The Dr Pepper Museum is preparing for a truly larger-than-life addition to its historic campus. In May 2026, the Museum will unveil a 23-foot-tall Dr Pepper bottle in its courtyard, a new landmark that will debut during the Museum’s 35th Birthday Bash. The celebration marks 35 years since the Museum first opened its doors on May 11, 1991, as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of Dr Pepper and Waco’s place in soft drink history.
“As the Original Home of Dr Pepper, we’re excited to add a new icon to the Waco skyline,” said Chris Dyer, CEO & President of the Dr Pepper Museum. “This bottle isn’t just big, it’s a bold tribute to the spirit of invention that began right here and continues to inspire visitors from around the world.”
The towering bottle will serve as a permanent centerpiece for the Museum and a must-see stop for locals and tourists alike. Each side of the structure will showcase a different chapter in Dr Pepper’s design history. One side will feature the modern style of the 1960s Dr Pepper bottle, while the other side will showcase the early look of glass bottles with the “Vim, Vigor, Vitality” logo. These designs showcase and celebrate the brand’s evolution of the generations who have enjoyed Dr Pepper for 140 years.
Together, these designs tell the story of 140 years of refreshment and reflect the enduring connection between Waco and America’s oldest major soft drink, first served in 1885.
As the Museum prepares for its milestone birthday, the team invites Dr Pepper fans and the Waco community to follow along on our social media and website for behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks, and event details leading up to the 35th Birthday Bash in May 2026.
About the Dr Pepper Museum
The Dr Pepper Museum educates, inspires, and entertains by sharing the stories of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry. Located in the historic Artesian Manufacturing & Bottling Company and Kellum-Rotan Buildings, the Museum is the most visited cultural destination in Waco and the Original Home of the Dr Pepper Float. The Museum offers over 35,000 square feet of exhibits, popular experiences like Make-A-Soda and handmade fountain drinks. In 2024, the Museum welcomed over 256,000 visitors. As a proud independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are celebrating 34 years of public service in 2025. We are not owned or operated by Keurig Dr Pepper. (Please note, there is not a period after “Dr” in our name.) For more information, visit drpeppermuseum.com.
