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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

‍Grow a Beard, Pay the Fine, or Get Arrested!

‍Please make your donation by clicking the Beard Posse Donation button below.

‍“The Grand Order of the Brush” was founded in 1938 by Alex Austin (A.A.) Hargrove. “Daddy” Hargrove as he was known was a local businessman, civic leader and friend of Charro Days founder Kenneth Faxon. The Order established fines for those men not having a beard and set a custom that the residents of Brownsville should not shave from January 1st to the completion of Charro Days. The tradition continues as the 20 member Beard Posse patrols the streets looking for the unshaven. 

‍All fines collected by the Beard Posse are donated to the Brownsville Historical Association and your donations support educational programs hosted throughout the year. Please make your donation beginning January 23rd through March 2nd, 2025.

Historic Alonso Building Sticker

GIFT STORE SPECIALS

Collectible BHA Keychains & Stickers, please click on button below and see all the newly featured items.

BHA Shot Glass

Scout, Museum Mascot Sticker

BHA Shot Glass

BHA Collectible Sticker

Laureles Ranch House Museum Sticker

BHA collectible sticker.
BHA collectible sticker.

Stillman House Museum Sticker

BHA Collectible Keychain

RGV Railroad Engine Keychain

BHA  Collectible Keychain

Man Vehicle Key Chain

BHA collectible sticker.

MUSEUMS

LAURELES RANCH HOUSE MUSEUM

1501 East 7th Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.372.1515

BROWNSVILLE HERITAGE MUSEUM

1325 E. Washington Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.541.5560

STILLMAN HOUSE MUSEUM

1325 E. Washington Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.541.5560

HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM

 641 E Madison Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.548.1313

COSTUMES OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

1004 E. Sixth Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.525.7252

RENTALS

HISTORIC ALONSO BUILDING

510 E. Saint Charles Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.554.4965

MARY A. YTURRIA EDUCATION CENTER AT HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM

 641 E Madison Street

Brownsville, TX 78520

956.548.1313

MARKET SQUARE EVENT HALL

625 East 12th St.

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.

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 January, February, and March programs possible: Linda Mireles, Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, UTRGV CHAPS, Dr.  Roseann Bacha-Garza, Dr. W.F. Strong, Dr. Anthony Knopp, Larry Holtzman, Dr. Jackie Kyger, Beard Posse “Order of the Brush”, and David Parsons.


Charro Days Museum Hours

The Historic Brownsville Museum, located at 641 E. Madison, will closed Thursday through Saturday, February 27 – March 1, 2025. Costumes of the Americas Museum will be OPEN normal hours. The Heritage and Stillman House Museums, located at 1325 E. Washington, will close EARLY on Thursday, February 27th  at 1pm, OPEN Friday, February 28th, and CLOSED ALL DAY  Saturday,  March 1st .

EXHIBITS

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

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

Duration:  November 19, 2024- May 16, 2025

Cost: Included with paid museum admission.

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. Fashioning Her legacy: Josefa Ibarra will be on display at the Costumes of the Americas Museum from November 19, 2024- May 16, 2025.

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. 








EVENTS

Winter Walking Tour: Fort Brown

When: Saturday, February 15, 2025

Time: 11 a.m.

Where: Meet at the Brownsville Heritage Museum, 1325 E. Washington Street

Cost: $10 for BHA members and $15 for non-members. Sorry, no refunds. Rain or shine.

RSVP by calling: (956) 541-5560

Fort Brown was an important military post on the US-Mexican border. This fort saw various conflicts including the Mexican American War and the Civil War. BHA Board Member, Dr. Anthony Knopp, will lead you through the Fort Brown and its buildings; many of which are still in use today. Tour is limited to 25 people.


Historical Happy Hour: Viva Order of the Brush!

When: Friday, February 21, 2025

Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E. Madison Street

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

RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313

Come celebrate with the BHA as we kick off Charro Days at the Historic Brownsville Museum! Event is open to those aged 21 years old and over. 


“Ranch Days” at Laureles

When: Every Saturday in March

Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Laureles Ranch House Museum, 1501 E. 7th Street 

Cost: Guided tours $5 per person.

Experience the Historic Laureles Ranch House Museum y’all! In honor of Texas History Month, the BHA will open the doors to the Laureles Ranch House (located in Linear Park) every Saturday morning in March. Guided tours of the house will be available until 12 noon. Visit our Facebook and Instagram for more information and details for “Ranch Days”. 


Historical Happy Hour: Celebrating Texas History Month!

When: Friday, March 21, 2025

Time: 5 - 7 p.m.

Where: Laureles Ranch House Museum, 1501 E. 7th Street

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

RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313

Celebrate Texas History Month with the BHA at the Historic Laureles Ranch House with Texan wine and beer samples. Event is open to those age 21 years old and over.



















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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