The El Paso Museum of History offers visitors a bilingual, multi-cultural experience through exhibitions that focus on the history of El Paso del Norte (The Pass of the North). The permanent and rotating exhibitions in the museum’s six galleries feature history beginning from pre-Spanish contact to present.
Environment On The Edge: Climate Justice In El Paso
Aug 15, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024
1st Floor, Juan & Linda Uribe Community Gallery
Pop-up exhibition open starting August 15, 2024 - September 2025
The Sun City is getting hotter, faster. Environment on the Edge is El Paso’s first exhibition dedicated to climate (in)justice in our city. This show asserts that climate justice is an important part of El Paso’s heritage, and highlights the citizens living on the frontlines of climate change. It is a labor of love for our environment and a rallying call to all those who call the borderland home.
By no means a comprehensive review, the works featured here are case studies in the struggle for climate justice at the border. “Polluted Past” utilizes archival images to expose the roots of environmental degradation, from resource extraction to the long legacies of colonization. “Critical Present” captures the urgency of this moment in time through the lens of artists and organizers responding to ecological destruction. Finally, “Imagined Futures” shares the tools used to effect change and invites visitors to dream of the El Paso we can collectively build through organizing.
This exhibition was curated by Amancer People’s Project, a local power-building organization fighting for clean air, clean water, and community power.
El Paso’s Homegrown: The Korean War
Jul 27, 2024 - Jul 26, 2025
2nd Floor, Gallery C
“El Paso’s Homegrown: The Korean War” is an original exhibition dedicated to exploring El Pasoans and the Korean War (1950 - 1953). Opening on the anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, this exhibit will showcase the many facets of El Pasoans' experiences, from their service abroad in Korea to their lives as Korean and Korean-American citizens. In addition to artifacts from the conflict itself, the exhibit will also feature Korean history, culture, and the ongoing relationship between the United States and Korea. This exhibit is the latest in the ongoing series El Paso’s Homegrown, which began in 2022 with an exhibit about El Pasoans and World War II.
“El Paso’s Homegrown: The Korean War” opens to the public at 1pm on Saturday, July 27 and will be on display through July 2025!
Neighborhoods & Shared Memories: Rio Grande to Franklin Heights
Jun 20, 2024 - May 20, 2025
2nd Floor, Neighborhoods Gallery
"Neighborhoods & Shared Memories: Rio Grande to Franklin Heights" will showcase the extensive history of the Rio Grande district leading to its neighboring area, Franklin Heights.This new exhibition will highlight the development of the neighborhoods in Central El Paso from the 1910s through the 1930s and will examine topics such as architecture, places of worship, education, working class histories, and waves of gentrification. It will also feature historical figures such as Maestro Abraham Chavez Jr., Judge Burges, Judge Howe, the Lea Family and the Turney Family.
This exhibit is part of an ongoing series that features historic neighborhoods throughout El Paso focusing on race, class, and gender. Previously exhibited neighborhoods include Chihuahuita, Segundo Barrio, Sunset Heights, Manhattan Heights and South Central. “Rio Grande to Franklin Heights” will be on display through May 2025.
Musica Sin Fronteras: Twentieth Century To Now
Apr 27, 2024 -
1st Floor, Gallery B
Musica Sin Fronteras: Twentieth Century to Now invites audiences to explore the vibrant and diverse musical landscape that has thrived along the frontera throughout the greater part of the 20th century to the present. From dynamic musicians to iconic bands, from eclectic genres to renowned studios and venues, this exhibition celebrates the rich tapestry of musical heritage that calls the borderlands home. Musica Sin Fronteras delves into the evolution of diverse musical communities, venues, and cultures that emerged during the economic boom at the turn of the century, shaping the unique identity of the frontera music scene. This immersive experience not only recognizes but also revels in the profound contributions upon national and international music landscapes, offering visitors an unforgettable sonic experience.
This exhibition will be on display through April 2025.
Dualidad: Indigenous Gender Identity in the American Southwest and Mexico
Mar 28, 2024 -
2nd Floor, Gallery D
“Dualidad” is a look into the Southwestern United States and Mexican Indigenous tribes, and their connection to community members who identified as gender-nonconforming including the concepts of individuals possessing both male and female identities. Throughout the process of colonization and its devastating effects to regional cultural identities, the respect and recognition of Two Spirit people has been lost, diminishing their roles in society. However, many Two Spirit and gender-nonconforming individuals have worked to regain their power and place in the community and culture through education, healing, and art practices.
This exhibition will highlight the Zuni, Diné, Apache, Laguna/Acoma/Pueblo, Mexica, Rarámuri and Zapoteca tribes who have honored gender-nonconforming individuals as foundational members of their culture as well as artists, medicine people, and visionaries within their given community.
“Dualidad: Indigenous Gender Identity in the American Southwest and Mexico” is on display through March 2025.
