1325 E. Washington Street | Brownsville, Texas 78520 | info@brownsvillehistory.org | 1 (956) 541-5560
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Discover our History, Heritage & Cultural Arts
With 75 years of service, the Brownsville Historical Association is dedicated to serving the local community and creating 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 nine 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. For more information, feel free to contact the Brownsville Historical Association during business hours.
Blue Star Museums | National Endowment for the Arts
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.
Heritage Museum
Historic AlonSo Building
Stillman house MUSEUM
Historic brownsville museum & Mary Yturria Education Center
market square EVENT HALL / research center
Historic Laureles
Ranch house Museum
COSTUMES OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM
Admission Rates
Historic Brownsville Museum or Heritage Museum and Stillman House Museum:
Adults
Seniors
Students
Children Under 6
Members
BISD Students & Teachers
Military
$6.00
$4.00
$2.00
Free
Free
Free
Free
Day Pass
Day Pass to the Historic Brownsville Museum, Heritage Museum, and Stillman House Museum:
Adults
Seniors
Students
$10.00
$ 6.00
$ 3.00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EXHIBITS
CHAPS Exhibit: War & Peace on The Rio Grande, 1861-1867
Location: Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E Madison Street
Duration: April 5 - July 30, 2022
Cost: Exhibit included with paid museum admission.
The Brownsville Historical Association, in collaboration with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, will host “War and Peace on the Rio Grande, 1861-1867,” an exhibit designed, developed, and produced by the Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) and regional museum consultants. The exhibit recounts the Civil War era from 1846-1876 and how it affected the Rio Grande Valley, using panels, pictures, artifacts and mannequins dressed in the attire of the era.
BISD Student Exhibit: Autism Awareness
When: April 23 – May 7, 2022
Where: Heritage Museum, Vezzetti Room, 1325 E. Washington Street
Cost: Included with paid museum admission. Free for BISD students and teachers (with I.D.)
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Brownsville Independent School District’s Fine Arts Department in partnership with BHA, invites the community to celebrate their Annual Autism Awareness Student Exhibit. Beautiful and original artwork by students of all age levels will be on display.
EVENTS
International Museum Day
When: Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Heritage Museum/Stillman House 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!
PLEASE NOTE: All BHA museums will close at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022 in preparation for a special event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Historical Happy Hour: Let’s Play Lotería!
When: Friday, May 20, 2022
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: Historic Brownsville Museum
641 E Madison Street
Cost: Free for BHA members, $10 if you RSVP and pay before the event, $15 at the door. Sorry no refunds.
For more information, please (956) 548-1313
Lotería is a game of chance, similar to bingo, but uses images on a deck of cards instead of plain numbers on ping pong balls. Are you ready to play? Be sure to check our Facebook event page for this month's featured beers. Attendees must be 21 years & older. Thank you, L&F Distributors, for making this program possible. (All cards and game pieces will be provided to guests. Bringing your own playing cards is encouraged as well.)
Memorial Day at the Old City Cemetery
When: Monday, May 30, 2022
Where: Old City Cemetery
Corner of 5th Street & E. Madison Street
For more information or if you would like to volunteer on May 28th 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 the Indian Wars, 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.
Sip N’ Paint at the Laureles Ranch House Museum
When: Thursday, June 16, 2022
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Laureles Ranch House in Linear Park, 1501 E. 7th Street
Cost: Individual tickets are $20 for members & $30 for non-members.
Or $30 per couple with membership and $40 per couple for non-members.
Sorry, no refunds.
Seating is limited; RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313
Spend the evening at the Laureles Ranch House and follow along step-by-step with local artist Becky Arguelles as you create a one-of-a- kind masterpiece while you sip on your drink of choice. Fee includes the following materials: paint, canvas, easel, and brushes. The event will begin promptly, so please arrive 15 minutes early to check in and find a seat. Event open for those 21 years old and over. Please follow us on our social media platforms for more information. Thank you to L&F Distributors for making this program possible.
Brownsville Trivia Night
When: Thursday, June 23, 2022
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Alonso Building, 510 East Saint Charles Street
Cost: Free for BHA members, $10 when you RSVP, $15 at the door. Sorry, no refunds.
RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313
Join us in celebrating the BHA’s 75 years anniversary by participating in our Trivia Night! Face off with others on a variety of Brownsville and BHA-related history questions. Follow us on Facebook for the information that will be asked during the event. Event is open to those aged 21 years old and over. Thank you to L&F Distributors for making this program possible.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sundays - Mondays: CLOSED
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Old City Cemetery Center
