The Board of Directors and staff of the Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute are excited to open the Emerson Holt – Ted Getterman Exhibit Gallery and new gift shop and soda fountain spaces to the public on May 27th. This new gallery is in the East Wing Building, which is the building across the courtyard from the Museum with the red neon Dr Pepper sign on the side.
Visitors will enter the Museum and pay admission, and will receive an armband to let staff know they have paid admission for that day. After touring the Museum, visitors can go across the courtyard to visit the new gift shop and soda fountain, and make their way into the Emerson Holt – Ted Getterman Gallery.
About the Emerson Holt – Ted Getterman Gallery
With over 7,000 square feet of new permanent exhibit space, the Emerson Holt – Ted Getterman Gallery adds significantly to the stories of Dr Pepper, 7UP, Big Red, and the history of the soft drink industry we have told at the Museum for many years.
New permanent exhibit spaces include:
The Treasures of the Dr Pepper Museum
We turned the historic Kellum & Rotan Building vault (staff hid there during the 1953 tornado) into a true showroom for the most valuable and rare pieces in the Museum’s collection. Watch a short video before you enter through the original double brick walls of the vault. Exit through the original vault door and make your way back into the exhibit gallery through the Donor Bottle hallway.
The Liquid Laboratory
At their core, sodas are all about science. Participate in demonstrations at set times throughout the day featuring Soda Pop Science, Cooking with Dr Pepper, and mad scientist experiments.
Holt 7UP Beverage Co. Bottling Line
Our mock 7UP bottling line runs at set times throughout the day, giving you a glimpse at the bottling process and the story of the Holt Beverage Company here in Waco.
Dr Pepper on Wheels
We have restored some of our most popular items – the beverage wagons and truck – and will debut them in their new home in the Dr Pepper on Wheels exhibit. In addition to the vehicles, we will have many objects Dr Pepper and other brands used as promotional materials, such as bicycles, toy cars, skateboards, and go karts. Interactive areas include a spectacular train layout built by train designer (and board member) Holt Getterman, playscapes, and a kid-sized replica of the delivery truck in the courtyard.
The Big Red Story
There is something about Waco and soft drinks. Big Red was also invented here in Waco! We tell the story of Big Red and its many flavor variations.
The Curator’s Window
Located in the new gift shop and soda fountain area, the Curator’s Window is an actual window into the largest of four collections storage areas. Watch a video to learn all about how and why the Museum collects the objects you see out on display.
About Peggy Pepper’s Emporium and Frosty’s Soda Shop
Peggy Pepper’s Emporium and Frosty’s Soda Shop are the new homes of the gift shop and soda fountain. They will move from the Museum building to the space that was previously the temporary rental gallery. Expanded merchandise offerings and food options will be added to the line-up of best sellers such as I’m a Pepper shirts and Blue Bell ice cream.
Additional Exhibits
There are several historic objects in our courtyard as well. Stop and visit the reader rails located throughout the courtyard to learn about the boiler, green truck, painted Dr Pepper sign, among others. This is also where you can learn about the history of the Museum and East Wing Building.
About the Dr Pepper Museum
The Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute is located at 300 South 5th Street in downtown Waco. Currently the Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 4:15 PM when the last ticket to the gallery is sold. The Museum opens at 12 pm on Sundays. Visitors can stop by the soda fountain and gift shop until 5 pm; no admission ticket required. For more information about the Museum, visit us at drpeppermuseum.com.
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