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The Museums and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting summer camps at three of its museums; El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

“We want to encourage our young people to access and use our museums, and our summer camps are fun ways they can explore archaeology, history or art,” said Director of the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department Tracey Jerome. “By providing opportunities like this, we can create a life-long love of our museums and help the youth in our community develop and explore their interests.”

Officials added, “each camp offers age appropriate curriculum that is both fun and educational. The camps are a great opportunity to let young El Pasoans discover what the museums have to offer.”

Activities include learning about the tools and science used by archaeologists, exploring El Paso’s history, and creating masterpieces using different artistic mediums.

The El Paso Museum of Art summer classes start June 26. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology will host two sessions the week of June 19 and July 24. The El Paso Museum of History will host camps starting the week of July 10 through the week of August 7.

Summer camp prices vary by location and activity, and members at the respective museums will receive discounted tuition.

Participants in camps and classes at the El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso Museum of Art are also eligible to sign up for Sun Metro’s Kids on the Go program that provides free bus rides to area youth participating in cultural, educational or recreational activities during the summer.

More information on the Summer Camps is available on the events page of the El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department website.

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department invites everyone to spend the holiday season visiting one of the City’s three museums; El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso Museum Archaeology.

All three museums will be open regular hours through the winter holidays with free family-friendly exhibitions.  In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, all three museums will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1.

• The El Paso Museum of Archaeology offers archery or atl-atl demonstrations on Saturday mornings. The trails around the museum are open for family-friendly hikes.

• The El Paso Museum of History is hosting two free preservation workshops as part of the new exhibition, What We Brought. This exhibition explores what people brought with them when they relocated to El Paso. Visitors can learn how to preserve their family heirlooms during the special workshops. Visitors are encouraged to bring an item to preserve. The workshops are at 2 p.m. December 27 and at 5 p.m. December 28.

• The El Paso Museum of Art has several free, ongoing exhibitions as well as drop-in activities during open studio hours from noon to 2 p.m. December 26 through 29. Each of the workshops are designed for visitors 4 years and older and features an art making activity tied to the museum’s current exhibitions.

Build It Family Workshop, Tuesday, December 26, build homes and buildings with LEGO bricks inspired by the exhibition, Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior.

Print It Family Workshop, Wednesday, December 27, discover the exhibition Gardens of Earthly and Unearthly Delights and create a watercolor monoprint using leaves and flower petals.

Make It Family Workshop, Thursday, December 28, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work was inspired by nature. See the exhibition, Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior and create your own stained glass window cling.

Paint It Family Workshop, Friday, December 20, make a watercolor masterpiece inspired by works from the exhibition, Tom Lea Watercolors and Washes

The City of El Paso Museum of History invites the public to the latest Wall of Giants exhibition, First Steps: A Commemoration of Saint Patrick Cathedral and Cathedral High School, that opens at noon on August 20 at the El Paso Museum of History.

The eighth Wall of Giants installation recognizes the contribution that both institutions have made to the El Paso community. Saint Patrick Cathedral and Cathedral High School have been a central part of the lives of many El Pasoans since their founding.

“Saint Patrick Cathedral and Cathedral High School have a continuous mission of serving the El Paso community and building ties that bring both sides of our border closer,” said El Paso Museum of History Director David Grabitske.

“We are excited to share this piece of El Paso’s history as part of the Circle of Giants.”

The dedication of Saint Patrick Cathedral as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso 100 years ago recognized the city’s growth and importance in relation to other western communities.

For the past 90 years, Cathedral High School has been providing an excellent education to young men in El Paso and Juarez that has prepared them for both academic and professional success. Cathedral’s alumni are recognized leaders in the city, state and nation.

The Wall of Giants is an annual project of the El Paso Museum of History, which honors a person, entity, location, or event that has had an ongoing impact on the city.

The honoree is chosen by a community group called the Circle of Giants. The exhibition features a large graphics wall honoring a chosen individual, group, or institution and a timeline history.

This display includes items from the cathedral and school that highlight their history and ties to the El Paso community as well as other artifacts from the Museum’s collections.

The free exhibition will be on display through February 2018.

The El Paso Museum of History invites the community to a walking tour of South El Paso Street that highlights the history of El Paso’s movie theaters starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, in front of the Plaza Theatre.

“South El Paso Street has drastically changed over the years since El Pasoans watched films at theatres like The Estrella, The Colon and The Plaza. This photo exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to look back and see how the landscape of El Paso’s downtown has changed over the years,” said Assistant Director of Museums and Cultural Affairs Ben Fyffe.

The tour is part of a series of walking tours by the Museum of History that will be held the last Thursday of the month through September. The tours include discussions and stops at locations that were once classic El Paso theaters.

In addition, the El Paso Museum of History has partnered with the El Paso Community Foundation and the Plaza Classic Film Festival to highlight the history of El Paso’s movie places with the exhibit South El Paso Street: Broadway of the Southwest that is on display at the Museum of History.

The museum will host a series of history talks about El Paso’s classic movie theaters, as well as a family play day with a movie theme.

For more information and for schedule of activities, visit the El Paso Museum of History’s website or call (915) 212-0320.

The El Paso Museum of History invites the public to attend a new lecture series, Focus on Perspectives, with the honorable Consul of Spain in El Paso, Martha Vera.

Vera will combine the importance of dance and music in her life, life after her near-death experience, the importance of history both personal and regional, and working toward community enrichment locally and globally.

She has lived a life of music, dance, business and community enrichment. Dancing since the age of four, she studied under Ingeborg Heuser in Ballet El Paso and Oskar Antunez with Ballet Chrysalis.

Vera is an avid Argentine tango dancer and a Coloratura Soprano.

Vera holds a Master’s degree in biology and biochemistry, serves as the Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, is President of the board for Pro Musica, and is a member of the board for the World Affairs Council.

Focus on Perspectives is a free, once-a-month lecture series sponsored in part by a grant from Humanities Texas and by the El Paso Museum of History. Humanities Texas is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Museum of History will host additional Focus on Perspectives lectures monthly through October. Upcoming speakers are include; Author Dave Gutierrez on August 10; Author Daniel Chacon on September 14; and Author Cristina Palmer on October 10.

Vera’s lecture starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 at the museum which is located at 510 North Santa Fe Street in Downtown El Paso.

For more information on the free Focus on Perspectives lecture series and to R.S.V.P., call the El Paso Museum of History at(915) 212-3161.

The City of El Paso and the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) is pleased to announce Dr. David Grabitske has been selected as the new Director of the El Paso Museum of History.

“We are excited to have David join our leadership team. His knowledge and experience will be instrumental as we continue to grow and enhance our programming and exhibits at the Museum of History,” said Museums and Cultural Affairs Department Director Tracey Jerome.

Dr. Grabitske comes to the El Paso Museum of History from the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, Minn. where he served as the State History Services Manager since 2007.

While at the Historical Society, Dr. Grabitske increased fundraising; enhanced collection management; and grew public programs attendance. He is nationally recognized in his field, is a sought after presenter and served on several national boards.

Dr. Grabitske is also a published author who wrote and co-authored four books and has published 117 scholarly articles. His 2012 book, Building Museums: A Handbook For Small and Midsize Organziations, was nominated for a 2013 Minnesota Book Award.

Dr. Grabitske holds a Doctor of Business Administration and a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minneapolis. He received a Bachelor of Science in History from Minnesota State University.

The El Paso Museum of History exists for the educational benefit of the community and visitors. It promotes the understanding and significance of the rich, multicultural and multinational history of the border region known as the Pass of the North.

He will begin his new role as El Paso Museum Director at the end of July.

The MCAD selected Dr. Grabitske following an extensive recruitment and vetting process that included community stakeholders.

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and the El Paso Public Library invite the public to take advantage of several free family-friendly activities in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, August 20.

The Downtown Art and Farmers Market is great place where families can pick up locally grown produce or homemade jams and jellies from market vendors. Kids can also work on back-to-school themed arts and crafts with one of the market-teaching artists. The market is located on Anthony Street and is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The El Paso Museum of Art, located at 1 Arts Festival Plaza, invites families to learn about Mexican folk-art traditions through the Museum’s retablos collection. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitors can be the first to play the new EPMA Retablo Loteria and listen to mariachi music provided by Mariachi Azetca from El Dorado High School and Los Gavilanes from Socorro High School.

Children ages 6 to 14 can head to the Creation Lab to create their entry for the 20th Anniversary Children’s Drawing Contest, Este es mi México (Let’s Draw about Mexican Music and Traditions). Refreshments will also be provided.

The El Paso Museum of History invites visitors to learn about the Woman’s Club of El Paso while making arts and crafts from the border region. Activities will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum located at 510 N. Santa Fe. There will also be a guided tour of A ‘Giant’ Story: When Hollywood Came to West Texas at 11 a.m.

The El Paso Public Library will host an end of summer party at its main branch, 501 N. Oregon. Starting at11 a.m. visitors can play classic video games with Empire of Gaming or enjoy an obstacle course, water balloons and more. There will also be a scratch art workshop for adults at 2 p.m.

The El Paso Museum of History is honored to work with the El Paso Community Foundation and the Plaza Classic Film Festival to host A ‘Giant’ Story: When Hollywood Came to West Texas that opens to the public on Thursday, July 28.

A ‘Giant’ Story will include costumes worn by Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean and Rock Hudson on loan from the Warner Bros. Corporate Archive and photos, production art and documents from the George Stevens Collection at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

It also will feature photos and other memorabilia from the collections of El Pasoan Wally Cech, who worked as a waitress on the Marfa shoot, and Nancy Hamilton, who covered the premiere for the El Paso Times.

“The El Paso Museum of History is thrilled to continue our partnership with the El Paso Community Foundation and the Plaza Classic Film Festival to provide insight into this film which directly touched so many in our community,” said Interim Director of the El Paso Museum of History Ben Fyffe.

Based on the Edna Ferber best-seller, Giant chronicles a quarter century in the life of rancher Bick Benedict (Hudson) and his Eastern-bred wife Leslie (Taylor), the advent of big oil and racial relations between Anglos and Mexican-Americans.

Tours, lectures and screenings of related films, including Texas filmmaker Hector Galan’s 2015 documentary, Children of Giant, will be part of the Giant celebration.

The free exhibit runs through September 18. For more information, call the Museum of History at 212-0320 or visithttp://history.elpasotexas.gov/

The El Paso Museum of History invites the public to learn more about buffalo soldiers with a discussion from Dr. John Langellier who wrote, Fighting for Uncle Sam: Buffalo Soldiers in the Frontier Army, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 24.

Buffalo Soldiers have been a part of the military history of the southwest primarily protecting settlers on their westward journey. On July 28, 1866, the United States Congress voted on the Army Reorganization Act that created six regiments manned by black soldiers.

Many of these soldiers earned their freedom through service in the Union forces during the Civil War. In time, these men came to be known as buffalo soldiers

Dr. Langellier’s book is available for purchase at the Museum Gift Store, and he will be available for signings.

International Museum Day will bring the world to El Paso when the nation’s only Digital Wall will display the cultural landscapes of Copenhagen and Cairo from May 18 through May 22.

“El Paso has a unique opportunity to share our history with the world through our Digital Wall. By hosting Copenhagen and Cairo, our residents can visit the world without leaving their backyard,” said Ben Fyffe, Interim Director of the El Paso Museum of History.

Every year on May 18, the International Council of Museums hosts events at more than 35,000 museums in more than 145 countries to celebrate museums as an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.

Each participating city will host the digital wall of the others, allowing each to explore the vastly different cultural landscapes. The guest walls will each occupy their own touch screen segment of the host wall, so that visitors can interact with each of the three city walls.

The El Paso Museum of History is recognizing the significant role that the Women’s Club of El Paso plays in our community by honoring the organization in this year’s Wall of Giants exhibit that opens on Sunday, May 8, at the Museum of History.

The Wall of Giants is an annual project of the El Paso Museum of History, which honors a person, entity, location, or event that has had an ongoing impact on the city. The honoree is chosen by a community group called the Circle of Giants. The exhibit features a large graphics wall honoring the icon and includes a timeline.

The Woman’s Club of El Paso has been a dynamic force in our community for more than a century. As the association celebrates the 100th anniversary of its clubhouse, the museum took this opportunity to recognize the organization in a full-scale exhibition.

This display will include furnishings and memorabilia on loan from the Women’s Club, historic clothing and other artifacts from the Museum’s collections, as well as a section featuring women’s history in El Paso. The items on display will change every few months throughout its year-long stay.

“The Women’s Club of El Paso was responsible for many firsts in Texas and in El Paso including founding the first library, first free public kindergarten and the first hospital. We are honored to showcase this organization’s achievements,” said Interim Director of the El Paso Museum of History Ben Fyffe.

The exhibit is free and open to the public starting May 8 through April 22, 2017.

The El Paso Museum of History invites the public to learn about El Paso children with the opening of the exhibit Through a Child’s Eyes: Growing up in El Paso (1880-1950) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, at the Museum of History located at 510 N. Santa Fe.

Through a Child’s Eyes: Growing Up in El Paso (1880 – 1950) will explore what life was like for children in El Paso during a time when the city shifted to a more youthful population and there was an increasing awareness nationally about the well-being of children.

Using archival photographs, as well as artifacts from individuals and the museum’s collection, the museum invites visitors to learn about historic children while putting themselves into historical context.

Through a Child’s Eyes was created by students from the University of Texas at El Paso. Graduate students taking a Public History course provided historic research on the lives of children, and students in the Museum Studies class helped develop the exhibition.

The museum will have free crafts and activities, as well as a maypole dance demonstration. Visitors can also watch theater style presentations of oral histories.

The exhibit is free and will be open through July 10, 2016.