History of Dr Pepper Museum

1985

100^th Anniversary of Dr Pepper celebration in Waco sparks interest in creating a museum. W.W. “Foots” Clements spearheads efforts to establish a museum.

1988

Non-profit organization established by Calvin Smith, Wilton Lanning and Glen Houston.

1989

Established first museum office with professional staff Joe Cavanaugh named Executive Director Launched first major fundraising campaign

1990

Began restoration of the "Home of Dr Pepper"

1991

Opened to the public on May 11 (with 900 square foot exhibit area) Began fundraising for second phase

1992

Began second phase construction (back of first floor, front of second floor) Purchased All-Tex property located at 500 Mary St.

1993

Opened new exhibits on first and second floors

1994

Tripled size of gift shop to increase earned income

1995

Began fundraising for long-term exhibition on first floors ($258,500 goal) Project funded through Meadows Foundation matching grant ($91,000)

1996

Opened long-term exhibition on first floor Began fundraising for Free Enterprise Institute The Museum accepted the donation of the Dunagan Archives, the most comprehensive soft drink archives in Texas and the Southwest

1997

Formal opening of W. W. “Foots” Clements Free Enterprise Institute Launched Internet home page

1998

Launched Free Enterprise Educational Program Began plans for expanding program to different grade levels on site Began formal plans for expansion of Museum

1999

Approved architect's preliminary plans for expansion of campus

2000

Jack N. McKinney named Executive Director Launched $6.5 Million fundraising campaign

2001

Caritas property purchased by the Museum for future expansion. The Museum celebrates its 10th anniversary and 600,000th visitor in May. Cadbury Schweppes begins payment of $1.5 million pledge to Dr Pepper Museum expansion

2002

W. W. “Foots” Clements, Chairman Emeritus of Dr Pepper Seven Up Inc. and benefactor of the Dr Pepper Museum passes away at the age of 88. The Museum acquires the Behrens Collection of drugstore and pharmacy objects and archives.

2003

Construction is completed on a new parking lot for the Museum

2004

Construction is completed on a new courtyard for the Museum

2005

The Museum’s endowment fund grows to over $800,000. City of Waco grants $339, 000 TIF money to the expansion campaign May 11, 2005 850,000 visitors by the 14th Birthday of the Museum

2006

Renovation of the Kellum-Rotan Building begins Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages announces that it will move its collection of soft drink objects and archival material valued at more that $2.6 million to the care of the Dr Pepper Museum.

2007

Dr Pepper Museum welcomed their 1,000,000th visitor!  Climaxing a month-long wait, a family from Cedar Park, Texas became the 1,000,000th visitors to the Dr Pepper Museum.  The Murray family pulled into the Museum’s parking lot at 5th and Mary in Waco, where a group of over 50 staff and volunteers greeted the family.