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1325 E. Washington St. Brownsville, Texas 78520

1 (956) 541-5560

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COSTUMES OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

The Costumes of the Americas Museum opened at its new location in September of 2022. The Museum is located at 1004 E. 6th Street in Brownsville. Visit and learn about the rich cultural history of Mexico, Central America, and South America through textiles on display. Rotating exhibits from a collection of over 600 costumes bring to life the stories of ancient cultures and artistic craftsmanship.

Weddings are celebrations of unions around the world. They are the intersection of family, customs, and heritage. Cultures and traditions can vary within the same country and between neighboring regions. In the case of Mexico and Central America, there are diverse wedding attire, ceremonial accessories, and practices. Across Mexico, there are shared religious customs due to the predominant Catholic population, however, some states have unique traditional bridal trajes (dresses) that are drastically different from one another. Nearby countries such as Guatemala and Panama might share similar religious practices and ceremonial customs to those of Mexico due to Spanish colonial influence although, the items that are part of those rituals can typically be made of various types of material and differ in appearance.

The Brownsville Historical Association presents Made for Matrimony an exhibit featuring wedding textiles from Mexico and Central America. The exhibit explores the diversity of styles, colors, and designs of wedding dresses from these regions. From white lace to intricate colorful floral embroidery the exhibit includes an assortment of unique dresses. In addition to bridal vestment, the exhibition includes ceremonial items such as arras (wedding coins) and the lazo (lasso).

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En todo el mundo las bodas son celebraciones de las uniones. Son el vínculo de la familia, las costumbres y el patrimonio. Las culturas y tradiciones pueden variar dentro de un mismo país y entre las regiones. En el caso de México y Centroamérica, existen diversas vestimentas, accesorios ceremoniales y prácticas nupciales. En México son comunes las costumbres religiosas debido a que el catolicismo predomina en la población, sin embargo, algunos estados tienen trajes de novia tradicionales que son muy únicos y diferentes entre sí. Los países vecinos como Guatemala y Panamá, comparten prácticas religiosas y costumbres ceremoniales similares a las de México debido a la influencia Colonial de España; aunque los artículos que forman parte de estos rituales pueden ser hechos de diferentes tipos de materiales y pueden diferir en apariencia.

La Asociación Histórica de Brownsville presenta Made for Matrimony, una exposición de vestimenta de bodas de México y Centroamérica. La exposición explora la diversidad de estilos, colores y diseños de los vestidos de novia de estas regiones. Desde encajes blancos hasta diseños complejos de bordados florales de colores, la exposición incluye diversos vestidos únicos. Además de los vestuarios nupciales, la exposición incluye artículos ceremoniales como las arras (monedas nupciales) y el lazo.

1004 E. Sixth Street 

Brownsville, TX 78520

P: 956.525.7252

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm

CLOSED: Sunday - Monday 

Adult Admission:

Senior Admission:

Student Admission:

Children under 6:

BHA Members:

BISD Students & Teachers:

Military:

$6.00

$4.00

$2.00

FREE

FREE

FREE

FREE

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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