The history

The Billie Trimble Chandler Arts Foundation, Inc., which is also known as The Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures  and Education Center, was established in 1974 as a non-profit organization. The primary objective of the museum is to enhance people's understanding of Asian cultures by providing educational programs, exhibitions, and cultural events based on its vast collection of Asian artifacts. The museum houses a plethora of artifacts, including a five-foot bronze Amida Buddha, traditional costumes, Japanese Hakata dolls, paintings, and collections from various countries such as China, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India.

The entire museum is the brainchild of Mrs. Billie Trimble Chandler, who lived and taught to children in US base in Japan and other countries for nearly seventeen years, starting in the late 1950s. During her stay, she collected thousands of artifacts and commissioned numerous works of art, which became the core of the museum's collection when she returned to Corpus Christi, Texas. The collection was later expanded to include items from other Pacific Rim nations and the Indian subcontinent. Reflecting this broader scope, in 1982, the institution became the Museum of Oriental Cultures.

In 1996, the museum's collection was shifted to a new location in the city's convention and museum district after multiple relocations. The museum also underwent a name change, becoming The Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and  Education Center.

The current museum building was designed by Elizabeth Chu, who was born in China. She designed the complex to resemble an Asian residential neighborhood in scale and feel. The architects intentionally avoided literal representations and instead captured the spirit of Asian cultures through simplicity and attention to materials.

Page promoting the Oriental Art Museum's opening, featuring text, two black-and-white photos, and an advertisement for a publication called "The Texas Tropical Coast Sparkler."

Opens Oriental Art Museum in 1973

Newspaper clipping with a photo of Col. Floyd H. Buch and Mrs. Billie T. Chandler beside a framed painting, titled "Unit takes over museum." Text Transcription: Headline: Corpus Christi Caller Date and Section: Corpus Christi, Texas, Tuesday, September 10, 1974, Section B Caption: Col. Floyd H. Buch, Mrs. Billie T. Chandler with Oriental painting Article Title: Unit takes over museum Article Body: A new nonprofit organization, the Billie Trimble Chandler Art Foundation, yesterday assumed ownership of the Japanese Art Museum of Corpus Christi. Mrs. Billie T. Chandler, owner and creator of the museum, donated the collection of Japanese dolls, objects d’art, dioramas, sculptures, paintings and scale models to the foundation. Under terms of the agreement, Mrs. Chandler was named permanent director of the museum and will retain ownership of the building. Heading the foundation’s executive board is Col. Floyd H. Buch (USA, ret.). Other officers are Dr. Sam Woolvin and J.B. Trimble; DeWitt Morgan and Sam Gottlich. During the meeting which followed the acceptance of Mrs. Chandler’s gift, the chairman announced a membership drive, which will include a mailing of brochures. Mrs. Chandler made a gift of $500 to the foundation to be used to pay the expenses of the Japanese ambassador for a visit to Corpus Christi.

Unit takes over museum

Newspaper article with an image of the Japanese Art Museum building and an article promoting the museum's art collection. Text Section: Top Caption: "Mrs. Chandler bought this building at 426 South Staples Street in Corpus Christi, and had it completely renovated and redecorated to serve as the Japanese Art Museum housing Japanese and other Oriental art treasures." Main Headline: "COME SEE THE JAPANESE ART MUSEUM" Article Text: "You'll want to come again and again. There's too much to see at one time and to remember. The art that is here was collected in Japan over a long term of years by Mrs. Billie Trimble Chandler who was a teacher there for many years. She brought back to Corpus Christi - her home - thousands of art objects - paintings, sculptures, statues, films, slides, books, Hakata dolls and floral displays. There are many authentic scaled models of pagodas, shrines and temples. These are reproductions - made by architects - in miniature of well-known structures. While in Japan, Mrs. Chandler became interested in floral arrangements. She attended and earned diplomas from Japanese schools in that art. Back home in Corpus Christi, she bought a building at 426 South Staples Street, had it rebuilt, rearranged and redecorated to house her art collection. The spacious building will hold less than half of her very large collection. Much of it is in storage. There will be changes in museum displays from time to time, and new things to see. Mrs. Chandler wanted to give her art treasures to Corpus Christi, to make it possible for all to see the art she had spent so many years collecting. She has given her art collection to a non-profit corporation, named in her honor, the Billie Trimble Chandler Art Foundation. Col. Floyd H. Buch is chairman of the Foundation's board of trustees."

Japanese Art Museum in 1974

Illustration of a red torii gate with text about the Japanese Art Museum of Corpus Christi. Text in Image: "The Japanese Art Museum" "OF CORPUS CHRISTI" "ONE OF A KIND IN THE WORLD ...an educational institution for the whole community with special emphasis on youth." "A NON-PROFIT MUSEUM GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH TEXAS BY THE BILLIE TRIMBLE CHANDLER ARTS FOUNDATION, INC."

Japanese Art Museum flyer

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