El Paso Museum of History | El Paso

The El Paso Museum of History is a premier institution dedicated to showcasing the rich, multicultural history of the El Paso region. Situated in downtown El Paso, Texas, it offers an in-depth look at the interconnected cultural, social, and historical narratives of the area. The museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions explore the diverse experiences that have shaped El Paso and its surroundings.

Museum Overview

Location: 510 N. Santa Fe Street, El Paso, TX 79901

Established: 1974; relocated to its current downtown location in 2007

Admission: Free (suggested donation of $3)

Hours:

Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Accessibility: Part of the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission for active duty military personnel and their families between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day.

The museum focuses on the broader Paso del Norte region, which encompasses the border area between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. This binational aspect is vital in understanding the museum's commitment to reflecting the experiences of communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Exhibitions

Current Exhibitions

El Paso’s Homegrown: The Korean War (July 27, 2024 – July 26, 2025)
This exhibition explores the experiences of El Pasoans during the Korean War, presenting artifacts, personal stories, and connections between El Paso and Korea. The exhibit highlights the region's military history and its ties to international events.

Neighborhoods & Shared Memories: Rio Grande to Franklin Heights (June 20, 2024 – May 20, 2025)
This exhibition looks at the growth and development of El Paso’s Central neighborhoods, emphasizing the architectural changes, social shifts, and important community figures from the 1910s to the 1930s.

Musica Sin Fronteras: Twentieth Century to Now (April 27, 2024 – ongoing)
A celebration of the vibrant musical traditions in the region, this exhibit showcases over 1,300 artifacts related to the musical history of the El Paso-Juárez borderlands, including influences from artists like Juan Gabriel and Khalid.

Dualidad: Indigenous Gender Identity in the American Southwest and Mexico (March 28, 2024 – ongoing)
This exhibition examines the cultural roles of gender-nonconforming individuals in Indigenous cultures from the American Southwest and Mexico, with a focus on the Zuni, Diné, Zapoteca, and other Native American tribes.

Environment on the Edge: Climate Justice in El Paso (August 15, 2024 – September 2025)
This exhibition explores local environmental challenges and climate justice, highlighting the impact of climate change on El Paso and featuring stories of resilience and activism from the community.

Permanent Exhibitions

Changing Pass: People, Land & Memory
This is the museum's main permanent exhibition, covering over 1,000 years of history in the El Paso del Norte region. It traces the area’s development from Indigenous cultures to the era of the Bracero Program, highlighting significant cultural and historical events that shaped the modern identity of El Paso.

Interactive Features

DIGIE (Digital Information Gateway)
A large, interactive touchscreen display, DIGIE allows visitors to explore the museum's vast digital collection of images, videos, and artifacts. It provides an engaging, educational tool to discover stories of the El Paso region’s history and people.

Exhibit Diaries and Scavenger Hunts
These interactive activities are designed to engage visitors in a hands-on exploration of the exhibits. They encourage deeper reflection and learning by allowing visitors to track their discoveries or follow thematic scavenger hunts.

Escuelita
Escuelita is an educational space within the museum where children can explore K-12 books related to exhibit content, allowing for a more child-friendly experience that connects them with history.

Special Events

Lunar New Year Celebration
The museum hosts cultural celebrations such as the Lunar New Year Festival, which celebrates the Year of the Snake in 2025. The event features food trucks, pop-up exhibits, cultural performances, and decor representing East and Southeast Asian cultures.

Educational Programs

The El Paso Museum of History provides a variety of programs to engage the community and visitors:

School Programs: Tailored programs for K-12 students, offering a hands-on learning experience about the history of El Paso and the surrounding region.

Family and Group Tours: The museum offers guided tours for families, schools, and other groups, providing an in-depth look at exhibitions and the history of the region.

Additional Information

Awards and Recognition:
In 2023, the museum won the Gold Award for Media Innovation and Excellence from the Texas Association of Museums for its “In Touch with the Past” 3D printing summer camp, which aimed to make history accessible to individuals with visual impairments.

Wall of Giants:
Each year, the museum recognizes significant contributions to the city through the Wall of Giants initiative, which honors individuals, businesses, and organizations that have shaped the history of El Paso.

Museum Store:
The museum features a gift shop that offers unique items, books, and local artifacts related to the history and culture of the El Paso region.

Conclusion

The El Paso Museum of History is a vital institution that celebrates the region’s diverse cultural and historical legacy. From Indigenous cultures to contemporary issues like climate justice, the museum offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Its combination of permanent and rotating exhibitions, interactive displays, and community programs makes it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez region.