Solid museum for what's history, behavior, and culture if El Pasana from yesterday to today…read more We were in the area for Día de los Muertos festival, and the MofH was doing its part. It had plenty of events going on from music, interactive story telling, hands on activities, to spiritual cleansings, or limpias. One of the cooler temporary exhibits Musica sin Fronteras. The exhibits showcases the groups, genres, bands, studios and venues that have called the borderland their home, and the impact they had on the El Paso and if their day. It was pretty cool to see items from the past and reflect on the impact they had on me. Who would have imagine bed that the contributions they had on the Frontera, and the Frontera had on them were so plentiful. The kids found plenty to do and see as much of the museum is interactive. If the rotation of exhibits is regular, then so shall our visits to the museum.

The museum was overall cute. The guard at the door was very polite. Both floors were very clean and…read moreeasy to navigate.

My recent visit to the museum was to spend time in the galleries devoted to the Old Masters, a…read morecollection overwhelmingly due to the Kress donation. Kress was a discount store from many decades ago. Mr. Kress had assembled a truly monumental collection. Upon his death, paintings were given to quite a number of art museums around the country. The El Paso Museum of Art is one of them. I'm always blown away whenever I see the paintings donated by Kress in various museums that I've visited. I think that this museum received an especially vigorous selection and so many of the works on display seem so fresh and bright. These aren't lesser works by iconic artists, either. These are amazing and the collection alone make this museum a must-see. My favorite work on display is Vincenzo Catena's 'Portrait of a Woman', an oil on canvas work from about 1520-25; oil on canvas. The young woman staring directly at the viewer looks quite modern-day as if she's posing for a selfie to show off her finery; and, what finery it is: red velvet and fur with a large-jeweled broach. This is where Catena is also showing off: his skill in making the velvet and fur seem so real. This is quite the lush painting. I was also sure to visit a selection of paintings on the first level that presented works by local students. My favorite was Zoey Odette Valles' 'Tumbled Away, an acrylic on canvas piece that seemed ready for the permanent collection. Well done, Zoey! Some museums are hindered by their spaces. This museum falls into that category. This is an overhauled Greyhound bus station that I remember using years ago when I'd travel with a little backpack across the country. The space works as well as they can make it work and the engagement with the local community is truly impressive. However, if this museum's collection were in a truly dedicated space, people would trek here just for the art.

One star is too high a number to describe my experience with the pottery class that is available…read morehere, my and my brother attended the spring break pottery class, my for my third time and my brothers first time, I do not understand how it is so hard to clear glass the pieces because now my brother can't eat of the plate that he made and now my bowl has a smooth inside and a rough outside, I also made a sphere that I was quite proud of that wasn't even on the table when it was time to pick it up, my brother specifically asked if the broken tail to his dinosaur and the statue be glazed and fired together but only the statue was clear glazed and the tail was not. worst experience I have ever had.

As we face increasing antisemitism this museum plays a critical role in reminding us of the…read moreatrocities and genocides committed by Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. This museum is jewel of historic facts and details very well conceptualized. I visited Yad Vashem in Israel and was so impressed by what this museum is able to convey in a relatively small and compact museum. From the rise of Nazism, the hatred for the Jewish population to mass extermination. This museum does not spare any details. This was a moving and heartbreaking visit but yet so necessary. Will come back with my son.

It was fascinating but very sad. The fact that they had these cards made to identify who was…read moreJewish saddens me.the museum took me two and a half hours to explore.

Charming gardens wander the perimeter of the museum; plants are clearly labeled and the volunteers…read morewe met told us they strive for a natural garden, meaning they leave debris over winter to protect insects and their eggs. Even in February we spotted blooms. The museum houses rotating exhibits on the lower level and permanent exhibits upstairs. The student at the desk offered us a warm greeting and clear directions. Downstairs we learned about the gardens and native plants; and appreciated an exhibit about the stories of local immigrants and advocacy groups. Upstairs we learned some of the history of the area, appreciated various artifacts, and admired the collection of taxidermy birds. This is a university museum that does what it says it will, and with a free admission no one should complain. Parking was easy to spot and the attendant at the entrance gave us a three hour pass.

While visiting El Paso we went to UTEP because we love the architecture and found the museum. It is…read morea well thought out and carefully maintained exhibit of all things Texas. The duck exhibit was interesting as was the mineral part. Who knew so many minerals in Texas. We really enjoyed the visit and recommend it as a lesson and a way to cool off.

Great place to visit some of El Paso's history. They host many events year round, especially around…read morethe holiday in Christmas. They also host several local lodges here.

A fun museum to visit! A great piece of El Paso history. Many shows are also held here.read more

Wow!! This is an El Paso Gem For those who love history and a little spook - this is your place!!…read moreBe mindful with whether this is age-appropriate for your kiddos and know certain areas are off limits for good reason. Bonnie & Mr. allowed us to come in for a quick moment before their scheduled event was to take place. I usually grab my for pictures, but I was in awe with all the different oddities, history, vintage and awesomeness You will have to go see for yourself. We will definitely be coming back!

I stumbled upon this museum while camping at the state park and needed a day off from the heat…read more This museum is definitely on the quirky side with a wide range of art as previously mentioned - I'll elaborate more in below paragraphs. I can't help but laugh at the "underfunded" comments. This is a local, unique museum: not a MoMA or Dallas Museum of Art with deep pocketed patrons/esses. I don't know of a single small museum that is rolling in extra funds and endowments to afford multiple curators or purchasing well-known works. Help them out and leave a donation if you feel offended by it! I went on a Sunday and there were two artists in person at the museum that were talking to and interacting with guests about their work. They made it a point to talk to every single person in the museum. It was really great to hear about their process and what their works mean to them. The museum features many varieties of exhibits; pre-colonial, Asian, bronze casts, furniture, photography, a huge display of local artist's work, and a case of creepy, definitely not-haunted dolls in the basement. Everyone in your party will find an exhibit they like. I enjoyed a set of tapestries by a local artist and am attaching a picture. Overall, I would recommend visiting this museum! The multiple exhibits, pride in local history, and visiting local artists are high points to this place. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful - I don't mind that they kept out of the way and I had freedom to explore wherever I wanted. No entrance fee, clean bathrooms, and private parking lot are available. Minus one star for a couple of rooms feeling incomplete.

I was invited to join the celebration of the 10th year of The City Magazine - "10 years - 100…read moreissues - 1,000,000 in circulation!" As a transplant I have never heard of the magazine before, but it's wonderful to see people come out and support the legacy that they're building. I knew not one soul there besides the police officer on duty helping out, and I ended up talking to him the whole night. I guess I'm more of the "help" type than a guest. They had cute desserts and a wine bar, and everyone was dressed to the nines! I was dressed like a 3, I can't be bothered nowadays, being so hot to suffer in a tight dress or heels. I'll leave it to Miss Texas 2021 and the other gorgeous ladies in attendance. I'll just gorge myself with the deserts. It was held at the International Museum of Art which is a really beautiful space, albeit hot and cold at times. They have the magazine on display right now and the museum is run on donations. Come check it out and see the treasures they hold. When I was in Paris they used to have these small museums free everywhere and the locals loved going to them as a family outings, it's part of their culture to embrace art and social studies. We're lucky to have similar museums in El Paso. International Museum of Art (915) 543-6747 https://maps.app.goo.gl/UxMJiEujP5Dhif9j7

So proud of my baby sister, Beatrice Macias-Caballero! She's featured at tonight's opening…read morereception at the Rubin Centet for the Visual Arts, along with the artwork of Andy Warhol!

El Paso has a rich history. The Wigwam Museum and other buildings around downtown are proof of it…read more We did a ghost tour of El Paso's Chinatown recently. The tour started at Mac's Downtown and ended at the Wigwam Museum aka the Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society headquarters. El Paso had the largest Chinatown in the state at one time. It eventually disappeared due to strict immigration laws back in the 1800s. A lot of of El Paso's Chinese population lived downtown in boarding houses. Some of the buildings are still standing today. The Chinese were no longer able to immigrate to El Paso due to these tough immigration laws. It's said that there were tunnels in various buildings downtown to smuggle them into El Paso. Those who didn't come into El Paso stayed/lived in Juarez. The ghost tour lady told us which buildings supposedly have underground tunnels in them. The Wigwam is one of them, along with the Plaza Theater, the former Tricky Falls and others. The Chinese came to El Paso from China and California to help build the railroad. They also became business owners. They owned laundries and grocery stores around town. The Wigwam was once called Fashion Saloon. It was built in 1883. It was the first saloon to have electricity. It also offered gambling and was one of five brothels in the El Paso area. It saw its share of gunfighters and heroes of the old west like Pat Garrett and John Wesley Hardin. Hardin's grave is at Concordia Cemetery in central El Paso close to L & J's. The Chinese population is buried at Evergreen Cemetery on Alameda. Once the saloon/brothel were no more, it was redesigned as the Wigwam Theatre in 1909. The theater closed its doors in 1981. The building was damaged by a fire in 2011. It was then refurbished and became the Wigwam Museum/Paranormal Headquarters. After walking around downtown, we went to the Wigwam. We went down into their basement. The technology the ghost tour lady and others had said there was a ghost down there. She and some of the ghost tour participants asked this ghost yes and no questions. If the answer was yes, the light turned green. I believe this ghost's name was Lily. There is a tunnel/tunnels in this building. We were tired and wanted to go home so we cut the tour a little bit short. It was fun and educational to learn more about El Paso's history. I would recommend going on this tour or another one this non-profit offers. The average cost for a 2-hour plus tour is $20/person. For more info., go to https://www.ghosts915.org/