The El Paso Museum of History is a museum located in downtown El Paso, Texas which presents information about past 400 years of history in the United States/Mexico border region. The museum has over 16,000 feet of exhibition space.
The El Paso Museum of History is home to the only interactive digital wall of its kind in the United States and one of four in the world!
The Museum’s collection of more than 10,000 artifacts, documents, images, and personal stories chronicles the growth of El Paso- one of largest border metroplexes in the world.
The museum is easy to spot, as a wall of LCD touchscreens adorn the building, and present an interactive collage of historic and contemporary El Paso. Past the touchscreens, there’s level access to the automatic front door, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair around the galleries.
The museum serves to promote the understanding and significance of the rich multicultural and multinational history of the area. The majority of the first-floor is devoted to the permanent exhibit, Changing Pass: People, Land and Memory, which traces area history back 400-plus years, starting with the Jornada Mongollan settlers. Exhibits also focus on the Spanish colonial missions of the 1500s, and the creation of Fort Bliss in 1840. This US Army post began with just 257 men on a small ranch, who defended the town from Apache and Comanche raids. The exhibit concludes with a look at the 20th century, and offers a good collection of photographs and artifacts from all eras.
There’s also a children’s play area and a small gift shop on the the first floor, while the second floor – which features elevator access – is devoted to changing exhibits that focus on world history. Together the rotating exhibits and the permanent collection offer an enlightening look at the global community. And like the El Paso Museum of Art, there’s also no admission fee to the El Paso Museum of History.
Hours
Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed City Holidays
Admission
Admission is always FREE
(Suggested donation $3)
Parking
Metered street parking available throughout downtown.
Paid parking is available at the Convention Center Parking Garage.
(One Civic Center Plaza), or at the Union Plaza Transit Terminal (400 W. San Antonio Plaza)
Visitors in wheelchairs may enter through the main entrance facing Santa Fe St.. A wheelchair is available upon request, free of charge at the reception desk.
