Brownsville Historical Association logo

1325 E. Washington St. Brownsville, Texas 78520

1 (956) 541-5560

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Discover our History, Heritage & Cultural Arts

‍Since 1947, the BHA has served the local community and created opportunities for every resident to learn about, participate with, and come to an appreciation of the connection between our history and cultural art. We are able to serve the community through our various museums that cover nearly every aspect of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley’s history and culture.

‍The mission of the Brownsville Historical Association is to preserve, educate, and promote the history, heritage, and cultural arts of Brownsville, Texas, and its environs through exhibitions, educational programs, publications, cultural events, and archival collections. The vision of BHA is to improve the quality of life for all residents of Brownsville, Texas, and its environs by providing life-long learning experiences about the history, cultural arts, and heritage of the region, and to continue to attract tourism to the heart of Historic Downtown Brownsville.

‍The Brownsville Historical Association serves the community through eight unique locations and numerous programs throughout the year. We encourage you to consider becoming a member of the BHA to take advantage of everything we have to offer.

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm

Sundays - Mondays: CLOSED

ADMISSION RATES

Historic Brownsville Museum or Heritage Museum and Stillman House Museum:

Adults

Seniors

Students

Children Under 6

Members

BISD Students & Teachers

Military

DAY PASS

Day Pass to the Historic Brownsville Museum, Heritage Museum, and Stillman House Museum is valid for one week after purchase:

Adults

Seniors

Students

$6.00

$4.00

$2.00

Free

Free

Free

Free

$12.00

$ 8.00

$ 4.00

MUSEUMS

BROWNSVILLE HERITAGE MUSEUM

1325 E. Washington Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.541.5560

COSTUMES OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

1004 E. Sixth Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.525.7252

STILLMAN HOUSE MUSEUM

1325 E. Washington Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.541.5560

LAURELES RANCH HOUSE MUSEUM

1501 East 7th Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.372.1515

HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM

 641 E Madison Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.548.1313

RENTALS

MARY A. YTURRIA EDUCATION CENTER AT HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM

 641 E Madison Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.548.1313

LAURELES RANCH HOUSE MUSEUM GROUNDS

1501 East 7th Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.372.1515

STILLMAN HOUSE GARDENS

1325 E. Washington Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.541.5560

‍Historical Landmark: Old City Cemetery

‍The Old City Cemetery was established in 1853 and is recognized as an outstanding historical landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery reveals much of the city's history; from victims of war and gunfights, to those who died from yellow fever and cholera epidemics. Those buried here reveal the hard life and the early conditions of a Texas border town. The Cemetery is located on East Madison Street and East 5th Street and is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM.

HISTORIC ALONSO BUILDING

510 E. Saint Charles Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.554.4965

MARKET SQUARE EVENT HALL

625 East 12th St.

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.548.1313

GET INVOLVED

Our members enjoy more. We want you to be part of our museums, experience our educational programs and attend our events.  Become a member today!

We would like to thank our partners, sponsors and contributors for making our April, May and June programs possible. These include:  Linda Mireles, Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Ms. Marivel Graham (B.I.S.D.), UTRGV CHAPS, Roseann Bacha-Garza, Dr. Jackie Kyger, Juan Velez and Glenn Simpson of Bay Bees.

EXHIBITS

NOW EXTENDED! Costumes of the Americas Museum Exhibit: Fashioning Her Legacy: Josefa Ibarra

Location:  Costumes of the Americas Museum, 1004 E. Sixth Street

Duration:  Through June, 2025

Cost: Paid museum admission required.

Discover the vibrant world of Josefa Ibarra through this exclusive exhibit featuring thirty original textiles from the private collection of Linda Mireles. Renowned in Mexico and the United States during the 1960s-1980s, Ibarra's work is celebrated for its bold caftans and abstract designs, deeply influenced by Mexican indigenous culture. Each garment, meticulously handmade in Mexico, revolutionized the fashion world by challenging conventional design norms and material usage. This collection celebrates Ibarra's legacy and her innovative contributions to the world of fashion.

This program is supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.


CHAPS Exhibit - Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight 

Duration: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 through May 27, 2025 

Location: Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E Madison Street

Cost: Exhibit included with paid museum admission.

Ancient landscapes surround us but are invisible to most. When it comes to human perceptions of our broader natural landscape, it may seem that it is immutable and unchanging. Residents and visitors of the Rio Grande Valley may step over millions of years of history that included volcanic eruptions, 27-million-year-old petrified logs, 42-million-year-old giant oyster shells, and projectile points used by humans for over 12,000 years. Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight illuminates the unique landscape and helps curious minds to understand the natural processes that formed South Texas. The Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) celebrates the story of the broader South Texas region from prehistory to present. 


BISD Student Exhibit:  Art without Limits: A Celebration of All Abilities

Exhibit Runs: April 5 – April 25, 2025

Where: Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E. Madison Street

Cost: Included with paid museum admission. Free for BISD students and teachers (with I.D.)

The reception is free and open to the public. Museum admission fees apply to all other days of the exhibition.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Brownsville Independent School District’s Fine Arts Department in partnership with the BHA., invite the community to celebrate all abilities in its latest exhibit Art Without Limits. Beautiful and original art work by students of all age levels will be on display. 

EVENTS

Real Places 2025 Conference: Preserving Historic Texas

When: April 23-25

Where: Austin, Texas

Registration is open now for Real Places 2025! Join us April 23-25 in Austin or online for the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism conference in the Lone Star State: http://realplaces.us

Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission and Phoenix I Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places provides an opportunity for preservationists and officials to network and learn with County Historical Commissions, Main Street managers, historic preservation officers, architects and engineers, historians, archeologists, museum curators and managers, interpreters, as well as THC staff, Texas Heritage Trail Regions, and many partner organizations.


Historical Happy Hour: Celebrating Preservation Month 

When: Friday, May 9, 2025

Time: 5 - 7pm

Where: Historic Alonso Building, 510 E. Saint Charles St., Brownsville, TX 78520

Cost:  Free for BHA members, $15 when you RSVP, $20 at the door. Sorry, no refunds.

RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313

Come and mingle with fellow preservationists at the beautiful Historic Alonso building in honor of historic preservation month.  Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states. This event is open to the public and for adults 21 years old and older only.


Nailed it!  A Journey through Preservation: Saint Charles Street District 

Where: Historic Alonso Building, 510 E. Saint Charles Street

When:  Saturday, May 17, 2025

Time:  Tour starts at 10am, Luncheon at 12N (Meet at the Historic Alonso building for check in 15 minutes before tour start time)

In honor of Preservation Month the BHA is featuring an exclusive architectural walking tour with Brownsville’s Historic Preservation Officer, Juan Velez. The tour offers a behind the scenes look at four historic structures on Saint Charles Street followed by a luncheon at the Historic Alonso building and presentation.  

Cost: Attendees may choose to pay and register for the walking tour, luncheon, and presentation OR the luncheon and presentation only.

•    $65 for Walking Tour, Luncheon, & Presentation

•    $45 for Luncheon and Presentation only

$5 dollars off per reservation for current BHA members.

Please RSVP by calling (956) 548-1313 or send an email to mcasas@brownsvillehistory.org 


International Museum Day

When: Saturday, May 17, 2025

Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Heritage Museum/Stillman House Museum, Costumes of the Americas Museum, and Historic Brownsville Museum

Cost: FREE Admission Day!

For more information, please call: 956-548-1313

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. We hope that you bring your friends and family to visit our museums free of charge all DAY!


Memorial Day at the Old City Cemetery

Where: Old City Cemetery, Corner of 5th Street & E. Madison Street

For more information or if you would like to volunteer on Saturday morning, May 24th, to place flags, please call Dave Parsons at (956) 541-5560.

Join us as we honor the veterans buried at the Old City Cemetery. Over 450 identified veterans representing wars from theIndianWars, World War I & II, and the Persian Gulf War are buried in the Old City Cemetery. Those buried represent both Union and Confederate Soldiers and several from the Mexican Revolution of the early 1900s. A U.S. flag will be placed on each identified veterans' grave. Volunteers to place flags are welcome.

BROWNSVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

1325 E. Washington Street 

Brownsville, Texas 78520

1 (956) 541-5560

BROWNSVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

1325 E. Washington Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520

1 (956) 541-5560 

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