Centennial Museum and Gardens
Located on the University of Texas of El Paso campus you will find a cultural and natural history hidden gem in the form of the Centennial Museum and Gardens!
The Centennial Museum was built during the 1936 Texas Centennial, built to celebrate the anniversary of Texas' independence, making it the oldest museum in the city of El Paso. The permanent exhibits within focus on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert region, the largest desert in North America. The temporary exhibits you will see a focus on themes related to border life and culture, the Americas, and the University's history and current activities.
Be sure to save plenty of time to fully explore the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens onsite, first established in 1999. The garden is a certified Texas Wildscape site and features over 800 native plants or plants adapted to the Chihuahuan Desert region. Walk the nature trails and enjoy the flora along the way, such as the beautiful Leucophyllum frutescent!
There are regularly-hosted lectures, talks, collaboration events, and festivals, the most popular event being FloraFest in April. This event is a 20-year tradition that sells native desert plants to the public while educating them about them and the region. Before you go be sure to see the Lhakhang, the Bhutanese structure open each Wednesday and first Saturday of the month.
