
Shannon Chapin , The Houston Chronicle
Martha Justice , Community Volunteer
Anita Kiperman , Lecturer Emeritus, Rice University
Gene McDavid , The Houston Chronicle
Frank Romano , Rochester Institute of Technology, Professor Emeritus
Jerry J. Waite, Ed.D, , University of Houston
Richard O. Wilson , Engineer
Margrit Young-Zellweger , Honorary Consul, Consulate of Switzerland
